Alert archive / Arkansas / Tornado Warnings in 2012
Tornado Warning 21, NWS Memphis, TN
NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at Feb 29, 2012, 4:56 AM CST for Clay County, Randolph County, Arkansas. It was in force for 49 min. 2 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
- Feb 29, 2012, 4:56 AM CST (10:56 UTC)
- Expired
- Feb 29, 2012, 5:45 AM CST
- In force
- 49 min
- Issued by
- NWS Memphis, TN
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
Counties Clay County, AR, Randolph County, AR
The radar
The Memphis radar (KNQA), 123 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 10:58 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 29, 5:00 AM CST | HAIL 1.75 | 2 W Corning, AR | SPOTTER MENTIONED HAIL COULD HAVE BEEN BIGGER. |
| Feb 29, 5:15 AM CST | TSTM WND DMG | 5 Se Hickoria, AR | SIDING AND METAL ROOF DAMAGE TO A HOUSE. TREES UPROOTED ALONG HWYS 141 AND 90. BARN DAMAGED IN AREA |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 29, 3:20 AM CST | Tornado Watch | SPC | 9 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 00:00Z, 10.9 hours before the alert went out and 175 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
- 61 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -316 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 578 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 70 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 335 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 421 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 3.2
The text
As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.
595 WFUS54 KMEG 291056 TORMEG ARC021-121-291145- /O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0021.120229T1056Z-120229T1145Z/ BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN 456 AM CST WED FEB 29 2012 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A * TORNADO WARNING FOR... CLAY COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS... EAST CENTRAL RANDOLPH COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS... * UNTIL 545 AM CST * AT 455 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR BIGGERS...OR 11 MILES NORTHEAST OF POCAHONTAS...MOVING EAST AT 65 MPH. * LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO CORNING... PIGGOTT AND CHALK BLUFF NATURAL AREA. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... .IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM WILL PRODUCE GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH. .THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A STORM SHELTER. IF NO STORM SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS. .TORNADOES ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE AND CONFIRM AT NIGHT. TAKE COVER NOW. && LAT...LON 3631 9009 3626 9082 3642 9088 3650 9017 TIME...MOT...LOC 1055Z 256DEG 57KT 3637 9074 $$
4 follow-up statements
046 WWUS54 KMEG 291109 SVSMEG SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN 509 AM CST WED FEB 29 2012 ARC121-291118- /O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-120229T1145Z/ RANDOLPH AR- 509 AM CST WED FEB 29 2012 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL RANDOLPH COUNTY IS CANCELLED... AT 508 AM CST...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THAT THE THUNDERSTORMS WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAVE MOVED OUT OF THE AREA AND NO LONGER POSE AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO LIFE OR PROPERTY. THEREFORE...THE TORNADO WARNING IS CANCELLED. .A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ALERT AREA. LAT...LON 3631 9009 3627 9068 3643 9073 3650 9017 TIME...MOT...LOC 1108Z 256DEG 57KT 3635 9057 $$ ARC021-291145- /O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-120229T1145Z/ CLAY AR- 509 AM CST WED FEB 29 2012 ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 AM CST FOR CLAY COUNTY... AT 508 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR KNOBEL...OR NEAR CORNING...MOVING EAST AT 65 MPH. LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO CORNING... HICKORIA...PIGGOTT...HEELSTRING...TIPPERARY...CARRYVILLE...RHYNE... TWIN OAKS...CROCKETT AND CHALK BLUFF NATURAL AREA. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GOLFBALL TO BASEBALL SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH. THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A STORM SHELTER. IF NO STORM SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS. .TORNADOES ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE AND CONFIRM AT NIGHT. TAKE COVER NOW. .A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ALERT AREA. && LAT...LON 3631 9009 3627 9068 3643 9073 3650 9017 TIME...MOT...LOC 1108Z 256DEG 57KT 3635 9057 $$
792
WWUS54 KMEG 291118
SVSMEG
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
518 AM CST WED FEB 29 2012
ARC021-291145-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-120229T1145Z/
CLAY AR-
518 AM CST WED FEB 29 2012
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 AM CST FOR
NORTHEASTERN CLAY COUNTY...
AT 518 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR TIPPERARY...OR 6
MILES SOUTHEAST OF CORNING...MOVING EAST AT 65 MPH.
LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO HICKORIA...
PIGGOTT...TIPPERARY...CARRYVILLE...RHYNE...CROCKETT AND CHALK BLUFF
NATURAL AREA.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS IN EXCESS OF
70 MPH.
THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A STORM SHELTER. IF NO
STORM SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE
BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE
BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM
WINDOWS.
IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.
.TORNADOES ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE AND CONFIRM AT NIGHT. TAKE COVER NOW.
.A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ALERT AREA.
&&
LAT...LON 3631 9009 3631 9010 3631 9055 3643 9055
3650 9017
TIME...MOT...LOC 1118Z 256DEG 57KT 3638 9038
$$844 WWUS54 KMEG 291126 SVSMEG SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN 526 AM CST WED FEB 29 2012 ARC021-291145- /O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-120229T1145Z/ CLAY AR- 526 AM CST WED FEB 29 2012 ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 AM CST FOR NORTHEASTERN CLAY COUNTY... AT 525 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR CROCKETT...OR 6 MILES WEST OF PIGGOTT...MOVING EAST AT 65 MPH. LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO PIGGOTT... RHYNE AND CROCKETT. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A STORM SHELTER. IF NO STORM SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS. .TORNADOES ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE AND CONFIRM AT NIGHT. TAKE COVER NOW. .A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ALERT AREA. && LAT...LON 3650 9017 3634 9011 3633 9034 3643 9037 TIME...MOT...LOC 1125Z 256DEG 57KT 3640 9026 $$
971 WWUS54 KMEG 291137 SVSMEG SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN 537 AM CST WED FEB 29 2012 ARC021-291147- /O.EXP.KMEG.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-120229T1145Z/ CLAY AR- 537 AM CST WED FEB 29 2012 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN CLAY COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 545 AM CST... AT 537 AM CST...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THAT THE THUNDERSTORMS WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAVE MOVED OUT OF THE AREA. THEREFORE...THE TORNADO WARNING HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO EXPIRE. LAT...LON 3650 9017 3634 9011 3633 9034 3643 9037 TIME...MOT...LOC 1137Z 256DEG 57KT 3644 9003 $$
The office that day
Everything else NWS Memphis, TN issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 29, 12:34 AM CST | Wind Advisory | MEG | Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Greene, Lawrence and 6 more | 10 hr |
| Feb 29, 3:51 AM CST | Tornado Warning | MEG | Randolph | 39 min |
| Feb 29, 4:22 AM CST | Tornado Warning | MEG | Lawrence, Randolph | 38 min |
| Feb 29, 4:25 AM CST | Tornado Warning | MEG | Clay, Randolph | 50 min |
| Feb 29, 5:30 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Clay | 30 min |
| Feb 29, 5:48 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Lawrence, Randolph | 42 min |
| Feb 29, 6:25 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Clay, Greene, Lawrence, Randolph | 50 min |
| Feb 29, 6:43 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Lawrence | 47 min |
| Feb 29, 6:51 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Clay, Greene | 39 min |
| Feb 29, 7:25 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Lawrence | 33 min |
| Feb 29, 7:43 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Craighead, Greene | 23 min |
| Feb 29, 2:32 PM CST | Red Flag Warning | MEG | Clay, Craighead, Cross, Greene, Lawrence, Mississippi and 2 more | 3 hr |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Arkansas, 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.