Alert archive / Tennessee / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 24, NWS Memphis, TN

March 2, 2012Fayette County, Hardeman County, Tennessee; Benton County, Marshall County, Mississippi

NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at Mar 2, 2012, 2:43 PM CST for Fayette County, Hardeman County, Tennessee; Benton County, Marshall County, Mississippi. It was in force for 32 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, 2:43 PM CST (20:43 UTC)
Expired
Mar 2, 2012, 3:15 PM CST
In force
32 min
Issued by
NWS Memphis, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Benton County, MS, Marshall County, MS, Fayette County, TN, Hardeman County, TN

The radar

The Memphis radar (KNQA), 67 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:44 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, 2:53 PM CSTHAIL 1Grand Junction, TN
Mar 2, 2:55 PM CSTHAIL 1.75Grand Junction, TN
Mar 2, 3:00 PM CSTTSTM WND GST 75Bolivar, TNESTIMATED 75 MPH WINDS PRODUCED TREE AND POWER LINE DAMAGE. SOME MINOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. IN ADDITION...PEA HAIL COVERED THE GROUND.
Mar 2, 3:12 PM CSTHAIL 1.75Middleton, TN

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, 1:20 PM CSTTornado WatchSPC9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 12:00Z, 8.7 hours before the alert went out and 72 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, Little Rock, AR at 12:00Z on 2012-03-02Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1625 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, Little Rock, AR at 12:00Z on 2012-03-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 291 square meters per square second.1939587897117136Sfc1 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
1625 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-13 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
645 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
63 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
291 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
304 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
3.2
Supercell composite
11.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

038 
WFUS54 KMEG 022043
TORMEG
MSC009-093-TNC047-069-022115-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0024.120302T2043Z-120302T2115Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
243 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHWESTERN BENTON COUNTY IN NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI...
  NORTH CENTRAL MARSHALL COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI...
  SOUTHEASTERN FAYETTE COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE...
  HARDEMAN COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE...

* UNTIL 315 PM CST

* AT 243 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING A TORNADO 9 MILES WEST OF MICHIGAN
  CITY...OR 14 MILES NORTH OF HOLLY SPRINGS...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 60
  MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO BOLIVAR.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

.WHEN A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED BASED ON DOPPLER RADAR...IT MEANS
THAT STRONG ROTATION HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE STORM. A TORNADO MAY
ALREADY BE ON THE GROUND...OR IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP SHORTLY. IF YOU
ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS DANGEROUS STORM...MOVE INDOORS AND TO THE
LOWEST LEVEL OF THE BUILDING. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF DRIVING...DO
NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER A HIGHWAY OVERPASS.

.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.

&&

LAT...LON 3492 8941 3507 8953 3534 8895 3506 8878
TIME...MOT...LOC 2043Z 244DEG 53KT 3500 8934

$$
2 follow-up statements
481 
WWUS54 KMEG 022053
SVSMEG

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
253 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

MSC093-022102-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0024.000000T0000Z-120302T2115Z/
MARSHALL MS-
253 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL MARSHALL COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

AT 252 PM 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.

LAT...LON 3500 8904 3495 8929 3513 8940 3534 8895
      3507 8879 3506 8879
TIME...MOT...LOC 2052Z 244DEG 53KT 3505 8919

$$

MSC009-TNC047-069-022115-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0024.000000T0000Z-120302T2115Z/
BENTON MS-FAYETTE TN-HARDEMAN TN-
253 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 PM CST FOR
HARDEMAN...SOUTHEASTERN FAYETTE AND NORTHWESTERN BENTON COUNTIES...

AT 252 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR LA GRANGE...OR 21
MILES SOUTHWEST OF BOLIVAR...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 60 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO BOLIVAR...
GRAND JUNCTION...HICKORY VALLEY...LA GRANGE...MIDDLETON...
SAULSBURY...PATTERSONVILLE...FORTY FIVE...SHANDY...MIDDLEBURG...
LISBON...ROGERS SPRINGS...HEBRON AND VAN BUREN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3500 8904 3495 8929 3513 8940 3534 8895
      3507 8879 3506 8879
TIME...MOT...LOC 2052Z 244DEG 53KT 3505 8919

$$
578 
WWUS54 KMEG 022104
SVSMEG

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
304 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

MSC009-022114-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0024.000000T0000Z-120302T2115Z/
BENTON MS-
304 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN BENTON COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

AT 304 PM 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.

LAT...LON 3499 8907 3500 8914 3521 8923 3534 8895
      3507 8879 3506 8879
TIME...MOT...LOC 2104Z 244DEG 53KT 3513 8899

$$

TNC047-069-022115-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0024.000000T0000Z-120302T2115Z/
FAYETTE TN-HARDEMAN TN-
304 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 PM CST FOR HARDEMAN
AND EAST CENTRAL FAYETTE COUNTIES...

AT 304 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR VAN BUREN...OR 10
MILES SOUTH OF BOLIVAR...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 60 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO BOLIVAR...
HICKORY VALLEY...MIDDLETON...SAULSBURY...SHANDY...MIDDLEBURG...
LISBON...ROGERS SPRINGS...HEBRON AND VAN BUREN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3499 8907 3500 8914 3521 8923 3534 8895
      3507 8879 3506 8879
TIME...MOT...LOC 2104Z 244DEG 53KT 3513 8899

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Memphis, TN issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 2, 2:50 AM CSTWind AdvisoryMEGCarroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette and 14 more15 hr
Mar 2, 4:13 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCrockett, Gibson32 min
Mar 2, 1:28 PM CSTRed Flag WarningMEGDyer, Lake, Lauderdale, Obion, Shelby, Tipton5 hr
Mar 2, 2:31 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGFayette, Hardeman, McNairy44 min
Mar 2, 2:33 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGCarroll, Gibson, Henderson, Madison27 min
Mar 2, 3:02 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGChester, Henderson, Madison28 min
Mar 2, 3:05 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGHardeman, McNairy23 min
Mar 2, 3:13 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGHardeman, McNairy32 min
Mar 2, 3:39 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGHardin, McNairy36 min
Mar 2, 3:51 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGFayette, Hardeman, McNairy39 min
Mar 2, 3:51 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGHardin24 min
Mar 2, 4:08 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGChester, Hardeman, McNairy37 min
Mar 2, 4:28 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGChester, Decatur, Hardin, Henderson, McNairy32 min
Mar 2, 4:45 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGHardeman, McNairy30 min
Mar 2, 5:45 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGHardin30 min
Mar 2, 1:33 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGItawamba, Lee, Prentiss, Tishomingo42 min
Mar 2, 2:01 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGChickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe44 min
Mar 2, 2:04 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCalhoun, Chickasaw, Lee, Pontotoc, Yalobusha41 min
Mar 2, 2:43 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCalhoun, Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe47 min
Mar 2, 3:09 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCoahoma, Panola, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Yalobusha51 min
Mar 2, 3:19 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGItawamba, Monroe26 min
Mar 2, 3:39 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGTallahatchie, Yalobusha51 min
Mar 2, 3:42 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGItawamba, Monroe18 min
Mar 2, 3:44 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGBenton, Lafayette, Marshall, Panola, Pontotoc, Union46 min
Mar 2, 4:01 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGLafayette, Panola, Pontotoc, Tallahatchie, Union, Yalobusha44 min
Mar 2, 4:11 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGBenton, Lafayette, Marshall, Tippah34 min
Mar 2, 4:28 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCalhoun, Chickasaw, Lee, Pontotoc47 min
Mar 2, 4:40 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGLafayette, Lee, Pontotoc, Tippah, Union50 min
Mar 2, 4:49 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGBenton, Marshall, Tippah26 min
Mar 2, 4:52 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCalhoun, Chickasaw, Pontotoc, Yalobusha23 min
Mar 2, 4:57 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGCalhoun, Yalobusha18 min
Mar 2, 5:13 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCalhoun, Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe, Pontotoc47 min
Mar 2, 5:16 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGAlcorn, Lee, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo, Union44 min
Mar 2, 5:33 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGChickasaw, Monroe27 min
Mar 2, 5:51 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGItawamba, Monroe24 min
Mar 2, 5:55 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGChickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe50 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Tennessee, 2012Tornado Warnings in Mississippi, 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.