Alert archive / West Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 38, NWS Blacksburg, VA

April 27, 2011Mercer County, Monroe County, Summers County, West Virginia; Bland County, Giles County, Tazewell County, Virginia

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this tornado warning at Apr 27, 2011, 11:09 PM EDT for Mercer County, Monroe County, Summers County, West Virginia; Bland County, Giles County, Tazewell County, Virginia. It was in force for 51 min. 5 reports 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 27, 2011, 11:09 PM EDT (03:09 UTC)
Expired
Apr 28, 2011, 12:00 AM EDT
In force
51 min
Issued by
NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Bland County, VA, Giles County, VA, Tazewell County, VA, Mercer County, WV, Monroe County, WV, Summers County, WV

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 69 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:13 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Apr 27, 11:15 PM EDTHAIL 13 E Bluefield, WV
Apr 27, 11:15 PM EDTHAIL 1Bluefield, VA
Apr 27, 11:25 PM EDTHAIL 0.25Rocky Gap, VA
Apr 27, 11:45 PM EDTHAIL 0.52 S Wayside, WVDIME SIZE HAIL
Apr 28, 12:05 AM EDTTSTM WND DMGBastian, VAPOWER LINE BLOWN DOWN THAT TOOK OUT POWER FOR MOST OF THE COUNTY

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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Apr 27, 6:15 PM EDTTornado WatchSPC6 hr
Apr 27, 5:44 PM EDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 00:00Z, 3.2 hours before the alert went out and 126 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.

572 
WFUS51 KRNK 280309
TORRNK
VAC021-071-185-WVC055-063-089-280400-
/O.NEW.KRNK.TO.W.0038.110428T0309Z-110428T0400Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1109 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHEASTERN TAZEWELL COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
  GILES COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
  BLAND COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
  SOUTHWESTERN MONROE COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA
  MERCER COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA
  SOUTHERN SUMMERS COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA

* UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT.

* AT 1108 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR
  BLUEFIELD...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  BLUEFIELD...
  CLEAR FORK...
  CERES...
  OAKVALE...
  ELGOOD...

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.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3771 8082 3739 8046 3738 8045 3701 8136
      3718 8151
TIME...MOT...LOC 0309Z 232DEG 50KT 3720 8126

$$

16
4 follow-up statements
365 
WWUS51 KRNK 280317
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1117 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

VAC021-071-185-WVC055-063-089-280400-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0038.000000T0000Z-110428T0400Z/
TAZEWELL VA-GILES VA-BLAND VA-MONROE WV-MERCER WV-SUMMERS WV-
1117 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT FOR
SOUTHERN SUMMERS...MERCER...SOUTHWESTERN MONROE...GILES AND
NORTHEASTERN TAZEWELL...AND  COUNTIESBLAND COUNTY...

AT 1113 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BLUEFIELD...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  CERES...
  ELGOOD...
  BOZOO...
  RED SULPHUR SPRING...
  WAYSIDE...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 
QUARTER 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.

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 3771 8082 3739 8046 3738 8045 3701 8136
      3718 8151
TIME...MOT...LOC 0317Z 230DEG 72KT 3730 8110

$$
862 
WWUS51 KRNK 280322
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1122 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

VAC021-071-185-WVC055-063-089-280400-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0038.000000T0000Z-110428T0400Z/
TAZEWELL VA-GILES VA-BLAND VA-MONROE WV-MERCER WV-SUMMERS WV-
1122 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT FOR
SOUTHERN SUMMERS...MERCER...SOUTHWESTERN MONROE...GILES AND 
NORTHEASTERN TAZEWELL...AND BLAND COUNTY...

AT 1117 PM EDT...THE PUBLIC REPORTED QUARTER SIZE HAIL IN BLUEFIELD. 
THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR CERES...OR NEAR ROCKY GAP...MOVING 
NORTHEAST AT 45 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 3771 8082 3739 8046 3738 8045 3701 8136
      3718 8151
TIME...MOT...LOC 0322Z 230DEG 72KT 3736 8101

$$
073 
WWUS51 KRNK 280338
SVSRNK

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

VAC021-071-185-WVC055-063-089-280400-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0038.000000T0000Z-110428T0400Z/
TAZEWELL VA-GILES VA-BLAND VA-MONROE WV-MERCER WV-SUMMERS WV-
1138 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT FOR
SOUTHERN SUMMERS...MERCER...SOUTHWESTERN MONROE...GILES AND 
NORTHEASTERN TAZEWELL...AND BLAND COUNTY...

AT 1136 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BOZOO...OR NEAR
PETERSTOWN...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 60 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 3771 8082 3739 8046 3738 8045 3701 8136
      3718 8151
TIME...MOT...LOC 0338Z 229DEG 71KT 3750 8082

$$
205 
WWUS51 KRNK 280356
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1156 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

VAC021-071-185-WVC055-063-089-280407-
/O.EXP.KRNK.TO.W.0038.000000T0000Z-110428T0400Z/
TAZEWELL VA-GILES VA-BLAND VA-MONROE WV-MERCER WV-SUMMERS WV-
1156 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHERN SUMMERS...MERCER...SOUTHWESTERN 
MONROE...GILES AND NORTHEASTERN TAZEWELL...AND BLAND COUNTY EXPIRES 
AT MIDNIGHT 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 3771 8082 3739 8046 3738 8045 3701 8136
      3718 8151
TIME...MOT...LOC 0357Z 229DEG 71KT 3774 8046

$$

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, 10:57 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKGreenbrier, Mercer, Summers48 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
Apr 27, 8:01 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKHalifax, Pittsylvania, City of Danville44 min
Apr 27, 8:09 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKAppomattox, Buckingham, Campbell66 min
Apr 27, 8:32 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKCampbell, Charlotte, Halifax, Pittsylvania43 min
Apr 27, 8:45 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKHalifax, Pittsylvania, City of Danville45 min
Apr 27, 9:11 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKCharlotte, Halifax34 min
Apr 27, 10:26 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKBland, Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe49 min
Apr 27, 10:39 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKBland, Smyth, Tazewell6 hr
Apr 27, 11:12 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKBland, Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe48 min
Apr 27, 11:19 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKCarroll, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski, Wythe and 2 more6 hr
Apr 28, 12:01 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKBland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, Wythe44 min
Apr 28, 1:12 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKBland, Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe33 min
Apr 28, 1:20 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKBland, Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe25 min
Apr 28, 1:28 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKAlleghany, Botetourt, Rockbridge, City of Lexington21 min
Apr 28, 1:34 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKAlleghany, Bath, Botetourt, Rockbridge, City of Lexington41 min
Apr 28, 3:22 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKAlleghany, Botetourt, Craig, Franklin, Montgomery, Roanoke and 2 more4 hr
Apr 28, 4:17 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCharlotte, Halifax, Pittsylvania, City of Danville30 min
Apr 28, 5:32 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKCarroll, Floyd, Grayson, Montgomery, City of Galax3 hr
Apr 28, 5:51 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCarroll, Floyd, Franklin, Patrick54 min
Apr 28, 6:40 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAmherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Buckingham, Campbell, City of Buena Vista and 1 more65 min
Apr 28, 6:46 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKPatrick29 min
Apr 28, 6:48 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCarroll, Henry, Patrick24 min
Apr 28, 7:13 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKPatrick32 min
Apr 28, 7:44 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAppomattox, Bedford, Buckingham, City of Lynchburg76 min
Apr 28, 7:48 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKCampbell72 min
Apr 28, 8:09 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningRNKAlleghany, Botetourt, Craig10 hr
Apr 28, 8:56 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAppomattox, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, City of Lynchburg64 min
Apr 28, 10:06 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKHalifax39 min
Apr 28, 12:38 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKCity of Danville52 min
Apr 28, 12:44 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningRNKBath6 hr
Apr 28, 6:33 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningRNKAlleghany, Botetourt, Craig6 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in West Virginia, 2011Tornado Warnings in 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.