Alert archive / Mississippi / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 26, NWS Memphis, TN

March 2, 2012Itawamba County, Monroe County, Mississippi

NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at Mar 2, 2012, 3:19 PM CST for Itawamba County, Monroe County, Mississippi. It was in force for 26 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, 3:19 PM CST (21:19 UTC)
Expired
Mar 2, 2012, 3:45 PM CST
In force
26 min
Issued by
NWS Memphis, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Itawamba County, MS, Monroe County, MS

The radar

The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 8 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:21 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, 3:25 PM CSTHAIL 1.25Hatley, MSREPORT FROM LOCAL TV MEDIA WEBSITE. SIZE ESTIMATED FROM PICTURE. HAIL COULD HAVE BEEN LARGE WHEN IT FELL.
Mar 2, 3:29 PM CSTHAIL 0.75Amory, MSHAIL 1/2 INCH TO 3/4 INCH.
Mar 2, 3:32 PM CSTFUNNEL CLOUDS Amory, MSSEVERAL REPORTS OF FUNNEL CLOUD JUST SOUTH OF AMORY.
Mar 2, 3:35 PM CSTHAIL 1.25Amory, MS

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

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 9.3 hours before the alert went out and 170 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, Birmingham, AL at 12:00Z on 2012-03-02Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 544 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, Birmingham, AL at 12:00Z on 2012-03-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 180 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
544 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-15 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
530 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
59 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
180 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
204 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.6
Supercell composite
2.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

209 
WFUS54 KMEG 022119
TORMEG
MSC057-095-022145-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0026.120302T2119Z-120302T2145Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHEASTERN ITAWAMBA COUNTY IN NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI...
  NORTHERN MONROE COUNTY IN NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI...

* UNTIL 345 PM CST

* AT 319 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR NEW WREN...OR 7 MILES
  NORTHWEST OF ABERDEEN...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.

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

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 3393 8821 3389 8823 3387 8867 3400 8871
      3412 8820 3405 8820
TIME...MOT...LOC 2119Z 259DEG 36KT 3392 8858

$$
2 follow-up statements
588 
WWUS54 KMEG 022128 RRA
SVSMEG

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

MSC057-095-022145-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0026.000000T0000Z-120302T2145Z/
MONROE MS-ITAWAMBA MS-
328 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CST FOR
SOUTHEASTERN ITAWAMBA AND NORTHEASTERN MONROE COUNTIES...

AT 328 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BECKER...OR NEAR
AMORY...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO AMORY...
HATLEY...BIGBEE...PARHAM...SPLUNGE...SIPSEY FORK...QUINCY...WISE
GAP...GREENWOOD SPRINGS AND BECKER.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HEN 
EGG SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

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.

.A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ALERT AREA.

&&

LAT...LON 3393 8821 3389 8823 3388 8857 3403 8860
      3412 8820 3405 8820
TIME...MOT...LOC 2128Z 259DEG 36KT 3393 8847

$$
506 
WWUS54 KMEG 022135
SVSMEG

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

MSC057-095-022145-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0026.000000T0000Z-120302T2145Z/
MONROE MS-ITAWAMBA MS-
335 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CST FOR
SOUTHEASTERN ITAWAMBA AND NORTHEASTERN MONROE COUNTIES...

AT 334 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BECKER...OR NEAR 
AMORY...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH. THE PUBLIC REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD IN 
JUST SOUTH OF AMORY AT 330 PM CST.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO AMORY...
HATLEY...BIGBEE...PARHAM...SPLUNGE...SIPSEY FORK...QUINCY...WISE GAP
AND BECKER.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HEN 
EGG SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

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.

.A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ALERT AREA.

&&

LAT...LON 3393 8821 3389 8823 3388 8853 3404 8855
      3412 8820 3405 8820
TIME...MOT...LOC 2134Z 259DEG 36KT 3394 8840

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 2, 2:50 AM CSTWind AdvisoryMEGAlcorn, Benton, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Coahoma, DeSoto and 16 more15 hr
Mar 2, 1:28 PM CSTRed Flag WarningMEGCoahoma, DeSoto, Tunica5 hr
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, 2:31 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGBenton, Marshall44 min
Mar 2, 2:43 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCalhoun, Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe47 min
Mar 2, 2:43 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGBenton, Marshall32 min
Mar 2, 3:09 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCoahoma, Panola, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Yalobusha51 min
Mar 2, 3:13 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGAlcorn32 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, 3:51 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGAlcorn, Benton, Marshall, Tippah39 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, 4:45 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGAlcorn, Benton, Tippah30 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, 5:45 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGAlcorn, Tishomingo30 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 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.