Alert archive / Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 65, NWS Blacksburg, VA

September 5, 2011Carroll County, Grayson County, City of Galax, Virginia; Alleghany County, Surry County, Wilkes County, North Carolina

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this tornado warning at Sep 5, 2011, 5:31 PM EDT for Carroll County, Grayson County, City of Galax, Virginia; Alleghany County, Surry County, Wilkes County, North Carolina. It was in force for 29 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
Sep 5, 2011, 5:31 PM EDT (21:31 UTC)
Expired
Sep 5, 2011, 6:00 PM EDT
In force
29 min
Issued by
NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Alleghany County, NC, Surry County, NC, Wilkes County, NC, Carroll County, VA, City of Galax, VA, Grayson County, VA

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 84 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:33 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 nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 9.5 hours before the alert went out and 107 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 12:00Z on 2011-09-05Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 109 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, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 12:00Z on 2011-09-05The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 62 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
109 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-38 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
689 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
46 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
62 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
48 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.

404 
WFUS51 KRNK 052131
TORRNK
NCC005-171-193-VAC035-077-640-052200-
/O.NEW.KRNK.TO.W.0065.110905T2131Z-110905T2200Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
531 PM EDT MON SEP 5 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  EASTERN ALLEGHANY COUNTY IN NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA
  NORTHWESTERN SURRY COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA
  NORTHERN WILKES COUNTY IN NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA
  SOUTHWESTERN CITY OF GALAX IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
  SOUTHEASTERN GRAYSON COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
  SOUTHERN CARROLL COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA

* UNTIL 600 PM EDT.

* AT 528 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR STONE
  MOUNTAIN STATE PARK...OR NEAR TRAPHILL...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40
  MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  STONE MOUNTAIN STATE PARK...
  GLADE VALLEY...
  BARRETT...
  CUMBERLAND KNOB...
  GALAX CITY...

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3667 8091 3651 8073 3629 8107 3642 8123
TIME...MOT...LOC 2131Z 227DEG 33KT 3642 8106

$$
4 follow-up statements
214 
WWUS51 KRNK 052137
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
537 PM EDT MON SEP 5 2011

NCC193-052147-
/O.CAN.KRNK.TO.W.0065.000000T0000Z-110905T2200Z/
WILKES NC-
537 PM EDT MON SEP 5 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHERN WILKES COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

&&

LAT...LON 3650 8113 3667 8091 3651 8073 3638 8094
      3640 8096 3638 8098 3638 8099
TIME...MOT...LOC 2137Z 231DEG 37KT 3646 8098

$$

NCC005-171-VAC035-077-640-052200-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0065.000000T0000Z-110905T2200Z/
ALLEGHANY NC-SURRY NC-CITY OF GALAX VA-GRAYSON VA-CARROLL VA-
537 PM EDT MON SEP 5 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM EDT FOR THE CITY
OF GALAX... EASTERN ALLEGHANY...NORTHWESTERN SURRY...SOUTHEASTERN
GRAYSON AND SOUTHERN CARROLL COUNTIES...

AT 533 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR ROARING GAP...OR 6
MILES NORTH OF TRAPHILL...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  GLADE VALLEY...
  BARRETT...
  CUMBERLAND KNOB...
  LOW GAP...

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3650 8113 3667 8091 3651 8073 3638 8094
      3640 8096 3638 8098 3638 8099
TIME...MOT...LOC 2137Z 231DEG 37KT 3646 8098

$$

AMS
185 
WWUS51 KRNK 052147
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
547 PM EDT MON SEP 5 2011

NCC005-171-VAC035-077-640-052200-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0065.000000T0000Z-110905T2200Z/
ALLEGHANY NC-SURRY NC-CITY OF GALAX VA-GRAYSON VA-CARROLL VA-
547 PM EDT MON SEP 5 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM EDT FOR THE CITY
OF GALAX... NORTHEASTERN ALLEGHANY...NORTHWESTERN SURRY...
SOUTHEASTERN GRAYSON AND SOUTHERN CARROLL COUNTIES...

AT 542 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BARRETT...OR NEAR
ENNICE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  CUMBERLAND KNOB...
  LOW GAP...

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3643 8087 3655 8107 3667 8091 3651 8073
TIME...MOT...LOC 2147Z 229DEG 36KT 3655 8091

$$

AMS
361 
WWUS51 KRNK 052154
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
554 PM EDT MON SEP 5 2011

NCC005-VAC640-052204-
/O.CAN.KRNK.TO.W.0065.000000T0000Z-110905T2200Z/
ALLEGHANY NC-CITY OF GALAX VA-
554 PM EDT MON SEP 5 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR THE CITY OF GALAX... NORTHEASTERN
ALLEGHANY COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

&&

LAT...LON 3654 8092 3656 8091 3656 8095 3657 8097
      3665 8090 3651 8073 3650 8085
TIME...MOT...LOC 2154Z 229DEG 36KT 3657 8083

$$

NCC171-VAC035-077-052200-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0065.000000T0000Z-110905T2200Z/
SURRY NC-GRAYSON VA-CARROLL VA-
554 PM EDT MON SEP 5 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM EDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN SURRY...SOUTHEASTERN GRAYSON AND SOUTHERN CARROLL
COUNTIES...

AT 551 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR LOW GAP...OR 7
MILES NORTHWEST OF BOTTOM...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  LOW GAP...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

HEAVY RAINFALL MAY OBSCURE THIS TORNADO. TAKE COVER NOW! IF YOU WAIT
TO SEE OR HEAR IT COMING...IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE.

&&

LAT...LON 3654 8092 3656 8091 3656 8095 3657 8097
      3665 8090 3651 8073 3650 8085
TIME...MOT...LOC 2154Z 229DEG 36KT 3657 8083

$$

AMS
168 
WWUS51 KRNK 052159
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
559 PM EDT MON SEP 5 2011

NCC171-VAC035-077-052209-
/O.EXP.KRNK.TO.W.0065.000000T0000Z-110905T2200Z/
SURRY NC-GRAYSON VA-CARROLL VA-
559 PM EDT MON SEP 5 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN SURRY...SOUTHEASTERN GRAYSON
AND SOUTHERN CARROLL COUNTIES EXPIRES AT 600 PM EDT...

THE STORM AND ROTATION HAVE WEAKENED BUT WILL CONTINUE TO BE 
MONITORED. 

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

LAT...LON 3654 8092 3656 8091 3656 8095 3657 8097
      3665 8090 3651 8073 3650 8085
TIME...MOT...LOC 2159Z 229DEG 36KT 3660 8078

$$

AMS

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 4, 9:30 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKBath30 min
Sep 5, 4:48 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKHenry, Pittsylvania27 min
Sep 5, 6:31 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKBotetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Montgomery, Roanoke and 2 more59 min
Sep 5, 6:34 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKBedford, Campbell, Charlotte, Franklin, Halifax, Pittsylvania56 min
Sep 5, 6:42 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKHalifax33 min
Sep 5, 6:54 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKCarroll, Floyd, Patrick36 min
Sep 5, 7:14 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKBland, Pulaski, Wythe31 min
Sep 5, 7:16 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKCharlotte, Halifax29 min
Sep 5, 7:25 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKBotetourt35 min
Sep 5, 7:40 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKBland, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, Wythe, City of Radford35 min
Sep 5, 7:57 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRNKRoanoke, City of Roanoke, City of Salem3 hr
Sep 5, 3:53 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAlleghany52 min
Sep 5, 3:57 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKAlleghany, Ashe, Wilkes33 min
Sep 5, 5:13 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAlleghany32 min
Sep 5, 7:38 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKWilkes37 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.