Alert archive / Arkansas / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 49, NWS Memphis, TN

September 1, 2012Craighead County, Greene County, Arkansas; Dunklin County, Missouri

NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at Sep 1, 2012, 4:55 PM CDT for Craighead County, Greene County, Arkansas; Dunklin County, Missouri. It was in force for 35 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
Sep 1, 2012, 4:55 PM CDT (21:55 UTC)
Expired
Sep 1, 2012, 5:30 PM CDT
In force
35 min
Issued by
NWS Memphis, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Craighead County, AR, Greene County, AR, Dunklin County, MO

The radar

The Memphis radar (KNQA), 97 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:58 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.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Sep 1, 3:49 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 12:00Z, 9.9 hours before the alert went out and 143 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 2012-09-01Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1827 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 2012-09-01The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -58 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
1827 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-44 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
551 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
21 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-58 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-2 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

870 
WFUS54 KMEG 012155
TORMEG
ARC031-055-MOC069-012230-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0049.120901T2155Z-120901T2230Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
455 PM CDT SAT SEP 1 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHEASTERN CRAIGHEAD COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
  SOUTHERN GREENE COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
  SOUTHWESTERN DUNKLIN COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI...

* UNTIL 530 PM CDT

* AT 455 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR FONTAINE...OR NEAR
  BONO...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
  PARAGOULD...BUCK DONIC...CROWLEYS RIDGE STATE PARK AND LAKE
  FRIERSON STATE PARK.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

.IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM WILL PRODUCE 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.

&&

LAT...LON 3601 9085 3604 9084 3617 9031 3600 9027
      3600 9029 3593 9029 3591 9085
TIME...MOT...LOC 2155Z 258DEG 25KT 3597 9079

$$
3 follow-up statements
951 
WWUS54 KMEG 012210
SVSMEG

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
510 PM CDT SAT SEP 1 2012

ARC031-055-MOC069-012230-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0049.000000T0000Z-120901T2230Z/
CRAIGHEAD AR-GREENE AR-DUNKLIN MO-
510 PM CDT SAT SEP 1 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN DUNKLIN...SOUTHERN GREENE AND EXTREME NORTHEASTERN
CRAIGHEAD COUNTIES...

AT 510 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR LORADO...OR NEAR
LAKE FRIERSON STATE PARK...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO PARAGOULD...
LORADO...BERTIG...BRIGHTON...BARD...NOXBURN...HALLIDAY...COTTON
BELT...FINCH...BETHEL...SCHUG...BUCK DONIC...CROWLEYS RIDGE STATE
PARK AND LAKE FRIERSON STATE PARK.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 
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 3597 9031 3595 9072 3600 9073 3607 9071
      3617 9031 3600 9027 3600 9029
TIME...MOT...LOC 2210Z 255DEG 25KT 3599 9066

$$
124 
WWUS54 KMEG 012219
SVSMEG

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
519 PM CDT SAT SEP 1 2012

ARC031-055-MOC069-012230-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0049.000000T0000Z-120901T2230Z/
CRAIGHEAD AR-GREENE AR-DUNKLIN MO-
519 PM CDT SAT SEP 1 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN DUNKLIN...SOUTHEASTERN GREENE AND EXTREME NORTHEASTERN
CRAIGHEAD COUNTIES...

AT 519 PM CDT...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR FINCH...OR NEAR CROWLEYS RIDGE STATE PARK...MOVING EAST AT 30
MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO PARAGOULD...
CARDWELL...BERTIG...BRIGHTON...BARD...NOXBURN...HALLIDAY...COTTON
BELT...FINCH...BETHEL AND BUCK DONIC.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 
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 3597 9031 3597 9062 3602 9064 3609 9061
      3617 9031 3600 9027 3600 9029
TIME...MOT...LOC 2219Z 255DEG 25KT 3600 9058

$$
033 
WWUS54 KMEG 012232
SVSMEG

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
532 PM CDT SAT SEP 1 2012

ARC031-055-MOC069-012243-
/O.EXP.KMEG.TO.W.0049.000000T0000Z-120901T2230Z/
CRAIGHEAD AR-GREENE AR-DUNKLIN MO-
532 PM CDT SAT SEP 1 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN DUNKLIN...SOUTHEASTERN GREENE
AND EXTREME NORTHEASTERN CRAIGHEAD COUNTIES HAS EXPIRED...

AT 533 PM CDT...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THAT THE
THUNDERSTORMS WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAVE WEAKENED...AND NO
LONGER POSE AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO LIFE OR PROPERTY. THEREFORE...THE
TORNADO WARNING WILL BE ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.

LAT...LON 3597 9031 3597 9062 3602 9064 3609 9061
      3617 9031 3600 9027 3600 9029
TIME...MOT...LOC 2219Z 255DEG 25KT 3600 9058

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 31, 7:01 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGSt. Francis44 min
Aug 31, 7:39 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGLee, St. Francis36 min
Aug 31, 7:42 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCross, St. Francis33 min
Aug 31, 8:13 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCrittenden47 min
Aug 31, 8:14 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGLee, Phillips46 min
Aug 31, 8:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCrittenden, Lee, Phillips, St. Francis47 min
Aug 31, 8:37 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCrittenden, Mississippi38 min
Aug 31, 8:47 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCrittenden, Lee, St. Francis43 min
Aug 31, 9:03 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGMississippi42 min
Sep 1, 7:22 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCross, Poinsett38 min
Sep 1, 4:19 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGClay26 min
Sep 1, 4:41 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGClay, Greene, Randolph34 min
Sep 1, 4:47 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGClay28 min
Sep 1, 5:06 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCross, Poinsett54 min
Sep 1, 5:15 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGClay, Greene25 min
Sep 1, 5:20 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCross40 min
Sep 1, 5:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCrittenden, Cross, Poinsett50 min
Sep 1, 5:48 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGSt. Francis27 min
Sep 1, 5:50 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCross, St. Francis40 min
Sep 1, 5:57 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGGreene48 min
Sep 1, 6:00 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGPoinsett30 min
Sep 1, 6:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCrittenden, Cross, Mississippi, Poinsett49 min
Sep 1, 6:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCrittenden, Cross, St. Francis47 min
Sep 1, 6:35 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGSt. Francis25 min
Sep 1, 6:46 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGMississippi44 min
Sep 1, 6:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCrittenden, Cross, St. Francis46 min
Sep 1, 6:44 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGPemiscot46 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Arkansas, 2012Tornado Warnings in Missouri, 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.