Alert archive / Michigan / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 6, NWS Detroit, MI

March 15, 2012Washtenaw County, Michigan

NWS Detroit, MI issued this tornado warning at Mar 15, 2012, 6:28 PM EDT for Washtenaw County, Michigan. It was in force for 47 min. 1 report 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, 6:28 PM EDT (22:28 UTC)
Expired
Mar 15, 2012, 7:15 PM EDT
In force
47 min
Issued by
NWS Detroit, MI
Area
Storm-based polygon

County Washtenaw County, MI

The radar

The Detroit radar (KDTX), 59 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:28 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, 6:30 PM EDTHAIL 1Ann Arbor, MI

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, 10.5 hours before the alert went out and 62 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.

679 
WFUS53 KDTX 152228
TORDTX
MIC161-152315-
/O.NEW.KDTX.TO.W.0006.120315T2228Z-120315T2315Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DETROIT/PONTIAC HAS ISSUED A

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

* UNTIL 715 PM EDT

* AT 626 PM EDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD
  NEAR SALINE. A TORNADO MAY DEVELOP AT ANY TIME. DOPPLER RADAR
  SHOWED THIS DANGEROUS STORM MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

  IN ADDITION...LARGE HAIL OVER 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER IS POSSIBLE     
  WITH THIS STORM AND WITH ADDITIONAL STORMS TO THE NORTH.

* THIS DANGEROUS STORM WILL BE NEAR...
  MILAN AND WHITTAKER AROUND 640 PM EDT.

THE WARNING INCLUDES AREAS SURROUNDING THESE LOCATIONS...
  WILLIS...             DIXBORO...            YPSILANTI...
  SALINE...             MILAN...              ANN ARBOR...

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 4228 8397 4236 8355 4208 8354 4208 8380
TIME...MOT...LOC 2227Z 314DEG 26KT 4217 8373

$$

SC/KURIMSKI
3 follow-up statements
607 
WWUS53 KDTX 152237 RRA
SVSDTX

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

MIC161-152315-
/O.CON.KDTX.TO.W.0006.000000T0000Z-120315T2315Z/
WASHTENAW MI-
637 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHEASTERN WASHTENAW
COUNTY UNTIL 715 PM EDT...

AT 636 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS DANGEROUS
STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR SALINE...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 15 MPH.

IN ADDITION...LARGE HAIL OVER 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER IS POSSIBLE     
WITH THIS STORM AND WITH ADDITIONAL STORMS TO THE NORTH.

THIS DANGEROUS STORM WILL BE NEAR...
  PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP AROUND 645 PM EDT.
  MILAN AROUND 700 PM EDT.
  WHITTAKER AND WILLIS AROUND 710 PM EDT.

THE WARNING INCLUDES AREAS SURROUNDING THESE LOCATIONS...
  WILLIS...             DIXBORO...            YPSILANTI...
  SALINE...             MILAN...              ANN ARBOR...

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 4228 8397 4236 8355 4208 8354 4208 8380
TIME...MOT...LOC 2237Z 304DEG 15KT 4217 8377

$$

KURIMSKI
135 
WWUS53 KDTX 152250
SVSDTX

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

MIC161-152315-
/O.CON.KDTX.TO.W.0006.000000T0000Z-120315T2315Z/
WASHTENAW MI-
650 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHEASTERN WASHTENAW
COUNTY UNTIL 715 PM EDT...

AT 649 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS DANGEROUS
STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR MILAN...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 20 MPH.

THIS DANGEROUS STORM WILL BE NEAR...
  MILAN AROUND 700 PM EDT.
  WHITTAKER AND WILLIS AROUND 705 PM EDT.

THE WARNING INCLUDES AREAS SURROUNDING THESE LOCATIONS...
  WILLIS...             DIXBORO...            YPSILANTI...
  SALINE...             MILAN...              ANN ARBOR...

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 4228 8397 4236 8355 4208 8354 4208 8380
TIME...MOT...LOC 2250Z 307DEG 16KT 4212 8371

$$

KURIMSKI
051 
WWUS53 KDTX 152305
SVSDTX

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

MIC161-152316-
/O.EXP.KDTX.TO.W.0006.000000T0000Z-120315T2315Z/
WASHTENAW MI-
705 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN WASHTENAW COUNTY WILL EXPIRE
AT 715 PM EDT...

THE STORM WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS WEAKENED BELOW SEVERE 
LIMITS...AND NO LONGER POSES AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO LIFE OR 
PROPERTY. HOWEVER SMALL HAIL...GUSTY WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN ARE STILL 
POSSIBLE WITH THIS THUNDERSTORM.

IN ADDITION...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS MAY REDEVELOP...AND A SEVERE 
THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT.

LAT...LON 4228 8397 4236 8355 4208 8354 4208 8380
TIME...MOT...LOC 2306Z 307DEG 16KT 4208 8363

$$

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, 5:07 PM EDTTornado WarningDTXLivingston, Washtenaw53 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, 6:33 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.