Alert archive / Michigan / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 3, NWS Detroit, MI

March 15, 2012Livingston County, Washtenaw County, Michigan

NWS Detroit, MI issued this tornado warning at Mar 15, 2012, 5:07 PM EDT for Livingston County, Washtenaw County, Michigan. It was in force for 53 min. 6 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
Mar 15, 2012, 5:07 PM EDT (21:07 UTC)
Expired
Mar 15, 2012, 6:00 PM EDT
In force
53 min
Issued by
NWS Detroit, MI
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Livingston County, MI, Washtenaw County, MI

The radar

The Detroit radar (KDTX), 48 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:07 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
Mar 15, 5:07 PM EDTHAIL 11 Ssw Pinckney, MI
Mar 15, 5:17 PM EDTTORNADO4 S Pinckney, MIA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STORM DAMAGE SURVEY CONFIRMED A TORNADO IN WASHTENAW COUNTY. THE TORNADO WAS RATED AN EF3...WITH MAXIMUM WIND SPEEDS OF 135 TO 140 MPH. THE ESTIMATED PATH LENGTH OF THE TORNADO IS 7.2 MILES WITH A MAXIMUM WIDTH OF 800 YARDS. THE MOST
Mar 15, 5:19 PM EDTFUNNEL CLOUD4 S Pinckney, MIREPORT OF FUNNEL CLOUD NORTH OF DEXTER TOWNHALL RD AND N TERRITORIAL RD
Mar 15, 5:30 PM EDTHAIL 11 Wsw Whitmore Lake, MI
Mar 15, 5:40 PM EDTHAIL 1.752 Ne Dexter, MI
Mar 15, 5:40 PM EDTTORNADO2 Ne Dexter, MIMULTIPLE REPORTS OF TORNADO ON THE GROUND WITH DAMAGE TO TREES, POWERLINES, AND A SHED

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
Mar 15, 4:28 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Detroit, MI (KDTX), launched 12:00Z, 9.1 hours before the alert went out and 52 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, Detroit, MI at 12:00Z on 2012-03-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2007 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, Detroit, MI at 12:00Z on 2012-03-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 78 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
2007 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-65 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
802 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
18 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
78 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
66 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

646 
WFUS53 KDTX 152107
TORDTX
MIC093-161-152200-
/O.NEW.KDTX.TO.W.0003.120315T2107Z-120315T2200Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT/PONTIAC MI
507 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DETROIT/PONTIAC HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHEASTERN LIVINGSTON COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN...
  NORTHERN WASHTENAW COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN...

* UNTIL 600 PM EDT

* AT 507 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO. THIS DANGEROUS
  STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR PINCKNEY...AND MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.

* THIS DANGEROUS STORM WILL BE NEAR...
  PINCKNEY AROUND 515 PM EDT.
  HUDSON MILLS AROUND 520 PM EDT.
  HUDSON MILLS METROPARK AROUND 525 PM EDT.
  LAKELAND AROUND 540 PM EDT.
  HAMBURG AROUND 550 PM EDT.
  WHITMORE LAKE AND ISLAND LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA AROUND 600 PM
  EDT.

THE WARNING INCLUDES AREAS SURROUNDING THESE LOCATIONS...
  WHITMORE LAKE...      PINCKNEY...           HAMBURG...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THIS TORNADO WARNING REPLACES THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING THAT
WAS IN EFFECT FOR THE SAME AREA.

TAKE COVER NOW. MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A
STURDY BUILDING. AVOID WINDOWS. IF IN A MOBILE HOME...A VEHICLE OR
OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER AND PROTECT
YOURSELF FROM FLYING DEBRIS.

&&

LAT...LON 4246 8409 4252 8367 4233 8366 4236 8410
TIME...MOT...LOC 2108Z 264DEG 12KT 4243 8398

$$

SC/KURIMSKI
4 follow-up statements
281 
WWUS53 KDTX 152114
SVSDTX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT/PONTIAC MI
514 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

MIC093-161-152200-
/O.CON.KDTX.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-120315T2200Z/
LIVINGSTON MI-WASHTENAW MI-
514 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHERN WASHTENAW AND
SOUTHEASTERN LIVINGSTON COUNTIES UNTIL 600 PM EDT...

AT 511 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS DANGEROUS
STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR PINCKNEY...MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.

THIS DANGEROUS STORM WILL BE NEAR...
  HUDSON MILLS AND HUDSON MILLS METROPARK AROUND 525 PM EDT.
  LAKELAND AROUND 540 PM EDT.
  HAMBURG AROUND 550 PM EDT.
  WHITMORE LAKE AND ISLAND LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA AROUND 600 PM
  EDT.

THE WARNING INCLUDES AREAS SURROUNDING THESE LOCATIONS...
  WHITMORE LAKE...      PINCKNEY...           HAMBURG...
  GREGORY...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW. MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A
STURDY BUILDING. AVOID WINDOWS. IF IN A MOBILE HOME...A VEHICLE OR
OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER AND PROTECT
YOURSELF FROM FLYING DEBRIS.

&&

LAT...LON 4246 8409 4252 8367 4233 8366 4236 8410
TIME...MOT...LOC 2114Z 272DEG 13KT 4242 8396

$$

KURIMSKI
433 
WWUS53 KDTX 152121
SVSDTX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT/PONTIAC MI
521 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

MIC093-161-152200-
/O.CON.KDTX.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-120315T2200Z/
LIVINGSTON MI-WASHTENAW MI-
521 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHERN WASHTENAW AND
SOUTHEASTERN LIVINGSTON COUNTIES UNTIL 600 PM EDT...

AT 519 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS DANGEROUS
STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR PINCKNEY...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 15 MPH.

THIS DANGEROUS STORM WILL BE NEAR...
  HUDSON MILLS AROUND 530 PM EDT.
  HUDSON MILLS METROPARK AND LAKELAND AROUND 535 PM EDT.
  HAMBURG AROUND 545 PM EDT.
  WHITMORE LAKE AROUND 555 PM EDT.

THE WARNING INCLUDES AREAS SURROUNDING THESE LOCATIONS...
  WHITMORE LAKE...      PINCKNEY...           HAMBURG...
  GREGORY...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW. MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A
STURDY BUILDING. AVOID WINDOWS. IF IN A MOBILE HOME...A VEHICLE OR
OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER AND PROTECT
YOURSELF FROM FLYING DEBRIS.

&&

LAT...LON 4246 8409 4252 8367 4233 8366 4236 8410
TIME...MOT...LOC 2121Z 294DEG 11KT 4240 8395

$$

KURIMSKI
136 
WWUS53 KDTX 152126
SVSDTX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT/PONTIAC MI
526 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

MIC093-161-152200-
/O.CON.KDTX.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-120315T2200Z/
LIVINGSTON MI-WASHTENAW MI-
526 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHERN WASHTENAW AND
SOUTHEASTERN LIVINGSTON COUNTIES UNTIL 600 PM EDT...

AT 523 PM EDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD.  A
TORNADO MAY DEVELOP AT ANY TIME. THIS DANGEROUS STORM WAS LOCATED
NEAR DEXTER...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 20 MPH.

THIS DANGEROUS STORM WILL AFFECT MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF NORTHERN
WASHTENAW AND SOUTHEASTERN LIVINGSTON COUNTIES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW. MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A
STURDY BUILDING. AVOID WINDOWS. IF IN A MOBILE HOME...A VEHICLE OR
OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER AND PROTECT
YOURSELF FROM FLYING DEBRIS.

&&

LAT...LON 4246 8409 4252 8367 4233 8366 4236 8410
TIME...MOT...LOC 2126Z 331DEG 15KT 4237 8394

$$

KURIMSKI
074 
WWUS53 KDTX 152149
SVSDTX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT/PONTIAC MI
549 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

MIC093-152157-
/O.CAN.KDTX.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-120315T2200Z/
LIVINGSTON MI-
549 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN LIVINGSTON COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

THE STORM WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS MOVED OUT OF THE WARNED 
AREA.

ADDITIONAL THUNDERSTORMS ARE STILL POSSIBLE...AND A SEVERE 
THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT.

LAT...LON 4242 8398 4243 8366 4233 8366 4235 8400
TIME...MOT...LOC 2147Z 322DEG 7KT 4234 8389

$$

MIC161-152200-
/O.CON.KDTX.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-120315T2200Z/
WASHTENAW MI-
549 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR NORTH CENTRAL WASHTENAW
COUNTY UNTIL 600 PM EDT...

...A TORNADO WARNING REMIANS IN EFFECT FOR THE REST OF WASHTENAW 
COUNTY UNTIL 630 PM EDT...

AT 543 PM EDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A TORNADO WITH 
CONFIRMED DAMAGE.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR DEXTER...MOVING 
SOUTHEAST AT 10 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
WASHTENAW COUNTY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW. MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A
STURDY BUILDING. AVOID WINDOWS. IF IN A MOBILE HOME...A VEHICLE OR
OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER AND PROTECT
YOURSELF FROM FLYING DEBRIS.

&&

LAT...LON 4242 8398 4243 8366 4233 8366 4235 8400
TIME...MOT...LOC 2147Z 322DEG 7KT 4234 8389

$$

KURIMSKI

The office that day

Everything else NWS Detroit, MI issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 15, 10:35 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningDTX55 min
Mar 15, 10:55 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXMacomb, Wayne30 min
Mar 15, 12:56 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningDTX94 min
Mar 15, 1:56 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningDTX64 min
Mar 15, 3:03 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXHuron72 min
Mar 15, 3:06 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningDTX105 min
Mar 15, 3:24 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningDTX2 hr
Mar 15, 3:28 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningDTX92 min
Mar 15, 3:31 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXBay59 min
Mar 15, 4:01 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXHuron48 min
Mar 15, 4:09 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXLivingston81 min
Mar 15, 4:26 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXGenesee, Saginaw30 min
Mar 15, 4:28 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXBay77 min
Mar 15, 4:36 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXLenawee84 min
Mar 15, 4:40 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXGenesee, Tuscola95 min
Mar 15, 4:42 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXShiawassee55 min
Mar 15, 4:53 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningDTX97 min
Mar 15, 4:57 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXWashtenaw93 min
Mar 15, 5:28 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningDTX92 min
Mar 15, 5:28 PM EDTTornado WarningDTXWashtenaw62 min
Mar 15, 5:33 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXMonroe87 min
Mar 15, 5:37 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXLapeer, Tuscola83 min
Mar 15, 5:45 PM EDTTornado WarningDTXMonroe16 min
Mar 15, 6:16 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXGenesee, Tuscola29 min
Mar 15, 6:22 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningDTX113 min
Mar 15, 6:28 PM EDTTornado WarningDTXWashtenaw47 min
Mar 15, 6:33 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXLenawee42 min
Mar 15, 6:34 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXTuscola56 min
Mar 15, 6:44 PM EDTTornado WarningDTXLapeer34 min
Mar 15, 6:45 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXOakland29 min
Mar 15, 6:51 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningDTXWashtenaw3 hr
Mar 15, 6:57 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningDTX93 min
Mar 15, 6:58 PM EDTTornado WarningDTXLenawee, Monroe47 min
Mar 15, 7:03 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXWayne25 min
Mar 15, 7:06 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXHuron, Sanilac54 min
Mar 15, 7:12 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningDTX2 hr
Mar 15, 7:17 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXLapeer73 min
Mar 15, 7:19 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningDTXGenesee, Lapeer, Tuscola5 hr
Mar 15, 7:26 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXBay16 min
Mar 15, 7:47 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXMonroe52 min
Mar 15, 7:52 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXLapeer47 min
Mar 15, 7:55 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXLenawee44 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Michigan, 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.