Alert archive / West Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 37, NWS Blacksburg, VA

April 27, 2011Greenbrier County, Mercer County, Summers County, West Virginia

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this tornado warning at Apr 27, 2011, 10:57 PM EDT for Greenbrier County, Mercer County, Summers County, West Virginia. It was in force for 48 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Apr 27, 2011, 10:57 PM EDT (02:57 UTC)
Expired
Apr 27, 2011, 11:45 PM EDT
In force
48 min
Issued by
NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Greenbrier County, WV, Mercer County, WV, Summers County, WV

The radar

The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 95 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:58 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.

The watch it was issued in

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

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Apr 27, 6:15 PM EDTTornado WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 00:00Z, 3.0 hours before the alert went out and 142 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-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Roanoke, VA at 00:00Z on 2011-04-28Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 372 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Roanoke, VA at 00:00Z on 2011-04-28The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 226 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
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
372 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-24 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1272 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
48 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
226 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
335 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.4
Supercell composite
3.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

029 
WFUS51 KRNK 280257
TORRNK
WVC025-055-089-280345-
/O.NEW.KRNK.TO.W.0037.110428T0257Z-110428T0345Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1057 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHWESTERN MERCER COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA
  WESTERN GREENBRIER COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA
  NORTHERN SUMMERS COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA

* UNTIL 1145 PM EDT.

* AT 1053 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR WENONAH...
  OR NEAR MATOAKA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 60 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  WENONAH...
  FLAT TOP...
  RAINELLE...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
STURDY SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST
DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3783 8057 3739 8129 3740 8133 3742 8129
      3746 8131 3752 8122 3758 8119 3761 8108
      3764 8107 3772 8098 3770 8090 3774 8093
      3778 8090 3782 8094 3788 8076 3794 8081
      3797 8079
TIME...MOT...LOC 0256Z 223DEG 54KT 3749 8130

$$

16
4 follow-up statements
376 
WWUS51 KRNK 280323
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1123 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

WVC055-280332-
/O.CAN.KRNK.TO.W.0037.000000T0000Z-110428T0345Z/
MERCER WV-
1123 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN MERCER COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 AM EDT THURSDAY MORNING
FOR NORTHWESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA AND
SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL
100 AM EDT THURSDAY MORNING FOR SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3783 8057 3755 8103 3759 8110 3761 8107
      3764 8107 3770 8098 3772 8098 3770 8090
      3774 8093 3778 8090 3782 8094 3788 8076
      3794 8081 3797 8079
TIME...MOT...LOC 0322Z 223DEG 54KT 3770 8098

$$

WVC025-089-280345-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0037.000000T0000Z-110428T0345Z/
GREENBRIER WV-SUMMERS WV-
1123 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1145 PM EDT FOR NORTHERN
SUMMERS AND WESTERN GREENBRIER COUNTIES...

AT 1117 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR JUMPING BRANCH...
OR 8 MILES WEST OF HINTON...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 60 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  JUMPING BRANCH...
  HINTON...
  SANDSTONE...
  ELTON...
  RAINELLE...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3783 8057 3755 8103 3759 8110 3761 8107
      3764 8107 3770 8098 3772 8098 3770 8090
      3774 8093 3778 8090 3782 8094 3788 8076
      3794 8081 3797 8079
TIME...MOT...LOC 0322Z 223DEG 54KT 3770 8098

$$

16
901 
WWUS51 KRNK 280330
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1130 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

WVC025-089-280345-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0037.000000T0000Z-110428T0345Z/
GREENBRIER WV-SUMMERS WV-
1130 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1145 PM EDT FOR NORTHERN
SUMMERS AND WESTERN GREENBRIER COUNTIES...

AT 1127 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR SANDSTONE...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 AM EDT THURSDAY MORNING
FOR NORTHWESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA AND
SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL
100 AM EDT THURSDAY MORNING FOR SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3783 8057 3755 8103 3759 8110 3761 8107
      3764 8107 3770 8098 3772 8098 3770 8090
      3774 8093 3778 8090 3782 8094 3788 8076
      3794 8081 3797 8079
TIME...MOT...LOC 0330Z 223DEG 54KT 3780 8091

$$
483 
WWUS51 KRNK 280338 RRA
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1138 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

WVC025-089-280345-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0037.000000T0000Z-110428T0345Z/
GREENBRIER WV-SUMMERS WV-
1138 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1145 PM EDT FOR NORTHERN
SUMMERS AND WESTERN GREENBRIER COUNTIES...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
STURDY SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST
DITCH OR OTHER 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.

&&

LAT...LON 3783 8057 3755 8103 3759 8110 3761 8107
      3764 8107 3770 8098 3772 8098 3770 8090
      3774 8093 3778 8090 3782 8094 3788 8076
      3794 8081 3797 8079
TIME...MOT...LOC 0338Z 223DEG 54KT 3783 8079

$$

16
320 
WWUS51 KRNK 280343
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1143 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

WVC025-089-280353-
/O.EXP.KRNK.TO.W.0037.000000T0000Z-110428T0345Z/
GREENBRIER WV-SUMMERS WV-
1143 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHERN SUMMERS AND WESTERN GREENBRIER
COUNTIES EXPIRES AT 1145 PM EDT...

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER...PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG AT...1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 AM EDT THURSDAY MORNING
FOR NORTHWESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA AND
SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL
100 AM EDT THURSDAY MORNING FOR SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA.

LAT...LON 3783 8057 3755 8103 3759 8110 3761 8107
      3764 8107 3770 8098 3772 8098 3770 8090
      3774 8093 3778 8090 3782 8094 3788 8076
      3794 8081 3797 8079
TIME...MOT...LOC 0343Z 223DEG 54KT 3788 8072

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 27, 9:06 PM EDTFlash Flood WatchRNKMercer, Monroe, Summers13 hr
Apr 27, 10:12 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKMercer48 min
Apr 27, 10:32 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKGreenbrier43 min
Apr 27, 11:09 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKMercer, Monroe, Summers51 min
Apr 27, 11:43 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKGreenbrier, Summers36 min
Apr 27, 11:53 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKMercer, Monroe52 min
Apr 27, 11:56 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKGreenbrier, Monroe, Summers49 min
Apr 28, 12:40 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKGreenbrier35 min
Apr 28, 12:45 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKMercer, Monroe, Summers45 min
Apr 28, 12:48 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKGreenbrier, Monroe6 hr
Apr 28, 1:03 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKGreenbrier, Monroe57 min
Apr 28, 1:19 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKMonroe26 min
Apr 28, 1:39 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKMercer, Monroe, Summers3 hr
Apr 28, 1:43 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKMonroe19 min
Apr 28, 1:45 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKGreenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, Summers31 min
Apr 28, 1:47 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKMercer9 min
Apr 28, 2:17 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKMercer, Monroe, Summers28 min
Apr 28, 6:47 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningRNKGreenbrier, Monroe6 hr
Apr 28, 11:16 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningRNKGreenbrier, Monroe, Summers10 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in West Virginia, 2011Every tornado warning in 2011Tornadoes 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.