Alert archive / Texas / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 26, NWS Brownsville, TX

May 11, 2012Cameron County, Texas

NWS Brownsville, TX issued this tornado warning at May 11, 2012, 6:30 AM CDT for Cameron County, Texas. It was in force for 30 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
May 11, 2012, 6:30 AM CDT (11:30 UTC)
Expired
May 11, 2012, 7:00 AM CDT
In force
30 min
Issued by
NWS Brownsville, TX
Area
Storm-based polygon

County Cameron County, TX

The radar

The Brownsville radar (KBRO), 19 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 11:31 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 11, 6:33 AM CDTFUNNEL CLOUD5 Wsw Los Fresnos, TXINTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION EMPLOYEE REPORTED FUNNEL CLOUD DROPPED HALFWAY TO THE GROUND TWICE IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF LAURELES. GENERAL PUBLIC REPORTED THE SAME FUNNEL ABOUT 5 MILES NORTHEAST OF SAN PEDRO. NO DAMAGE REPORTED... UNCLEAR WH
May 11, 6:35 AM CDTTORNADO3 Nnw Los Fresnos, TXINTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION EMPLOYEE REPORTED TORNADO DROPPED HALFWAY TO THE GROUND TWICE IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF LAURELES.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Brownsville Intl, TX (KBRO), launched 00:00Z, 11.5 hours before the alert went out and 20 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 00:00Z on 2012-05-11Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2994 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Brownsville Intl, TX at 00:00Z on 2012-05-11The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 46 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
2994 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-6 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
687 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
35 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
46 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
134 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.5
Supercell composite
7.7

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

253 
WFUS54 KBRO 111130
TORBRO
TXC061-111200-
/O.NEW.KBRO.TO.W.0026.120511T1130Z-120511T1200Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
630 AM CDT FRI MAY 11 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BROWNSVILLE HAS ISSUED A

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

* UNTIL 700 AM CDT

* AT 630 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS WERE   
TRACKING A TORNADO ON RADAR TWO MILES WEST OF LOS FRESNOS...MOVING 
EAST AT 25 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  OLMITO.
  LOS FRESNOS.
  LAGUNA VISTA.
  HIGHWAY 100

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 2600 9756 2611 9757 2615 9729 2612 9728
      2611 9728 2611 9729 2609 9727 2609 9725
      2600 9724
TIME...MOT...LOC 1130Z 267DEG 21KT 2605 9750

$$

JGG
4 follow-up statements
139 
WWUS54 KBRO 111138
SVSBRO

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
638 AM CDT FRI MAY 11 2012

TXC061-111200-
/O.CON.KBRO.TO.W.0026.000000T0000Z-120511T1200Z/
CAMERON-
638 AM CDT FRI MAY 11 2012

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

AT 637 AM CDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS CONTINUED TO 
TRACK A TORNADO NEAR LOS FRESNOS...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH....SPOTTERS 
REPORT A TORNADO TOUCHDOWN NEAR LAURELES. RADAR INDICATES STRONG 
ROTATION...TAKE COVER NOW!

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  LOS FRESNOS.
  DEL MAR HEIGHTS.
  BAYVIEW.
  LOS CUATES.
  HOLLY BEACH.
  LAGUNA VISTA.

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 2601 9753 2610 9755 2615 9729 2612 9728
      2611 9728 2611 9729 2609 9727 2609 9725
      2600 9724
TIME...MOT...LOC 1137Z 267DEG 21KT 2605 9745

$$

JGG
453 
WWUS54 KBRO 111150
SVSBRO

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
650 AM CDT FRI MAY 11 2012

TXC061-111200-
/O.CON.KBRO.TO.W.0026.000000T0000Z-120511T1200Z/
CAMERON-
650 AM CDT FRI MAY 11 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 AM CDT FOR EASTERN
CAMERON COUNTY...

AT 650 AM CDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS CONTINUED TO 
TRACK A TORNADO ON RADAR ABOUT 5 MILES WEST OF LAGUNA VISTA...NEAR 
HIGHWAY 100..MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  LOS CUATES.
  HOLLY BEACH.
  LAGUNA VISTA.
  HIGHWAY 100.

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 2601 9745 2611 9746 2615 9729 2612 9728
      2611 9728 2611 9729 2609 9727 2609 9725
      2600 9724
TIME...MOT...LOC 1150Z 264DEG 26KT 2608 9736

$$

JGG
858 
WWUS54 KBRO 111155
SVSBRO

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
655 AM CDT FRI MAY 11 2012

TXC061-111200-
/O.CON.KBRO.TO.W.0026.000000T0000Z-120511T1200Z/
CAMERON-
655 AM CDT FRI MAY 11 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 AM CDT FOR EASTERN
CAMERON COUNTY...

AT 654 AM CDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS CONTINUED TO 
TRACK A TORNADO ON RADAR 8 MILES WEST OF LAGUNA MADRE...MOVING EAST 
AT 30 MPH. AN OFF DUTY NWS METEOROLOGIST CONFIRMS A ROTATING WALL 
CLOUD WITH THIS STORM AND A TORNADO MAY TOUCH DOWN AGAIN AT ANY 
MOMENT.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  LOS CUATES BY 655 AM CDT.
  LAGUNA VISTA BY 700 AM 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 2601 9745 2611 9746 2615 9729 2612 9728
      2611 9728 2611 9729 2609 9727 2609 9725
      2600 9724
TIME...MOT...LOC 1154Z 264DEG 24KT 2609 9732

$$

JGG
391 
WWUS54 KBRO 111159
SVSBRO

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
659 AM CDT FRI MAY 11 2012

TXC061-111209-
/O.EXP.KBRO.TO.W.0026.000000T0000Z-120511T1200Z/
CAMERON-
659 AM CDT FRI MAY 11 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EASTERN CAMERON COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 700
AM CDT...

THE WARNING HAS BEEN REPLACED BY A NEW WARNING FOR EASTERN CAMERON 
COUNTY UNTIL 730 AM.

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 2601 9745 2611 9746 2615 9729 2612 9728
      2611 9728 2611 9729 2609 9727 2609 9725
      2600 9724
TIME...MOT...LOC 1159Z 264DEG 24KT 2609 9728

$$

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, 10:56 PM CDTTornado WarningBROZapata34 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, 6:45 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.