Alert archive / Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 43, NWS Blacksburg, VA

April 28, 20115 counties in Virginia; Ashe County, North Carolina

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this tornado warning at Apr 28, 2011, 12:01 AM EDT for 5 counties in Virginia; Ashe County, North Carolina. It was in force for 44 min. 3 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 28, 2011, 12:01 AM EDT (04:01 UTC)
Expired
Apr 28, 2011, 12:45 AM EDT
In force
44 min
Issued by
NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Ashe County, NC, Bland County, VA, Carroll County, VA, Grayson County, VA, Smyth County, VA, Wythe County, VA

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 123 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 04:03 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 28, 12:25 AM EDTHAIL 1Marion, VAON SHOP STREET IN MARION.
Apr 28, 12:25 AM EDTHAIL 1.25Marion, VA
Apr 28, 12:30 AM EDTFUNNEL CLOUDSugar Grove, VA

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

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 00:00Z, 4.0 hours before the alert went out and 162 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, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 00:00Z on 2011-04-28Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2272 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 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, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 00:00Z on 2011-04-28The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 233 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
2272 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-5 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
766 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
51 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
233 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
271 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
3.5
Supercell composite
14.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

377 
WFUS51 KRNK 280401
TORRNK
NCC009-VAC021-035-077-173-197-280445-
/O.NEW.KRNK.TO.W.0043.110428T0401Z-110428T0445Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1201 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHWESTERN ASHE COUNTY IN NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA
  SMYTH COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
  WYTHE COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
  WESTERN GRAYSON COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
  WESTERN CARROLL COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
  SOUTHWESTERN BLAND COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA

* UNTIL 1245 AM EDT.

* AT 1159 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 6 MILES WEST OF
  FLATWOOD...OR 7 MILES NORTHEAST OF MOUNTAIN CITY...MOVING NORTHEAST
  AT 70 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  WHITETOP...
  MOUNT ROGERS SUMMIT...
  TROUTDALE...
  SUGAR GROVE...
  CROCKETT...

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 3647 8170 3654 8171 3655 8170 3657 8170
      3662 8164 3662 8163 3663 8161 3665 8164
      3677 8170 3713 8114 3682 8080 3644 8171
TIME...MOT...LOC 0402Z 234DEG 62KT 3660 8170

$$

NF
2 follow-up statements
022 
WWUS51 KRNK 280408
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1208 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

NCC009-VAC021-035-077-173-197-280445-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0043.000000T0000Z-110428T0445Z/
ASHE NC-SMYTH VA-WYTHE VA-GRAYSON VA-CARROLL VA-BLAND VA-
1208 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1245 AM EDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN BLAND...WESTERN CARROLL...WESTERN GRAYSON...WYTHE...
SMYTH AND NORTHWESTERN ASHE COUNTIES...

AT 1203 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR WHITETOP...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 70 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  THOMAS BRIDGE...
  MOUNT ROGERS NATIONAL RECREATION AREA...
  RURAL RETREAT...
  FAVONIA...
  WYTHEVILLE...

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 3647 8170 3654 8171 3655 8170 3657 8170
      3662 8164 3662 8163 3663 8161 3665 8164
      3677 8170 3713 8114 3682 8080 3644 8171
TIME...MOT...LOC 0408Z 234DEG 62KT 3671 8157

$$
941 
WWUS51 KRNK 280433
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1233 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

NCC009-VAC035-280443-
/O.CAN.KRNK.TO.W.0043.000000T0000Z-110428T0445Z/
ASHE NC-CARROLL VA-
1233 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR WESTERN CARROLL AND NORTHWESTERN ASHE
COUNTIES 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 3671 8140 3687 8154 3713 8114 3689 8087
TIME...MOT...LOC 0433Z 240DEG 44KT 3681 8129

$$

VAC021-077-173-197-280445-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0043.000000T0000Z-110428T0445Z/
SMYTH VA-WYTHE VA-GRAYSON VA-BLAND VA-
1233 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1245 AM EDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN BLAND...NORTHERN GRAYSON...WYTHE AND EASTERN SMYTH
COUNTIES...

AT 1231 AM EDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD. 
THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR SUGAR GROVE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50
MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  SUGAR GROVE...
  CROCKETT...
  CRIPPLE CREEK...

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
STURDY SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST
DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

&&

LAT...LON 3671 8140 3687 8154 3713 8114 3689 8087
TIME...MOT...LOC 0433Z 240DEG 44KT 3681 8129

$$

16

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
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, 9:06 PM EDTFlash Flood WatchRNKAlleghany, Amherst, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt and 21 more13 hr
Apr 27, 9:11 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKCharlotte, Halifax34 min
Apr 27, 10:12 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKBland, Smyth, Tazewell48 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, 11:09 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKBland, Giles, Tazewell51 min
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 27, 11:53 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKBland, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, Tazewell, Wythe52 min
Apr 27, 11:56 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKAlleghany, City of Covington49 min
Apr 28, 12:40 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKBath35 min
Apr 28, 12:45 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKBland, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, Wythe, City of Radford45 min
Apr 28, 12:48 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKAlleghany, Bath, Craig, Giles, City of Covington6 hr
Apr 28, 1:03 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKAlleghany, Bath, Rockbridge, City of Covington57 min
Apr 28, 1:12 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKBland, Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe33 min
Apr 28, 1:19 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKCraig, Giles, Montgomery, Roanoke26 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, 1:39 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKBland3 hr
Apr 28, 1:43 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKAlleghany, Botetourt, Craig, Montgomery19 min
Apr 28, 1:47 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKBland, Giles, Tazewell, Wythe9 min
Apr 28, 2:17 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKCraig, Giles28 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, 6:47 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningRNKAlleghany, Bath, Craig, City of Covington6 hr
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
Apr 28, 3:40 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKSurry, Wilkes, Yadkin34 min
Apr 28, 3:47 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKSurry, Wilkes, Yadkin27 min
Apr 28, 6:24 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKAlleghany, Surry, Wilkes, Yadkin35 min
Apr 28, 7:11 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKStokes19 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Virginia, 2011Tornado Warnings in North Carolina, 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.