Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 9, NWS Blacksburg, VA

April 9, 2011Alleghany County, Surry County, North Carolina; Carroll County, Grayson County, Virginia

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this tornado warning at Apr 9, 2011, 12:56 AM EDT for Alleghany County, Surry County, North Carolina; Carroll County, Grayson County, Virginia. It was in force for 34 min. 2 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 9, 2011, 12:56 AM EDT (04:56 UTC)
Expired
Apr 9, 2011, 1:30 AM EDT
In force
34 min
Issued by
NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Alleghany County, NC, Surry County, NC, Carroll County, VA, Grayson County, VA

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 74 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 04:57 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 9, 1:16 AM EDTHAIL 0.88White Plains, NC
Apr 9, 1:20 AM EDTHAIL 1Ararat, NC

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 8, 11:07 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 00:00Z, 4.9 hours before the alert went out and 87 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 2011-04-09Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 42 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 00:00Z on 2011-04-09The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 279 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
42 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-165 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1618 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
56 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
279 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
424 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
1.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

545 
WFUS51 KRNK 090456
TORRNK
NCC005-171-VAC035-077-090530-
/O.NEW.KRNK.TO.W.0009.110409T0456Z-110409T0530Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1256 AM EDT SAT APR 9 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHEASTERN ALLEGHANY COUNTY IN NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA
  SURRY COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA
  SOUTHEASTERN GRAYSON COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
  SOUTHERN CARROLL COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA

* UNTIL 130 AM EDT.

* AT 1253 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR LOW GAP...
  OR 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF BOTTOM...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  LOW GAP...
  BOTTOM...
  DOBSON...
  LEVEL CROSS...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

WHEN A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED BASED ON DOPPLER RADAR...IT MEANS
THAT STRONG ROTATION HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE STORM. A TORNADO MAY
ALREADY BE ON THE GROUND...OR IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP SHORTLY. IF YOU
ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS DANGEROUS STORM...MOVE INDOORS AND TO THE
LOWEST LEVEL OF THE BUILDING. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF DRIVING...DO
NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER A HIGHWAY OVERPASS.

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 3656 8098 3665 8084 3640 8045 3638 8045
      3627 8076
TIME...MOT...LOC 0456Z 318DEG 36KT 3654 8084

$$

16
1 follow-up statement
435 
WWUS51 KRNK 090522
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
122 AM EDT SAT APR 9 2011

NCC005-VAC035-077-090532-
/O.CAN.KRNK.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-110409T0530Z/
ALLEGHANY NC-GRAYSON VA-CARROLL VA-
122 AM EDT SAT APR 9 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHERN CARROLL...SOUTHEASTERN GRAYSON
AND NORTHEASTERN ALLEGHANY COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

&&

LAT...LON 3642 8070 3648 8059 3640 8045 3638 8045
      3632 8063
TIME...MOT...LOC 0522Z 318DEG 36KT 3636 8060

$$

NCC171-090530-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-110409T0530Z/
SURRY NC-
122 AM EDT SAT APR 9 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 130 AM EDT FOR CENTRAL
SURRY COUNTY...

AT 120 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR LEVEL CROSS...OR 6
MILES EAST OF DOBSON...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  LEVEL CROSS...
  PILOT MOUNTAIN...

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 3642 8070 3648 8059 3640 8045 3638 8045
      3632 8063
TIME...MOT...LOC 0522Z 318DEG 36KT 3636 8060

$$

16

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 8, 8:29 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKRockingham, Stokes31 min
Apr 8, 8:30 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKRockingham30 min
Apr 8, 9:00 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCaswell, Rockingham41 min
Apr 8, 10:59 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKStokes31 min
Apr 8, 11:24 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKRockingham36 min
Apr 8, 11:33 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKStokes27 min
Apr 8, 11:58 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKRockingham, Stokes32 min
Apr 9, 12:13 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKStokes17 min
Apr 9, 12:27 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKAlleghany, Surry48 min
Apr 9, 1:18 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKSurry57 min
Apr 9, 1:26 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKStokes, Surry, Yadkin35 min
Apr 9, 1:28 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKAlleghany, Surry, Wilkes, Yadkin35 min
Apr 9, 1:46 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAshe59 min
Apr 9, 2:34 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKAlleghany, Ashe41 min
Apr 9, 2:53 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKAshe, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin67 min
Apr 9, 3:20 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKAlleghany, Ashe, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin55 min
Apr 9, 3:27 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKAlleghany, Ashe33 min
Apr 9, 3:47 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKAlleghany, Stokes, Surry58 min
Apr 9, 5:01 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAshe29 min
Apr 9, 5:11 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKAlleghany, Ashe, Surry, Wilkes49 min
Apr 9, 5:36 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKRockingham24 min
Apr 9, 5:59 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKYadkin31 min
Apr 9, 6:17 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKCaswell43 min
Apr 8, 8:03 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKPittsylvania27 min
Apr 8, 9:29 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBland, Giles31 min
Apr 8, 9:50 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKGiles, Montgomery, Pulaski, City of Radford25 min
Apr 8, 9:58 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBland, Pulaski, Wythe32 min
Apr 8, 10:00 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBland30 min
Apr 8, 10:15 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKFloyd, Montgomery, Pulaski30 min
Apr 8, 10:29 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBland, Wythe14 min
Apr 8, 10:37 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCarroll, Floyd, Pulaski23 min
Apr 8, 10:52 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKHenry, City of Martinsville38 min
Apr 8, 11:11 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBland, Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe49 min
Apr 9, 12:00 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, Wythe30 min
Apr 9, 2:22 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKSmyth53 min
Apr 9, 2:50 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCarroll, Grayson, Smyth, Wythe85 min
Apr 9, 2:56 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKSmyth34 min
Apr 9, 3:18 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBland, Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe57 min
Apr 9, 3:23 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKGrayson, Smyth22 min
Apr 9, 3:42 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKGrayson33 min
Apr 9, 4:15 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCarroll, Floyd, Patrick, City of Galax35 min
Apr 9, 4:29 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKBland, Tazewell61 min
Apr 9, 4:58 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKGrayson, Smyth, Wythe32 min
Apr 9, 5:09 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKGiles, Pulaski, City of Radford66 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in North Carolina, 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.