Alert archive / Texas / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 11, NWS Brownsville, TX

April 20, 2012Cameron County, Texas

NWS Brownsville, TX issued this tornado warning at Apr 20, 2012, 6:30 PM CDT for Cameron County, Texas. It was in force for 30 min. 8 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 20, 2012, 6:30 PM CDT (23:30 UTC)
Expired
Apr 20, 2012, 7:00 PM CDT
In force
30 min
Issued by
NWS Brownsville, TX
Area
Storm-based polygon

County Cameron County, TX

The radar

The Brownsville radar (KBRO), 32 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:30 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 20, 6:35 PM CDTTORNADO6 Ssw Harlingen, TXREPORT OF FUNNEL AND TOUCH DOWN SOUTHWEST OF HIGHWAY 77 IN HARLINGEN. RESIDENT AT INTERSECTION OF RANGERVILLE ROAD AND CR 800 REPORTED SPLIT TREE BLOWN ACROSS ROAD AND DEBRIS IN BACKYARD.
Apr 20, 6:36 PM CDTHAIL 0.88Harlingen, TXNICKEL SIZE HAIL REPORTED AT 2425 ED CAREY ROAD.
Apr 20, 6:38 PM CDTFUNNEL CLOUD2 N San Benito, TXFUNNEL CLOUD REPORTED ON NORTH SIDE OF SAN BENITO.
Apr 20, 6:44 PM CDTHAIL 1Harlingen, TXQUARTER SIZED HAIL REPORTED NEAR HARLINGEN HIGH SCHOOL.
Apr 20, 6:45 PM CDTHAIL 1Harlingen, TXQUARTER SIZE REPORTED NEAR THE TREASURE HILLS AREA OF HARLINGEN.
Apr 20, 6:48 PM CDTFUNNEL CLOUDHarlingen, TXPUBLIC REPORTS FUNNEL CLOUD EAST OF HARLINGEN AIRPORT
Apr 20, 6:52 PM CDTFUNNEL CLOUDHarlingen, TXPUBLIC REPORT OF FUNNEL CLOUD NEAR HARLINGEN AIRPORT
Apr 20, 7:10 PM CDTHAIL 15 Ssw Rancho Viejo, TXMOSTLY NICKEL SIZED BUT SEVERAL STONES OF QUARTER SIZED EMBEDDED.

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 20, 2:29 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC5 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Brownsville Intl, TX (KBRO), launched 12:00Z, 11.5 hours before the alert went out and 34 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, Brownsville Intl, TX at 12:00Z on 2012-04-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1336 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, Brownsville Intl, TX at 12:00Z on 2012-04-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 144 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
1336 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-192 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
742 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
52 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
144 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
151 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
2.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

011 
WFUS54 KBRO 202330
TORBRO
TXC061-210000-
/O.NEW.KBRO.TO.W.0011.120420T2330Z-120421T0000Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
630 PM CDT FRI APR 20 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BROWNSVILLE HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  WESTERN CAMERON COUNTY IN DEEP SOUTH TEXAS.

* UNTIL 700 PM CDT

* AT 630 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS WERE   
TRACKING A TORNADO ON RADAR OVER HARLINGEN...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 40 
MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  SAN BENITO BY 630 PM CDT.
  LA PALOMA BY 635 PM CDT.
  RANCHO VIEJO BY 645 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

PLEASE REPORT TORNADOES OR FUNNEL CLOUDS...WINDS OF 58 MPH OR
HIGHER...HAIL THE SIZE OF PENNIES OR LARGER...AND ANY WIND DAMAGE TO
YOUR NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BROWNSVILLE BY CALLING 956-504-1432.

&&

LAT...LON 2616 9778 2627 9771 2601 9744 2594 9757
TIME...MOT...LOC 2330Z 317DEG 34KT 2613 9767

$$

JGG
4 follow-up statements
320 
WWUS54 KBRO 202335
SVSBRO

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
635 PM CDT FRI APR 20 2012

TXC061-210000-
/O.CON.KBRO.TO.W.0011.000000T0000Z-120421T0000Z/
CAMERON-
635 PM CDT FRI APR 20 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR WESTERN
CAMERON COUNTY...

AT 635 PM CDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS CONTINUED TO 
TRACK A TORNADO ON RADAR 3 MILES WEST OF SAN BENITO...MOVING 
SOUTHEAST AT 40 MPH. THIS STORM HAS STRONG ROTATION AND MAY PRODUCE 
A SIGNIFICANT TORNADO.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  EL CAMINO ANGOSTO BY 635 PM CDT.
  LAGO BY 640 PM CDT.
  RANCHO VIEJO BY 645 PM CDT.
  OLMITO BY 650 PM CDT.
  THE HIGHWAY 77 CORRRIDOR...AND FAR NORTHERN BROWNSVILLE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM! ACT QUICKLY. GO TO A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM
ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A STURDY BUILDING...AWAY FROM WINDOWS. COVER
YOUR HEAD WITH PILLOWS OR BLANKETS.

&&


LAT...LON 2616 9778 2627 9771 2601 9744 2594 9757
TIME...MOT...LOC 2335Z 317DEG 34KT 2611 9766

$$

JGG
906 
WWUS54 KBRO 202345
SVSBRO

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
645 PM CDT FRI APR 20 2012

TXC061-210000-
/O.CON.KBRO.TO.W.0011.000000T0000Z-120421T0000Z/
CAMERON-
645 PM CDT FRI APR 20 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
CAMERON COUNTY...

AT 645 PM CDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS CONTINUED TO 
TRACK A TORNADO ON RADAR 4 MILES SOUTH OF SAN BENITO...MOVING 
SOUTHEAST AT 35 MPH. SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD NEAR SAN 
BENITO AT 642 PM.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  VILLA CAVAZOS BY 645 PM CDT.
  SAN PEDRO BY 650 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM! ACT QUICKLY. GO TO A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM
ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A STURDY BUILDING...AWAY FROM WINDOWS. COVER
YOUR HEAD WITH PILLOWS OR BLANKETS.

&&


LAT...LON 2594 9757 2613 9775 2620 9765 2605 9748
      2601 9744
TIME...MOT...LOC 2345Z 330DEG 30KT 2603 9762

$$

JGG
376 
WWUS54 KBRO 202352
SVSBRO

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
652 PM CDT FRI APR 20 2012

TXC061-210000-
/O.CON.KBRO.TO.W.0011.000000T0000Z-120421T0000Z/
CAMERON-
652 PM CDT FRI APR 20 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR SOUTHERN
CAMERON COUNTY...

AT 651 PM CDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS CONTINUED TO 
TRACK A TORNADO ON RADAR 4 MILES WEST OF OLMITO...MOVING SOUTHEAST 
AT 35 MPH. MULTIPLE FUNNEL CLOUD REPORTS CONTINUE AND RADAR 
INDICATES STRONG ROTATION. SAN PEDRO AND NORTHWESTERN BROWNSVILLE 
ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  SAN PEDRO.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM! ACT QUICKLY. GO TO A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM
ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A STURDY BUILDING...AWAY FROM WINDOWS. COVER
YOUR HEAD WITH PILLOWS OR BLANKETS.

&&


LAT...LON 2601 9744 2594 9757 2603 9765 2609 9753
      2605 9748
TIME...MOT...LOC 2351Z 330DEG 30KT 2599 9759

$$

JGG
295 
WWUS54 KBRO 202358
SVSBRO

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
658 PM CDT FRI APR 20 2012

TXC061-210008-
/O.EXP.KBRO.TO.W.0011.000000T0000Z-120421T0000Z/
CAMERON-
658 PM CDT FRI APR 20 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHERN CAMERON COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 700
PM CDT...

A NEW TORNADO WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED.


LAT...LON 2601 9744 2594 9757 2603 9765 2609 9753
      2605 9748
TIME...MOT...LOC 2358Z 330DEG 30KT 2594 9756

$$

JGG

The office that day

Everything else NWS Brownsville, TX issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 20, 3:54 AM CDTSmall Craft AdvisoryBRO42 hr
Apr 20, 3:54 AM CDTSmall Craft Advisory for WindsBRO30 hr
Apr 20, 3:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROBrooks, Jim Hogg51 min
Apr 20, 3:57 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROBrooks, Jim Hogg, Starr48 min
Apr 20, 4:12 PM CDTTornado WarningBROJim Hogg10 min
Apr 20, 4:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROHidalgo, Starr46 min
Apr 20, 4:18 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROBrooks, Kenedy42 min
Apr 20, 4:36 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBROBrooks114 min
Apr 20, 4:37 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROKenedy38 min
Apr 20, 4:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROHidalgo52 min
Apr 20, 4:58 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROKenedy47 min
Apr 20, 5:04 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningBRO2 hr
Apr 20, 5:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROHidalgo52 min
Apr 20, 5:16 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROKenedy, Willacy27 min
Apr 20, 5:17 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBROHidalgo, Starr118 min
Apr 20, 5:20 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBROKenedy115 min
Apr 20, 5:27 PM CDTTornado WarningBROWillacy14 min
Apr 20, 5:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROHidalgo, Starr45 min
Apr 20, 5:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROWillacy50 min
Apr 20, 5:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROCameron, Hidalgo52 min
Apr 20, 5:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROHidalgo24 min
Apr 20, 6:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROHidalgo, Willacy29 min
Apr 20, 6:18 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROCameron42 min
Apr 20, 6:30 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBROCameron, Willacy2 hr
Apr 20, 6:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROCameron49 min
Apr 20, 6:57 PM CDTTornado WarningBROCameron12 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Texas, 2012Every tornado warning in 2012Tornadoes in 2012

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.