Alert archive / Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 71, NWS Blacksburg, VA

September 5, 20114 counties in Virginia

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this tornado warning at Sep 5, 2011, 8:12 PM EDT for 4 counties in Virginia. It was in force for 33 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, 8:12 PM EDT (00:12 UTC)
Expired
Sep 5, 2011, 8:45 PM EDT
In force
33 min
Issued by
NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Craig County, VA, Giles County, VA, Montgomery County, VA, Roanoke County, VA

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 33 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:15 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
Sep 5, 6:29 PM EDTTornado WatchSPC10 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 00:00Z, 0.2 hours before the alert went out and 88 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 2011-09-06Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 272 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 2011-09-06The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 108 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
272 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-18 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
634 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
42 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
108 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
170 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.2
Supercell composite
1.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

115 
WFUS51 KRNK 060012
TORRNK
VAC045-071-121-161-060045-
/O.NEW.KRNK.TO.W.0071.110906T0012Z-110906T0045Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHWESTERN ROANOKE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA
  EASTERN GILES COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
  SOUTHWESTERN CRAIG COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
  NORTHERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA

* UNTIL 845 PM EDT.

* AT 811 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR PRICES
  FORK...OR NEAR NEWPORT...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

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.

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 400 AM EDT TUESDAY MORNING
FOR NORTHWESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3750 8026 3734 8009 3715 8053 3716 8055
      3718 8057 3720 8051 3721 8052 3718 8059
      3723 8062 3724 8060 3724 8065 3726 8067
TIME...MOT...LOC 0012Z 235DEG 40KT 3723 8050

$$

AMS
3 follow-up statements
053 
WWUS51 KRNK 060027
SVSRNK

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

VAC045-071-121-161-060045-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0071.000000T0000Z-110906T0045Z/
ROANOKE VA-GILES VA-CRAIG VA-MONTGOMERY VA-
827 PM EDT MON SEP 5 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM EDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN ROANOKE...EASTERN GILES...SOUTHWESTERN CRAIG AND
NORTHERN MONTGOMERY COUNTIES...

AT 825 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BLACKSBURG...
MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35 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 400 AM EDT TUESDAY MORNING
FOR NORTHWESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3719 8043 3734 8054 3750 8026 3734 8009
TIME...MOT...LOC 0027Z 234DEG 32KT 3727 8037

$$

AMS
391 
WWUS51 KRNK 060034
SVSRNK

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

VAC071-060044-
/O.CAN.KRNK.TO.W.0071.000000T0000Z-110906T0045Z/
GILES VA-
834 PM EDT MON SEP 5 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EASTERN GILES COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 AM EDT TUESDAY MORNING
FOR NORTHWESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3723 8036 3739 8045 3750 8026 3734 8009
TIME...MOT...LOC 0034Z 234DEG 32KT 3733 8029

$$

VAC045-121-161-060045-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0071.000000T0000Z-110906T0045Z/
ROANOKE VA-CRAIG VA-MONTGOMERY VA-
834 PM EDT MON SEP 5 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM EDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN ROANOKE...SOUTHWESTERN CRAIG AND NORTHERN MONTGOMERY
COUNTIES...

AT 829 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MC DONALDS MILL...
OR 7 MILES NORTHEAST OF BLACKSBURG...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  MC DONALDS MILL...
  SINKING CREEK...
  CRAIG SPRINGS...

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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 AM EDT TUESDAY MORNING
FOR NORTHWESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3723 8036 3739 8045 3750 8026 3734 8009
TIME...MOT...LOC 0034Z 234DEG 32KT 3733 8029

$$

AMS
240 
WWUS51 KRNK 060044
SVSRNK

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

VAC045-121-161-060055-
/O.EXP.KRNK.TO.W.0071.000000T0000Z-110906T0045Z/
ROANOKE VA-CRAIG VA-MONTGOMERY VA-
844 PM EDT MON SEP 5 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN ROANOKE...SOUTHWESTERN CRAIG
AND NORTHERN MONTGOMERY COUNTIES EXPIRES AT 845 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. ONCE AGAIN
THAT NUMBER IS 1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 AM EDT TUESDAY MORNING
FOR NORTHWESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA.

LAT...LON 3723 8036 3739 8045 3750 8026 3734 8009
TIME...MOT...LOC 0045Z 234DEG 32KT 3739 8019

$$

AMS

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 5, 8:17 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAmherst, Bedford, Franklin, City of Lynchburg28 min
Sep 5, 8:36 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKBedford39 min
Sep 5, 9:24 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAmherst, City of Lynchburg36 min
Sep 5, 9:40 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCarroll, Patrick45 min
Sep 5, 10:00 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAppomattox, Buckingham, City of Lynchburg60 min
Sep 5, 10:03 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKCarroll, Patrick27 min
Sep 5, 10:09 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKFloyd, Franklin, Roanoke6 hr
Sep 5, 10:19 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKCarroll, Floyd, Patrick6 hr
Sep 5, 10:23 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKCampbell, City of Lynchburg67 min
Sep 5, 10:50 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBuckingham25 min
Sep 5, 10:52 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKBedford, Campbell, Franklin, City of Lynchburg6 hr
Sep 5, 11:04 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKCarroll, Floyd, Franklin, Patrick6 hr
Sep 5, 11:22 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKAmherst6 hr
Sep 5, 11:43 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAmherst, Bedford, Buckingham, City of Lynchburg62 min
Sep 6, 12:17 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKCarroll, Grayson, City of Galax6 hr
Sep 6, 12:51 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAppomattox, Buckingham54 min
Sep 6, 1:10 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKAppomattox, Buckingham65 min
Sep 6, 3:30 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningRNKAlleghany, Amherst, Bath, Bedford, Botetourt, Craig and 7 more18 hr
Sep 6, 3:38 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningRNKCarroll, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery and 5 more18 hr
Sep 6, 3:39 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAppomattox, Bedford, Campbell, Franklin, Pittsylvania, City of Lynchburg66 min
Sep 6, 4:34 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKHalifax56 min
Sep 6, 4:51 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCharlotte, Halifax54 min
Sep 6, 5:04 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKCharlotte, Halifax26 min
Sep 6, 5:28 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKCharlotte, Halifax47 min
Sep 6, 7:43 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKFloyd, Franklin, Roanoke6 hr
Sep 6, 8:28 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKCarroll, Patrick19 min
Sep 6, 9:48 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKPatrick27 min
Sep 6, 9:57 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningRNKCarroll, Grayson, Patrick12 hr

Nearby

Tornado 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.