Alert archive / Mississippi / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 31, NWS Memphis, TN

March 2, 2012Itawamba County, Monroe County, Mississippi

NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at Mar 2, 2012, 5:51 PM CST for Itawamba County, Monroe County, Mississippi. It was in force for 24 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Mar 2, 2012, 5:51 PM CST (23:51 UTC)
Expired
Mar 2, 2012, 6:15 PM CST
In force
24 min
Issued by
NWS Memphis, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Itawamba County, MS, Monroe County, MS

The radar

The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 9 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:53 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 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, 11.9 hours before the alert went out and 168 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.

312 
WFUS54 KMEG 022351
TORMEG
MSC057-095-030015-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0031.120302T2351Z-120303T0015Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
551 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 615 PM CST

* AT 551 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING
  A TORNADO NEAR NEW WREN...OR 6 MILES SOUTHWEST OF AMORY...MOVING
  EAST AT 65 MPH.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

.IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM WILL PRODUCE DESTRUCTIVE 
STRAIGHT LINE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 80 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.

&&

LAT...LON 3399 8821 3393 8821 3391 8822 3383 8860
      3401 8866 3413 8820 3405 8820
TIME...MOT...LOC 2351Z 254DEG 55KT 3395 8851

$$
2 follow-up statements
771 
WWUS54 KMEG 030002
SVSMEG

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

MSC057-095-030015-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0031.000000T0000Z-120303T0015Z/
MONROE MS-ITAWAMBA MS-
602 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM CST FOR
SOUTHEASTERN ITAWAMBA AND NORTHEASTERN MONROE COUNTIES...

AT 602 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR HATLEY...OR NEAR
AMORY...MOVING EAST AT 60 MPH.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 
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.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3399 8821 3393 8821 3391 8822 3387 8845
      3404 8848 3413 8820 3405 8820
TIME...MOT...LOC 0002Z 258DEG 54KT 3399 8832

$$
773 
WWUS54 KMEG 030013
SVSMEG

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

MSC057-095-030023-
/O.EXP.KMEG.TO.W.0031.000000T0000Z-120303T0015Z/
MONROE MS-ITAWAMBA MS-
613 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN ITAWAMBA AND NORTHEASTERN
MONROE COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 615 PM CST...

AT 613 PM 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 3399 8821 3393 8821 3391 8822 3387 8845
      3404 8848 3413 8820 3405 8820
TIME...MOT...LOC 0013Z 258DEG 54KT 3402 8812

$$

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, 3:19 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, 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, 5:55 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.