Alert archive / Tennessee / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 25, NWS Memphis, TN

March 2, 2012Hardeman County, McNairy County, Tennessee; Alcorn County, Mississippi

NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at Mar 2, 2012, 3:13 PM CST for Hardeman County, McNairy County, Tennessee; Alcorn County, Mississippi. It was in force for 32 min. 5 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, 3:13 PM CST (21:13 UTC)
Expired
Mar 2, 2012, 3:45 PM CST
In force
32 min
Issued by
NWS Memphis, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Alcorn County, MS, Hardeman County, TN, McNairy County, TN

The radar

The Memphis radar (KNQA), 109 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:12 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, 3:28 PM CSTFUNNEL CLOUDRamer, TNSPOTTER LOOKING NORTH FROM CORINTH REPORTS FUNNEL CLOUD. ESTIMATED LOCATION NEAR RAMER.
Mar 2, 3:30 PM CSTHAIL 1.253 S Selmer, TNSOME NICKEL TO QUARTER SIZED HAIL BUT MAINLY HALF DOLLAR SIZED HAIL.
Mar 2, 3:44 PM CSTHAIL 3Stantonville, TN
Mar 2, 3:45 PM CSTTSTM WND GST 60Stantonville, TNACCOMPANIED BY GOLFBALL HAIL ...NOTED IN PREVIOUS REPORT
Mar 2, 3:45 PM CSTHAIL 1.75Stantonville, TNGOLFBALL HAIL WITH 60 MPH WINDS PRODUCING SEVERE TREE DAMAGE AND BROKEN WINDOWS

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, 9.2 hours before the alert went out and 114 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.

866 
WFUS54 KMEG 022113
TORMEG
MSC003-TNC069-109-022145-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0025.120302T2113Z-120302T2145Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  EXTREME NORTHWESTERN ALCORN COUNTY IN NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI...
  SOUTHEASTERN HARDEMAN COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE...
  SOUTHERN MCNAIRY COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE...

* UNTIL 345 PM CST

* AT 313 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR POCAHONTAS...OR 9
  MILES WEST OF BIG HILL POND STATE PARK...MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO SELMER AND
  BIG HILL POND STATE PARK.

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 3498 8883 3499 8883 3499 8890 3512 8893
      3525 8840 3498 8839
TIME...MOT...LOC 2113Z 259DEG 47KT 3504 8887

$$
1 follow-up statement
940 
WWUS54 KMEG 022124 RRA
SVSMEG

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

MSC003-TNC069-022134-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-120302T2145Z/
ALCORN MS-HARDEMAN TN-
324 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN HARDEMAN AND EXTREME
NORTHWESTERN ALCORN COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

AT 324 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 8839 3500 8878 3515 8879 3525 8840
TIME...MOT...LOC 2124Z 259DEG 47KT 3507 8870

$$

TNC109-022145-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-120302T2145Z/
MCNAIRY TN-
324 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CST FOR SOUTHERN
MCNAIRY COUNTY...

AT 324 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BIG HILL POND
STATE PARK...MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO ACTON...
EASTVIEW...GUYS...MICHIE...RAMER...SELMER...STANTONVILLE...HICKORY
FLATS...MARTIN CAMP...OLD LAWTON...NEW LAWTON...GILCHRIST...PEBBLE
HILL AND CAFFEY.

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 8839 3500 8878 3515 8879 3525 8840
TIME...MOT...LOC 2124Z 259DEG 47KT 3507 8870

$$

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, 2:43 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGFayette, Hardeman32 min
Mar 2, 3:02 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGChester, Henderson, Madison28 min
Mar 2, 3:05 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGHardeman, McNairy23 min
Mar 2, 3:39 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.