Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2012
Tornado Warning 7, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this tornado warning at Mar 2, 2012, 8:13 PM EST for Macon County, North Carolina. It was in force for 62 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
- Mar 2, 2012, 8:13 PM EST (01:13 UTC)
- Expired
- Mar 2, 2012, 9:15 PM EST
- In force
- 62 min
- Issued by
- NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
County Macon County, NC
The radar
The Knoxville radar (KMRX), 111 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:14 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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2, 8:25 PM EST | TSTM WND DMG | Nantahala Lake, NC | NUMEROUS TREES DOWN IN THE NANTAHALA AREA. |
| Mar 2, 8:30 PM EST | HAIL 1.75 | Nantahala Lake, NC | GOLF BALL SIZED HAIL AS STORM CROSSED. |
| Mar 2, 8:45 PM EST | TSTM WND DMG | 2 Nw Franklin, NC | A FEW TREES DOWN NEAR FRANKLIN. |
| Mar 2, 8:45 PM EST | HAIL 1.5 | 3 Nw Franklin, NC | SPOTTER UNDER THE STORM REPORTED HAIL ONE AND A HALF INCH DIAMETER. DOES NOT KNOW OF ANY WIND DAMAGE IN HIS AREA. |
| Mar 2, 8:48 PM EST | HAIL 0.25 | 5 N Franklin, NC | GOLF BALL HAIL AND TREES DOWN REPORTED BY 911 OPERATOR |
| Mar 2, 8:48 PM EST | HAIL 1.75 | 5 N Franklin, NC | GOLF BALL HAIL AND TREES DOWN |
| Mar 2, 8:50 PM EST | HAIL 1.75 | 1 N Franklin, NC | GOLF BALL SIZED HAIL FELL IN OR NEAR FRANKLIN AS STORM PASSED. GOT A REPORT FROM A TRAVELER PASSING THROUGH ABOUT A MILE NORTH OF DOWNTOWN FRANKLIN OF VERY STRONG WIND THAT BLEW THE CAR BACKWARD SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT. |
| Mar 2, 8:58 PM EST | HAIL 2 | 5 Ese Franklin, NC | FIRE DEPARTMENT IN CULLASAJA HAD HAIL LARGER THAN GOLF BALL BUT LIKELY A BIT LESS THAN TENNIS BALL. THEREFORE...LIME SIZED HAIL FELL AT THEIR LOCATION. |
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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2, 3:19 PM EST | Tornado Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 00:00Z, 1.2 hours before the alert went out and 220 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 540 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -34 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 948 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 62 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 212 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 274 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.8
- Supercell composite
- 4.4
The text
As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.
965
WFUS52 KGSP 030113
TORGSP
NCC113-030215-
/O.NEW.KGSP.TO.W.0007.120303T0113Z-120303T0215Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
813 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG HAS ISSUED A
* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
MACON COUNTY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...
THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF FRANKLIN...
* UNTIL 915 PM EST
* AT 809 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 17 MILES WEST OF
NANTAHALA LAKE...OR 4 MILES NORTHEAST OF MURPHY...MOVING EAST AT 45
MPH.
* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
NANTAHALA LAKE...
KYLE AND RAINBOW SPRINGS...
FRANKLIN...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TORNADOES WHICH OCCUR AFTER DARK ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS. PEOPLE IN
THE WARNED AREA SHOULD PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR THIS TORNADO. MOBILE
HOMES AND VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER.
OTHERWISE...GO TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME
OR PLACE OF BUSINESS.
TO REPORT TORNADOES...DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL...OR FLOODING...
THROUGH OUR AUTOMATED REPORTING SYSTEM...CALL OUR TOLL FREE NUMBER...
1 8 7 7...6 3 3...6 7 7 2.
&&
LAT...LON 3519 8372 3521 8373 3523 8370 3525 8370
3531 8333 3527 8332 3523 8327 3507 8317
3506 8318 3505 8357 3508 8359 3515 8366
3516 8374
TIME...MOT...LOC 0113Z 263DEG 37KT 3514 8392
$$
MOORE6 follow-up statements
589
WWUS52 KGSP 030125
SVSGSP
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
825 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012
NCC113-030215-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-120303T0215Z/
MACON NC-
825 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 PM EST FOR MACON
COUNTY...
AT 822 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 7 MILES WEST OF
NANTAHALA LAKE...OR 5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF ANDREWS...MOVING EAST AT 50
MPH. PEOPLE LIVING NEAR NANTAHALA LAKE SHOULD TAKE COVER NOW!!!
OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO KYLE...
RAINBOW SPRINGS...OTTO AND FRANKLIN
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO THREAT...DAMAGING HAIL TO THE SIZE OF
GOLF BALLS WILL PRECEDE THE TORNADO. WIND DRIVEN HAIL OF THIS SIZE
POSES A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY AND DAMAGE. MOBILE HOMES AND
VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER. OTHERWISE...GO TO
AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME OR PLACE OF
BUSINESS.
&&
LAT...LON 3519 8372 3521 8373 3523 8370 3525 8370
3531 8333 3527 8332 3523 8327 3507 8317
3506 8318 3505 8357 3508 8359 3515 8366
3516 8374
TIME...MOT...LOC 0125Z 267DEG 43KT 3515 8373
$$
MOORE733
WWUS52 KGSP 030134 RRA
SVSGSP
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
834 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012
NCC113-030215-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-120303T0215Z/
MACON NC-
834 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 PM EST FOR MACON
COUNTY...
AT 830 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR NANTAHALA LAKE...
OR 10 MILES EAST OF ANDREWS...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.
THIS SEVERE THUNDERSTORM...WITH A TORNADO INDICATED BY RADAR...WAS
MOVING TOWARD FRANKLIN. PEOPLE LIVING IN AND NEAR FRANKLIN SHOULD
FIND A SAFE PLACE AND TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY!!!
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TORNADOES WHICH OCCUR AFTER DARK ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS. PEOPLE IN
THE WARNED AREA SHOULD PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR THIS TORNADO. MOBILE
HOMES AND VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER.
OTHERWISE...GO TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME
OR PLACE OF BUSINESS.
&&
LAT...LON 3526 8363 3531 8333 3527 8332 3523 8327
3507 8317 3506 8318 3505 8357 3512 8362
3515 8366 3516 8370
TIME...MOT...LOC 0133Z 266DEG 45KT 3516 8360
$$
MOORE017
WWUS52 KGSP 030141
SVSGSP
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
841 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012
NCC113-030215-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-120303T0215Z/
MACON NC-
841 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 PM EST FOR MACON
COUNTY...
AT 837 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 9 MILES WEST OF
FRANKLIN...MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH.
THE TORNADO WAS HEADING TOWARD FRANKLIN. PEOPLE LIVING IN AND AROUND
FRANKLIN SHOULD TAKE COVER NOW!!! THE ACTION YOU TAKE RIGHT NOW MAY
SAVE YOUR LIFE!!!
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TORNADOES WHICH OCCUR AFTER DARK ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS. PEOPLE IN
THE WARNED AREA SHOULD PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR THIS TORNADO. MOBILE
HOMES AND VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER.
OTHERWISE...GO TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME
OR PLACE OF BUSINESS.
&&
LAT...LON 3521 8362 3526 8355 3531 8333 3527 8332
3523 8327 3507 8317 3506 8318 3509 8355
3512 8362 3515 8363
TIME...MOT...LOC 0139Z 266DEG 47KT 3516 8350
$$
MOORE623
WWUS52 KGSP 030150
SVSGSP
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
850 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012
NCC113-030215-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-120303T0215Z/
MACON NC-
850 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 PM EST FOR
NORTHEASTERN MACON COUNTY...
AT 849 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR FRANKLIN...MOVING
EAST AT 45 MPH.
PEOPLE THAT LIVE EAST OF FRANKLIN SHOULD TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY!
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TORNADOES WHICH OCCUR AFTER DARK ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS. PEOPLE IN
THE WARNED AREA SHOULD PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR THIS TORNADO. MOBILE
HOMES AND VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER.
OTHERWISE...GO TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME
OR PLACE OF BUSINESS.
&&
LAT...LON 3521 8350 3525 8348 3531 8334 3527 8332
3523 8327 3507 8317 3513 8346 3515 8351
TIME...MOT...LOC 0150Z 260DEG 40KT 3519 8336
$$
MOORE903
WWUS52 KGSP 030201
SVSGSP
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
901 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012
NCC113-030215-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-120303T0215Z/
MACON NC-
901 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 PM EST FOR
NORTHEASTERN MACON COUNTY...
AT 857 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 6 MILES EAST OF
FRANKLIN...MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH.
THIS SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL MOVE OUT OF MACON COUNTY BY 915 PM.
HOWEVER...ANOTHER SEVERE...POTENTIALLY TORNADIC...THUNDERSTORM WAS
APPROACHING FROM CHEROKEE AND CLAY COUNTY. ANOTHER WARNING MAY BE
ISSUED FOR MACON COUNTY WITHIN THE HOUR. STAY TUNED.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TORNADOES WHICH OCCUR AFTER DARK ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS. PEOPLE IN
THE WARNED AREA SHOULD PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR THIS TORNADO. MOBILE
HOMES AND VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER.
OTHERWISE...GO TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME
OR PLACE OF BUSINESS.
&&
LAT...LON 3521 8350 3525 8348 3531 8334 3527 8332
3523 8327 3507 8317 3513 8346 3515 8351
TIME...MOT...LOC 0200Z 264DEG 47KT 3520 8323
$$
MOORE672
WWUS52 KGSP 030211
SVSGSP
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
911 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012
NCC113-030221-
/O.EXP.KGSP.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-120303T0215Z/
MACON NC-
911 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN MACON COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM HAS MOVED EAST OF MACON COUNTY.
HOWEVER...ANOTHER SEVERE THUNDERSTORM IS APPROACHING MACON COUNTY
FROM CHEROKEE COUNTY. ANOTHER WARNING MAY BE ISSUED WITHIN THE HOUR.
A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM EST FRIDAY EVENING
FOR NORTHEAST GEORGIA AND WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND CENTRAL SOUTH
CAROLINA.
LAT...LON 3521 8350 3525 8348 3531 8334 3527 8332
3523 8327 3507 8317 3513 8346 3515 8351
TIME...MOT...LOC 0211Z 264DEG 47KT 3521 8305
$$
MOOREThe office that day
Everything else NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2, 7:00 PM EST | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Madison, Swain | 60 min |
| Mar 2, 7:35 PM EST | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Jackson, Macon | 85 min |
| Mar 2, 7:51 PM EST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Haywood, Madison, Yancey | 54 min |
| Mar 2, 8:44 PM EST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Avery, Burke, Madison, Mitchell, Yancey | 50 min |
| Mar 2, 8:54 PM EST | Tornado Warning | GSP | Jackson, Macon, Transylvania | 39 min |
| Mar 2, 9:24 PM EST | Tornado Warning | GSP | Transylvania | 24 min |
| Mar 2, 9:28 PM EST | Tornado Warning | GSP | Macon, Swain | 27 min |
| Mar 2, 10:38 PM EST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Madison | 37 min |
| Mar 2, 11:03 PM EST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Madison, Mitchell, Yancey | 42 min |
| Mar 2, 11:20 PM EST | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Henderson, Transylvania | 25 min |
| Mar 2, 11:22 PM EST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Avery, Mitchell | 38 min |
| Mar 3, 12:32 AM EST | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Macon, Transylvania | 118 min |
| Mar 3, 3:25 AM EST | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Union | 50 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in North Carolina, 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.