Alert archive / Maryland / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2012

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 314, NWS Baltimore/Washington

September 1, 2012Fairfax County, City of Alexandria, Virginia; 4 counties in Maryland

NWS Baltimore/Washington issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Sep 1, 2012, 9:43 PM EDT for Fairfax County, City of Alexandria, Virginia; 4 counties in Maryland. It was in force for 46 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Sep 1, 2012, 9:43 PM EDT (01:43 UTC)
Expired
Sep 1, 2012, 10:29 PM EDT
In force
46 min
Issued by
NWS Baltimore/Washington
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Anne Arundel County, MD, Calvert County, MD, Charles County, MD, Prince George's County, MD, City of Alexandria, VA, Fairfax County, VA

The radar

The Sterling radar (KLWX), 58 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:43 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.

The nearest sounding before it

Wallops Is Stn, VA (KWAL), launched 00:00Z, 1.7 hours before the alert went out and 158 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, Wallops Is Stn, VA at 00:00Z on 2012-09-02Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 729 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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, Wallops Is Stn, VA at 00:00Z on 2012-09-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 51 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
729 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-46 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1568 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
17 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
51 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
76 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Baltimore/Washington wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Sep 1, 9:30 PM EDT, 13 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 1, 9:30 PM EDT, 13 minutes before
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Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 1, 6:03 PM EDT, 3 hours 40 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
603 PM EDT SAT SEP 1 2012

ANZ530>543-DCZ001-MDZ006-007-011-013-014-016>018-VAZ052>057-
021215-
CHESAPEAKE BAY NORTH OF POOLES ISLAND MD-
CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM POOLES ISLAND TO SANDY POINT MD-
CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM SANDY POINT TO NORTH BEACH MD-
CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM NORTH BEACH TO DRUM POINT MD-
CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM DRUM POINT MD TO SMITH POINT VA-
TIDAL POTOMAC FROM KEY BRIDGE TO INDIAN HEAD MD-
TIDAL POTOMAC FROM INDIAN HEAD TO COBB ISLAND MD-
TIDAL POTOMAC FROM COBB ISLAND MD TO SMITH POINT VA-
PATAPSCO RIVER INCLUDING BALTIMORE HARBOR-
CHESTER RIVER TO QUEENSTOWN MD-EASTERN BAY-
CHOPTANK RIVER TO CAMBRIDGE MD AND THE LITTLE CHOPTANK RIVER-
PATUXENT RIVER TO BROOMES ISLAND MD-
TANGIER SOUND AND THE INLAND WATERS SURROUNDING BLOODSWORTH
ISLAND-DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-NORTHERN BALTIMORE-HARFORD-
SOUTHERN BALTIMORE-PRINCE GEORGES-ANNE ARUNDEL-CHARLES-ST. MARYS-
CALVERT-PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK-FAIRFAX-
ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA-STAFFORD-SPOTSYLVANIA-
KING GEORGE-
603 PM EDT SAT SEP 1 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE MARYLAND PORTION OF THE
CHESAPEAKE BAY...TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER...AND ADJACENT COUNTIES IN
CENTRAL MARYLAND AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA AS WELL AS THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

A FEW THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON MAY PRODUCE DAMAGING WINDS AND
LARGE HAIL.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY RAIN AND LOCALIZED FLASH FLOODING
SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY.

A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY MAY BE NEEDED OVER PORTIONS OF THE WATERS
MONDAY.

MINOR COASTAL FLOODING IS POSSIBLE MONDAY INTO THE MIDDLE PART OF
NEXT WEEK.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT LIKELY...HOWEVER PLEASE RELAY SEVERE WEATHER
REPORTS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

MDZ003>005-009-010-501-502-VAZ025>031-036>040-042-050-051-501>504-
WVZ050>053-055-501>506-021215-
WASHINGTON-FREDERICK MD-CARROLL-MONTGOMERY-HOWARD-
EXTREME WESTERN ALLEGANY-CENTRAL AND EASTERN ALLEGANY-AUGUSTA-
ROCKINGHAM-SHENANDOAH-FREDERICK VA-PAGE-WARREN-CLARKE-NELSON-
ALBEMARLE-GREENE-MADISON-RAPPAHANNOCK-LOUDOUN-ORANGE-CULPEPER-
NORTHERN FAUQUIER-SOUTHERN FAUQUIER-WESTERN HIGHLAND-
EASTERN HIGHLAND-HAMPSHIRE-MORGAN-BERKELEY-JEFFERSON-HARDY-
WESTERN GRANT-EASTERN GRANT-WESTERN MINERAL-EASTERN MINERAL-
WESTERN PENDLETON-EASTERN PENDLETON-
603 PM EDT SAT SEP 1 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA...
NORTHERN AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA...AND CENTRAL AND WESTERN MARYLAND
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF GARRETT COUNTY.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

A FEW THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON MAY PRODUCE DAMAGING WINDS AND
LARGE HAIL. THESE STORMS ARE ALSO CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HEAVY RAIN
WHICH MAY LEAD TO LOCALIZED FLASH FLOODING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY RAIN AND LOCALIZED FLASH FLOODING
SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT LIKELY...HOWEVER PLEASE RELAY SEVERE
WEATHER REPORTS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Sep 1, 4:42 PM EDT, 5 hours 1 minute before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
442 PM EDT SAT SEP 01 2012

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0402 PM     HAIL             3 ENE SMITH CROSSROADS  39.59N  78.18W
09/01/2012  E1.00 INCH       MORGAN             WV   PUBLIC

            TREE BRANCHES DOWN

&&

EVENT NUMBER LWX1201143

JACKSON
Special weather statement, Sep 1, 5:48 PM EDT, 3 hours 55 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
548 PM EDT SAT SEP 1 2012

MDZ003-502-WVZ051-012245-
WASHINGTON MD-MORGAN WV-CENTRAL AND EASTERN ALLEGANY MD-
548 PM EDT SAT SEP 1 2012

...STRONG THUNDERSTORM TO AFFECT WASHINGTON...MORGAN AND CENTRAL AND
EASTERN ALLEGANY COUNTIES...

AT 548 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED 3 MILES SOUTH OF
FOREST PARK...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 5 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE VALLEY VIEW.

THIS STORM IS PRODUCING FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. MOVE
INDOORS IMMEDIATELY FOR YOUR SAFETY. IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU
ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

HEAVY RAIN WITH THIS STORM WILL REDUCE VISIBILITIES TO BELOW ONE MILE
AND MAY CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS.

&&

LAT...LON 3967 7814 3953 7828 3967 7841 3973 7829
TIME...MOT...LOC 2148Z 314DEG 5KT 3967 7831

KCS
Special weather statement, Sep 1, 5:53 PM EDT, 3 hours 50 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
553 PM EDT SAT SEP 1 2012

MDZ003>005-012245-
FREDERICK MD-WASHINGTON MD-CARROLL MD-
553 PM EDT SAT SEP 1 2012

...STRONG THUNDERSTORM TO AFFECT FREDERICK...WASHINGTON AND CARROLL
COUNTIES...

AT 552 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED OVER RINGGOLD...
MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 15 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE WOLFSVILLE AND THURMONT.

THIS STORM IS PRODUCING FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. MOVE
INDOORS IMMEDIATELY FOR YOUR SAFETY. IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU
ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

HEAVY RAIN WITH THIS STORM WILL REDUCE VISIBILITIES TO BELOW ONE MILE
AND MAY CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS.

WIND GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH AND SMALL HAIL CAN BE EXPECTED WITH THIS
STORM.

&&

LAT...LON 3961 7726 3943 7748 3971 7766 3973 7764
      3973 7747
TIME...MOT...LOC 2152Z 324DEG 14KT 3969 7755

KCS
Local storm report, Sep 1, 7:30 PM EDT, 2 hours 13 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Sep 1, 8:05 PM EDT, 1 hour 38 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Sep 1, 8:36 PM EDT, 1 hour 7 minutes before
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The office that day

Everything else NWS Baltimore/Washington issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 1, 8:05 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLWX40 min
Sep 1, 8:12 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX33 min
Sep 1, 9:31 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX44 min
Sep 1, 10:06 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX84 min
Sep 2, 2:39 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX64 min
Sep 2, 6:42 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX57 min
Sep 2, 7:18 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLWXArlington27 min
Sep 1, 8:36 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLWXPrince George's39 min
Sep 2, 2:33 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLWXSaint Mary's42 min
Sep 2, 2:41 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningLWXSaint Mary's3 hr
Sep 2, 7:08 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningLWXCharles, Saint Mary's2 hr
Sep 2, 7:25 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLWXCity of Baltimore35 min
Sep 2, 7:31 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLWXPendleton29 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Maryland, 2012Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Virginia, 2012Every severe thunderstorm warning 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.