Alert archive / Texas / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 16, NWS Brownsville, TX

May 10, 2012Zapata County, Texas

NWS Brownsville, TX issued this tornado warning at May 10, 2012, 10:56 PM CDT for Zapata County, Texas. It was in force for 34 min. 3 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
May 10, 2012, 10:56 PM CDT (03:56 UTC)
Expired
May 10, 2012, 11:30 PM CDT
In force
34 min
Issued by
NWS Brownsville, TX
Area
Storm-based polygon

County Zapata County, TX

The radar

The Corpus Christi radar (KCRP), 200 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:55 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
May 10, 11:20 PM CDTHAIL 1Zapata, TXQUARTER SIZE HAIL. SPECIFIC LOCATION WITHIN CITY UNKNOWN.
May 10, 11:22 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 70Zapata, TXTRAINED SPOTTER ESTIMATED WIND GUSTS OF 65 TO 70 MPH IN DOWNTOWN ZAPATA AT THE INTERSECTION OF 5TH AVE AND LINCOLN ST.
May 10, 11:24 PM CDTHAIL 0.75Zapata, TXTRAINED SPOTTER REPORTED PENNY SIZED HAIL IN DOWNTOWN ZAPATA AT THE INTERSECTION OF 5TH AVE AND LINCOLN ST.

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
May 10, 7:50 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Corpus Christi, TX (KCRP), launched 00:00Z, 3.9 hours before the alert went out and 212 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, Corpus Christi, TX at 00:00Z on 2012-05-11Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2214 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, Corpus Christi, TX at 00:00Z on 2012-05-11The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 204 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
2214 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-8 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
636 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
54 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
204 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
274 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
3.4
Supercell composite
14.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

933 
WFUS54 KBRO 110356
TORBRO
TXC505-110430-
/O.NEW.KBRO.TO.W.0016.120511T0356Z-120511T0430Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
1056 PM CDT THU MAY 10 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BROWNSVILLE HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  CENTRAL ZAPATA COUNTY IN DEEP SOUTH TEXAS.

* UNTIL 1130 PM CDT

* AT 1056 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS WERE   
TRACKING A TORNADO ON RADAR 7 MILES WEST OF ZAPATA...MOVING EAST AT 
20 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  FALCON MESA.
  ZAPATA.
  FALCON SHORES.
  BUSTAMANTE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM! MOVE INTO THE INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST
FLOOR OF A STURDY BUILDING...AWAY FROM WINDOWS. COVER YOUR HEAD AND
BODY WITH PILLOWS OR BLANKETS.

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 2701 9911 2682 9909 2682 9927 2684 9927
      2686 9929 2686 9932 2688 9933 2691 9933
      2692 9934 2693 9938 2694 9939
TIME...MOT...LOC 0356Z 261DEG 16KT 2689 9937

$$
JGG
3 follow-up statements
555 
WWUS54 KBRO 110406
SVSBRO

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
1106 PM CDT THU MAY 10 2012

TXC505-110430-
/O.CON.KBRO.TO.W.0016.000000T0000Z-120511T0430Z/
ZAPATA-
1106 PM CDT THU MAY 10 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1130 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
ZAPATA COUNTY...

AT 1105 PM CDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS CONTINUED TO 
TRACK A TORNADO ON RADAR 5 MILES WEST OF ZAPATA...MOVING EAST AT 25 
MPH. RESIDENTS OF THE ZAPATA AREA SHOULD TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY. 
INCLUDING SIESTA SHORES AND THE HIGHWAY 83 AREA NEAR ZAPATA. IN 
ADDITION TO THE THREAT OF A TORNADO...STRAIGHT LINE WINDS TO 80 MPH 
AND GOLF BALL SIZED HAIL IS POSSIBLE.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  LINDA VISTA.
  BLACK BASS.
  BUSTAMANTE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TORNADOES ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT. TAKE COVER NOW! MOVE TO
A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR. ABANDON MOBILE HOMES. IF
IN A VEHICLE AND THERE IS NO STURDY BUILDING NEARBY...PARK. CLOSE
WINDOWS...LEAVE SEATBELTS ON...GET LOWER THAN THE DASHBOARD...AND
COVER YOUR HEAD...PREFERABLY WITH BLANKETS OR PILLOWS. IF THERE IS NO
DEBRIS...LEAVE THE VEHICLE AND GO INTO A DITCH OR LOW SPOT...BUT
WATCH FOR RISING WATERS.

&&


LAT...LON 2701 9911 2682 9909 2682 9927 2684 9927
      2686 9929 2686 9932 2688 9933 2691 9933
      2692 9934 2693 9938 2694 9939
TIME...MOT...LOC 0405Z 267DEG 21KT 2688 9933

$$

JGG
546 
WWUS54 KBRO 110421
SVSBRO

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
1121 PM CDT THU MAY 10 2012

TXC505-110430-
/O.CON.KBRO.TO.W.0016.000000T0000Z-120511T0430Z/
ZAPATA-
1121 PM CDT THU MAY 10 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1130 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
ZAPATA COUNTY...

AT 1120 PM CDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS CONTINUED TO 
TRACK A TORNADO ON RADAR NEAR AND JUST SOUTHWEST OF ZAPATA...MOVING 
EAST AT 30 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE ZAPATA...SIESTA SHORES...AND 
HIGHWAY 83.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TORNADOES ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT. TAKE COVER NOW! MOVE TO
A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR. ABANDON MOBILE HOMES. IF
IN A VEHICLE AND THERE IS NO STURDY BUILDING NEARBY...PARK. CLOSE
WINDOWS...LEAVE SEATBELTS ON...GET LOWER THAN THE DASHBOARD...AND
COVER YOUR HEAD...PREFERABLY WITH BLANKETS OR PILLOWS. IF THERE IS NO
DEBRIS...LEAVE THE VEHICLE AND GO INTO A DITCH OR LOW SPOT...BUT
WATCH FOR RISING WATERS.

&&


LAT...LON 2695 9911 2682 9909 2682 9927 2684 9927
      2686 9929 2686 9931 2688 9933 2691 9933
TIME...MOT...LOC 0420Z 292DEG 27KT 2684 9924

$$

JGG
317 
WWUS54 KBRO 110426
SVSBRO

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
1126 PM CDT THU MAY 10 2012

TXC505-110436-
/O.EXP.KBRO.TO.W.0016.000000T0000Z-120511T0430Z/
ZAPATA-
1126 PM CDT THU MAY 10 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL ZAPATA COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 1130
PM CDT...

THIS TORNADO WARNING HAS BEEN REPLACED BY A NEW TORNADO WARNING 
EFFECTIVE UNTIL MIDNIGHT FOR SOUTHERN ZAPATA COUNTY.

LAT...LON 2695 9911 2682 9909 2682 9927 2684 9927
      2686 9929 2686 9931 2688 9933 2691 9933
TIME...MOT...LOC 0426Z 292DEG 27KT 2682 9919

$$

JGG

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 10, 9:37 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROZapata53 min
May 10, 10:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROJim Hogg, Starr, Zapata71 min
May 10, 11:18 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBROJim Hogg, Zapata57 min
May 10, 11:24 PM CDTTornado WarningBROZapata36 min
May 10, 11:33 PM CDTTornado WarningBROJim Hogg, Starr42 min
May 10, 11:36 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBROJim Hogg, Zapata84 min
May 10, 11:41 PM CDTTornado WarningBROJim Hogg, Zapata24 min
May 10, 11:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROBrooks, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Starr, Zapata76 min
May 11, 12:01 AM CDTTornado WarningBROJim Hogg29 min
May 11, 12:13 AM CDTTornado WarningBROBrooks, Jim Hogg47 min
May 11, 12:47 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROBrooks, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Kenedy, Starr, Willacy88 min
May 11, 1:07 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBROStarr53 min
May 11, 1:39 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningBRO2 hr
May 11, 1:58 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBROHidalgo, Starr62 min
May 11, 2:14 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningBRO2 hr
May 11, 2:49 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROCameron41 min
May 11, 3:14 AM CDTTornado WarningBROCameron31 min
May 11, 3:41 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningBRO2 hr
May 11, 3:41 AM CDTTornado WarningBROCameron, Willacy34 min
May 11, 3:53 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROHidalgo52 min
May 11, 4:10 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBROCameron38 min
May 11, 4:20 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningBRO115 min
May 11, 4:29 AM CDTTornado WarningBROCameron31 min
May 11, 4:47 AM CDTTornado WarningBROCameron28 min
May 11, 6:11 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningBRO64 min
May 11, 6:30 AM CDTTornado WarningBROCameron30 min
May 11, 6:45 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningBRO60 min
May 11, 6:58 AM CDTTornado WarningBROCameron32 min
May 11, 7:12 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningBRO93 min
May 11, 11:48 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningBRO57 min
May 11, 12:37 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningBRO53 min
May 11, 1:27 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningBRO63 min
May 11, 2:01 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningBRO59 min
May 11, 2:26 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningBRO49 min
May 11, 3:25 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningBRO50 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.