Alert archive / Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 19, NWS Blacksburg, VA

April 16, 2011Charlotte County, Halifax County, Virginia

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this tornado warning at Apr 16, 2011, 2:56 PM EDT for Charlotte County, Halifax County, Virginia. It was in force for 37 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: Apr 16, 2011, 2:56 PM EDT (18:56 UTC)
Expired: Apr 16, 2011, 3:33 PM EDT
In force: 37 min
Issued by: NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area: Storm-based polygon

Counties Charlotte County, VA, Halifax County, VA

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 142 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:58 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Apr 16, 3:20 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 Nne Charlotte Court H, VA	TREE DOWN

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Apr 16, 12:02 PM EDT	Tornado Watch PDS	SPC	11 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 12:00Z, 6.9 hours before the alert went out and 76 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 1 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: 0 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 480 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 76 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 747 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 975 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

063 
WFUS51 KRNK 161856
TORRNK
VAC037-083-161945-
/O.NEW.KRNK.TO.W.0019.110416T1856Z-110416T1945Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
256 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  EASTERN HALIFAX COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA
  CHARLOTTE COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA

* UNTIL 345 PM EDT.

* AT 253 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR HALIFAX...
  MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  MT LAUREL...
  SAXE...
  DRAKES BRANCH...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE...SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARBY REINFORCED
BUILDING. AS A LAST RESORT...SEEK SHELTER IN A CULVERT...DITCH OR LOW
SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO...PLEASE RELAY YOUR SEVERE WEATHER REPORTS
TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY CALLING TOLL FREE AT...1...8 6
6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT SATURDAY EVENING
FOR NORTHWESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3665 7893 3674 7905 3720 7865 3716 7861
      3715 7859 3715 7855 3713 7850 3711 7850
      3709 7845
TIME...MOT...LOC 1856Z 228DEG 39KT 3680 7887

$$

RCS

3 follow-up statements

078 
WWUS51 KRNK 161909
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
309 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

VAC037-083-161945-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0019.000000T0000Z-110416T1945Z/
HALIFAX VA-CHARLOTTE VA-
309 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM EDT FOR CHARLOTTE
AND NORTHEASTERN HALIFAX COUNTIES...

AT 307 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MT LAUREL...OR
NEAR CLOVER...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  SAXE...
  DRAKES BRANCH...
  CHARLOTTE COURT HOUSE...
  ABILENE...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE...SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARBY REINFORCED
BUILDING. AS A LAST RESORT...SEEK SHELTER IN A CULVERT...DITCH OR LOW
SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER...PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG AT...1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4...WHEN YOU CAN
DO SO SAFELY.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT SATURDAY EVENING
FOR NORTHWESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3683 7873 3692 7889 3720 7865 3716 7861
      3715 7859 3715 7855 3713 7850 3711 7850
      3709 7845
TIME...MOT...LOC 1909Z 222DEG 49KT 3693 7872

$$

RCS

053 
WWUS51 KRNK 161921
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
321 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

VAC083-161931-
/O.CAN.KRNK.TO.W.0019.000000T0000Z-110416T1945Z/
HALIFAX VA-
321 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN HALIFAX COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT SATURDAY EVENING
FOR NORTHWESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3692 7863 3700 7874 3720 7865 3716 7861
      3715 7859 3715 7855 3713 7850 3711 7850
      3709 7845
TIME...MOT...LOC 1921Z 224DEG 51KT 3705 7858

$$

VAC037-161945-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0019.000000T0000Z-110416T1945Z/
CHARLOTTE VA-
321 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM EDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN CHARLOTTE COUNTY...

AT 316 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR DRAKES BRANCH...OR
NEAR CHARLOTTE COURT HOUSE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 60 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  CHARLOTTE COURT HOUSE...
  ABILENE...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE...SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARBY REINFORCED
BUILDING. AS A LAST RESORT...SEEK SHELTER IN A CULVERT...DITCH OR LOW
SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER...PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG AT...1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4...WHEN YOU CAN
DO SO SAFELY.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT SATURDAY EVENING
FOR NORTHWESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3692 7863 3700 7874 3720 7865 3716 7861
      3715 7859 3715 7855 3713 7850 3711 7850
      3709 7845
TIME...MOT...LOC 1921Z 224DEG 51KT 3705 7858

$$

RCS

057 
WWUS51 KRNK 161933
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
333 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

VAC037-161943-
/O.CAN.KRNK.TO.W.0019.000000T0000Z-110416T1945Z/
CHARLOTTE VA-
333 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN CHARLOTTE COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

THE TORNADO THREAT FOR THE WARNED AREA HAS ENDED. THE THUNDERSTORM
PRODUCING THE TORNADO HAS WEAKENED AND MOVED OUT OF THE WARNING AREA.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...TV OR YOUR LOCAL NEW SOURCE FOR
THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION. REPORT ANY SEVERE WEATHER OR STORM
RELATED DAMAGE TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS AND ASK THEM TO
IMMEDIATELY RELAY THE REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN
BLACKSBURG.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT SATURDAY EVENING
FOR NORTHWESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA.

LAT...LON 3692 7863 3700 7874 3720 7865 3716 7861
      3715 7859 3715 7855 3713 7850 3711 7850
      3709 7845
TIME...MOT...LOC 1933Z 224DEG 51KT 3717 7843

$$

RCS

The office that day

Everything else NWS Blacksburg, VA issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Apr 16, 9:35 AM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	RNK	Carroll, Floyd, Grayson, Patrick, City of Galax	5 hr
Apr 16, 9:58 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Grayson, Wythe	32 min
Apr 16, 11:27 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Alleghany, Bath, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd and 8 more	63 min
Apr 16, 12:10 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Carroll, Floyd, Franklin, Montgomery, Roanoke, City of Roanoke and 1 more	65 min
Apr 16, 12:16 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Alleghany, Bath, Botetourt, Craig, Montgomery, Roanoke and 1 more	59 min
Apr 16, 12:24 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	RNK	Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, Montgomery, Roanoke, City of Covington and 2 more	4 hr
Apr 16, 1:04 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	RNK	Bedford, Floyd, Franklin, Patrick, Roanoke	3 hr
Apr 16, 1:06 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Alleghany, Bath, Bedford, Botetourt, Rockbridge, City of Buena Vista and 1 more	54 min
Apr 16, 1:26 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	RNK	Amherst, Bedford, Botetourt, Campbell, Rockbridge, City of Buena Vista and 2 more	6 hr
Apr 16, 1:43 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RNK	Amherst, Bedford, Rockbridge	47 min
Apr 16, 1:43 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RNK	Amherst, Rockbridge, City of Buena Vista, City of Lexington	32 min
Apr 16, 1:51 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Charlotte, Halifax, Pittsylvania, City of Danville	69 min
Apr 16, 1:57 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RNK	Halifax, Pittsylvania	48 min
Apr 16, 2:22 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Halifax, Pittsylvania, City of Danville	3 hr
Apr 16, 2:23 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Bath	37 min
Apr 16, 2:25 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Amherst, Bedford, Campbell, City of Lynchburg	35 min
Apr 16, 2:34 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Halifax, Pittsylvania	71 min
Apr 16, 2:45 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RNK	Charlotte, Halifax	45 min
Apr 16, 3:04 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Amherst, Appomattox, Buckingham	26 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Virginia, 2011 Every tornado warning in 2011 Tornadoes in 2011

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.