Alert archive / Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 72, NWS Blacksburg, VA

September 5, 2011Bedford County, Virginia

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this tornado warning at Sep 5, 2011, 8:36 PM EDT for Bedford County, Virginia. It was in force for 39 min. 1 report 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
Sep 5, 2011, 8:36 PM EDT (00:36 UTC)
Expired
Sep 5, 2011, 9:15 PM EDT
In force
39 min
Issued by
NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area
Storm-based polygon

County Bedford County, VA

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 66 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:38 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
Sep 5, 8:57 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG1 S Bedford City, VAONE TREE DOWN ON ROUTE 43 JUST SOUTH OF BEDFORD

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
Sep 5, 6:29 PM EDTTornado WatchSPC10 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 00:00Z, 0.6 hours before the alert went out and 10 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.

417 
WFUS51 KRNK 060036
TORRNK
VAC019-515-060115-
/O.NEW.KRNK.TO.W.0072.110906T0036Z-110906T0115Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  CITY OF BEDFORD IN SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA
  CENTRAL BEDFORD COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA

* UNTIL 915 PM EDT.

* AT 834 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR GOODVIEW...
  OR NEAR MONETA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  MONETA...
  THAXTON...
  D-DAY MEMORIAL...
  GOODE...

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
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.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3730 7929 3715 7967 3715 7970 3716 7971
      3719 7972 3719 7974 3736 7979 3752 7937
TIME...MOT...LOC 0037Z 237DEG 30KT 3721 7965

$$
3 follow-up statements
547 
WWUS51 KRNK 060057
SVSRNK

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

VAC019-515-060115-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0072.000000T0000Z-110906T0115Z/
CITY OF BEDFORD VA-BEDFORD VA-
857 PM EDT MON SEP 5 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 PM EDT FOR THE CITY
OF BEDFORD... CENTRAL BEDFORD COUNTY...

AT 852 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 6 MILES SOUTH OF D-DAY
MEMORIAL...OR 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF HUDDLESTON...MOVING EAST AT 30
MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  D-DAY MEMORIAL...
  BEDFORD CITY...
  GOODE...

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.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3752 7937 3730 7929 3719 7956 3741 7966
      3747 7950
TIME...MOT...LOC 0057Z 254DEG 24KT 3725 7950

$$

AMS
257 
WWUS51 KRNK 060106
SVSRNK

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

VAC515-060116-
/O.CAN.KRNK.TO.W.0072.000000T0000Z-110906T0115Z/
CITY OF BEDFORD VA-
906 PM EDT MON SEP 5 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR THE CITY OF BEDFORD... 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 3752 7937 3730 7929 3723 7950 3747 7949
TIME...MOT...LOC 0106Z 237DEG 40KT 3734 7936

$$

VAC019-060115-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0072.000000T0000Z-110906T0115Z/
BEDFORD VA-
906 PM EDT MON SEP 5 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 PM EDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN BEDFORD COUNTY...

AT 901 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR GOODE...OR 6 MILES
EAST OF BEDFORD CITY...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  GOODE...

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.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3752 7937 3730 7929 3723 7950 3747 7949
TIME...MOT...LOC 0106Z 237DEG 40KT 3734 7936

$$

AMS
656 
WWUS51 KRNK 060114
SVSRNK

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

VAC019-060125-
/O.EXP.KRNK.TO.W.0072.000000T0000Z-110906T0115Z/
BEDFORD VA-
914 PM EDT MON SEP 5 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN BEDFORD COUNTY EXPIRES AT 915
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 3752 7937 3730 7929 3723 7950 3747 7949
TIME...MOT...LOC 0115Z 237DEG 40KT 3739 7925

$$

AMS

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 5, 8:12 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKCraig, Giles, Montgomery, Roanoke33 min
Sep 5, 8:17 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAmherst, Bedford, Franklin, City of Lynchburg28 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.