Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 8, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

March 2, 2012Jackson County, Macon County, Transylvania County, North Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this tornado warning at Mar 2, 2012, 8:54 PM EST for Jackson County, Macon County, Transylvania County, North Carolina. It was in force for 39 min. 4 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, 8:54 PM EST (01:54 UTC)
Expired
Mar 2, 2012, 9:33 PM EST
In force
39 min
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Jackson County, NC, Macon County, NC, Transylvania County, NC

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 88 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:57 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 2, 8:58 PM ESTHAIL 25 Ese Franklin, NCFIRE 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.
Mar 2, 9:05 PM ESTTSTM WND DMG12 Sse Sylva, NCTREES DOWN ALONG PINE CREEK ROAD. ONE TREE THAT FELL ON A BRAND NEW CAR. DEBRIS IN THE ROAD NEAR PINE CREEK ROAD AND CULLOWHEE ROAD.
Mar 2, 9:05 PM ESTHAIL 1.7512 Sse Sylva, NCGOLF BALL SIZED HAIL REPORTED IN SOUTH CENTRAL JACKSON COUNTY AS STORM PASSED.
Mar 2, 9:09 PM ESTTSTM WND DMG11 E Franklin, NCNUMEROUS TREES SNAPPED AND UPROOTED AT THE INTERSECTION OF PINE CREEK AND NORTH NORTON ROADS.

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 2, 3:19 PM ESTTornado WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 00:00Z, 1.9 hours before the alert went out and 248 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, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 00:00Z on 2012-03-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 540 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, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 00:00Z on 2012-03-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 212 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
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

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

119 
WFUS52 KGSP 030154
TORGSP
NCC099-113-175-030245-
/O.NEW.KGSP.TO.W.0008.120303T0154Z-120303T0245Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
854 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHERN JACKSON COUNTY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...
  EASTERN MACON COUNTY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...
  WESTERN TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...

* UNTIL 945 PM EST

* AT 853 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 3 MILES EAST OF
  FRANKLIN...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  THORPE RESERVOIR...
  TUCKASEGEE AND CASHIERS...
  SAPPHIRE...
  WOLF MOUNTAIN AND LAKE TOXAWAY...
  BALSAM GROVE...

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 3525 8343 3535 8298 3532 8297 3530 8293
      3529 8292 3530 8290 3530 8288 3510 8284
      3511 8342
TIME...MOT...LOC 0154Z 261DEG 38KT 3519 8332

$$

MOORE
4 follow-up statements
611 
WWUS52 KGSP 030203
SVSGSP

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
903 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

NCC099-113-175-030245-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-120303T0245Z/
MACON NC-TRANSYLVANIA NC-JACKSON NC-
903 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM EST FOR SOUTHERN
JACKSON...WESTERN TRANSYLVANIA AND EAST CENTRAL MACON COUNTIES...

AT 901 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 5 MILES WEST OF THORPE
RESERVOIR...OR 9 MILES EAST OF FRANKLIN...MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  THORPE RESERVOIR...
  TUCKASEGEE...
  WOLF MOUNTAIN AND SAPPHIRE...
  LAKE TOXAWAY...
  BALSAM GROVE...

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 3525 8337 3535 8298 3532 8297 3529 8292
      3530 8290 3530 8288 3510 8284 3512 8335
TIME...MOT...LOC 0203Z 261DEG 47KT 3520 8319

$$

MOORE
941 
WWUS52 KGSP 030210
SVSGSP

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
910 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

NCC113-030219-
/O.CAN.KGSP.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-120303T0245Z/
MACON NC-
910 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL MACON COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

ANOTHER SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED OVER CHEROKEE COUNTY NORTH 
CAROLINA. ADDITIONAL SEVERE THUNDERSTORM OR TORNADO WARNINGS ARE 
LIKELY FOR MACON COUNTY 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 3535 8298 3532 8297 3529 8293 3530 8288
      3510 8284 3513 8318 3516 8322 3522 8322
      3523 8323 3529 8323
TIME...MOT...LOC 0209Z 261DEG 47KT 3520 8310

$$

NCC099-175-030245-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-120303T0245Z/
TRANSYLVANIA NC-JACKSON NC-
910 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM EST FOR CENTRAL
JACKSON AND WESTERN TRANSYLVANIA COUNTIES...

AT 905 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR THORPE
RESERVOIR...OR 12 MILES EAST OF FRANKLIN...MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO WOLF 
MOUNTAIN AND BALSAM GROVE. IF YOU LIVE NEAR THOSE LOCATIONS...TAKE 
COVER NOW!

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 3535 8298 3532 8297 3529 8293 3530 8288
      3510 8284 3513 8318 3516 8322 3522 8322
      3523 8323 3529 8323
TIME...MOT...LOC 0209Z 261DEG 47KT 3520 8310

$$

MOORE
554 
WWUS52 KGSP 030219
SVSGSP

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
919 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

NCC099-175-030245-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-120303T0245Z/
TRANSYLVANIA NC-JACKSON NC-
919 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM EST FOR EAST
CENTRAL JACKSON AND WESTERN TRANSYLVANIA COUNTIES...

AT 917 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR WOLF MOUNTAIN...OR
14 MILES WEST OF BREVARD...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO BALSAM
GROVE

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 3514 8306 3523 8308 3530 8308 3532 8297
      3529 8293 3530 8288 3510 8284
TIME...MOT...LOC 0219Z 263DEG 45KT 3522 8295

$$

MOORE
526 
WWUS52 KGSP 030233
SVSGSP

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
933 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

NCC099-175-030242-
/O.CAN.KGSP.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-120303T0245Z/
TRANSYLVANIA NC-JACKSON NC-
933 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL JACKSON AND WESTERN
TRANSYLVANIA COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM HAS MOVED INTO THE NORTHERN PART OF 
TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY...SO THE WARNING IS CANCELLED. ANOTHER SEVERE 
THUNDERSTORM WAS MOVING INTO WESTERN MACON COUNTY AND MAY REACH 
JACKSON COUNTY AROUND 10 PM. LISTEN FOR LATER WARNINGS.

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 3514 8306 3523 8308 3530 8308 3532 8297
      3529 8293 3530 8288 3510 8284
TIME...MOT...LOC 0232Z 263DEG 45KT 3524 8275

$$

MOORE

The office that day

Everything else NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 2, 7:00 PM ESTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMadison, Swain60 min
Mar 2, 7:35 PM ESTSpecial Weather StatementGSPJackson, Macon85 min
Mar 2, 7:51 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPHaywood, Madison, Yancey54 min
Mar 2, 8:13 PM ESTTornado WarningGSPMacon62 min
Mar 2, 8:44 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPAvery, Burke, Madison, Mitchell, Yancey50 min
Mar 2, 9:24 PM ESTTornado WarningGSPTransylvania24 min
Mar 2, 9:28 PM ESTTornado WarningGSPMacon, Swain27 min
Mar 2, 10:38 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPMadison37 min
Mar 2, 11:03 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPMadison, Mitchell, Yancey42 min
Mar 2, 11:20 PM ESTSpecial Weather StatementGSPHenderson, Transylvania25 min
Mar 2, 11:22 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPAvery, Mitchell38 min
Mar 3, 12:32 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMacon, Transylvania118 min
Mar 3, 3:25 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementGSPUnion50 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.