Alert archive / Arkansas / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 61, NWS Memphis, TN

October 17, 2012Shelby County, Tipton County, Tennessee; Crittenden County, Mississippi County, Poinsett County, Arkansas

NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at Oct 17, 2012, 7:38 PM CDT for Shelby County, Tipton County, Tennessee; Crittenden County, Mississippi County, Poinsett County, Arkansas. It was in force for 52 min. 1 report 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
Oct 17, 2012, 7:38 PM CDT (00:38 UTC)
Expired
Oct 17, 2012, 8:30 PM CDT
In force
52 min
Issued by
NWS Memphis, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Crittenden County, AR, Mississippi County, AR, Poinsett County, AR, Shelby County, TN, Tipton County, TN

The radar

The Memphis radar (KNQA), 24 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:41 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
Oct 17, 7:55 PM CDTTORNADOW Jericho, ARTORNADO CROSSED INTERSTATE 55 NEAR JERICHO EXIT.

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
Oct 17, 5:21 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 00:00Z, 0.6 hours before the alert went out and 75 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 00:00Z on 2012-10-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 947 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 00:00Z on 2012-10-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 228 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
947 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-48 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1045 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
63 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
228 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
236 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.0
Supercell composite
4.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

031 
WFUS54 KMEG 180038
TORMEG
ARC035-093-111-TNC157-167-180130-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0061.121018T0038Z-121018T0130Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
738 PM CDT WED OCT 17 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHERN CRITTENDEN COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
  SOUTHWESTERN MISSISSIPPI COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
  EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN POINSETT COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
  NORTHWESTERN SHELBY COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE...
  SOUTHWESTERN TIPTON COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE...

* UNTIL 830 PM CDT

* AT 738 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING A TORNADO 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF
  CRAWFORDSVILLE...OR NEAR EARLE...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO WILSON AND
  MEEMAN SHELBY FOREST 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 3565 8994 3560 8994 3559 8996 3556 8994
      3533 8993 3520 9043 3541 9045
TIME...MOT...LOC 0038Z 258DEG 30KT 3532 9037

$$
3 follow-up statements
397 
WWUS54 KMEG 180051
SVSMEG

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
751 PM CDT WED OCT 17 2012

ARC111-180101-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0061.000000T0000Z-121018T0130Z/
POINSETT AR-
751 PM CDT WED OCT 17 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN POINSETT COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

AT 751 PM CDT...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 3541 9032 3565 8994 3560 8994 3559 8996
      3556 8994 3533 8993 3520 9043
TIME...MOT...LOC 0051Z 258DEG 30KT 3534 9024

$$

ARC035-093-TNC157-167-180130-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0061.000000T0000Z-121018T0130Z/
CRITTENDEN AR-MISSISSIPPI AR-SHELBY TN-TIPTON TN-
751 PM CDT WED OCT 17 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN TIPTON...NORTHWESTERN SHELBY...SOUTHWESTERN MISSISSIPPI
AND NORTHERN CRITTENDEN COUNTIES...

AT 751 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR CLARKEDALE...OR 9
MILES NORTH OF MARION...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO TURRELL...
WILSON...FRENCHMANS BAYOU...ST THOMAS...PECAN POINT...SHAWNEE...
DELPRO...GOLDEN LAKE...STACY...MENESHA...HEAFER...LAMBETHVILLE...
LANSING AND BOOKER.

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 3541 9032 3565 8994 3560 8994 3559 8996
      3556 8994 3533 8993 3520 9043
TIME...MOT...LOC 0051Z 258DEG 30KT 3534 9024

$$
856 
WWUS54 KMEG 180102
SVSMEG

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
802 PM CDT WED OCT 17 2012

ARC035-093-TNC157-167-180130-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0061.000000T0000Z-121018T0130Z/
CRITTENDEN AR-MISSISSIPPI AR-SHELBY TN-TIPTON TN-
802 PM CDT WED OCT 17 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN TIPTON...NORTHWESTERN SHELBY...SOUTHWESTERN MISSISSIPPI
AND NORTHERN CRITTENDEN COUNTIES...

AT 801 PM CDT...EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTED A TORNADO.  THIS
TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR LAMBETHVILLE...OR 6 MILES WEST OF MEEMAN 
SHELBY FOREST STATE PARK...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH. SHERIFF REPORTED A 
TORNADO CROSSING INTERSTATE 55 NEAR THE JERICHO EXIT AT 750 PM.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO TURRELL...
WILSON...FRENCHMANS BAYOU...ST THOMAS...PECAN POINT...SHAWNEE...
DELPRO...GOLDEN LAKE...STACY...MENESHA...HEAFER...LAMBETHVILLE...
LANSING AND BOOKER.

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 3541 9032 3565 8994 3560 8994 3559 8996
      3556 8994 3533 8993 3520 9043
TIME...MOT...LOC 0101Z 258DEG 30KT 3536 9014

$$
852 
WWUS54 KMEG 180116
SVSMEG

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
816 PM CDT WED OCT 17 2012

ARC035-180126-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0061.000000T0000Z-121018T0130Z/
CRITTENDEN AR-
816 PM CDT WED OCT 17 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHERN CRITTENDEN COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

AT 816 PM CDT...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 3536 9010 3538 9008 3539 9009 3549 9006
      3554 8994 3553 8993 3533 8993 3530 9012
TIME...MOT...LOC 0116Z 258DEG 30KT 3538 8999

$$

ARC093-TNC157-167-180130-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0061.000000T0000Z-121018T0130Z/
MISSISSIPPI AR-SHELBY TN-TIPTON TN-
816 PM CDT WED OCT 17 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN TIPTON...NORTH CENTRAL SHELBY AND SOUTH CENTRAL
MISSISSIPPI COUNTIES...

AT 816 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR CUBA...OR NEAR 
MEEMAN SHELBY FOREST STATE PARK.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO PECAN
POINT...QUITO...GILESTOWN...LOCKE...CUBA...SLOANVILLE...GRIFFIN
CORNER AND MEEMAN SHELBY FOREST 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 3536 9010 3538 9008 3539 9009 3549 9006
      3554 8994 3553 8993 3533 8993 3530 9012
TIME...MOT...LOC 0116Z 258DEG 30KT 3538 8999

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Oct 17, 7:35 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGLauderdale, Shelby, Tipton40 min
Oct 17, 8:05 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGShelby, Tipton25 min
Oct 17, 8:25 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGFayette, Haywood, Shelby, Tipton35 min
Oct 17, 8:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGFayette, Shelby38 min
Oct 17, 8:54 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGFayette, Hardeman, Haywood, Madison19 min
Oct 17, 9:39 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCarroll, Crockett, Gibson, Henry, Weakley51 min
Oct 17, 9:51 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGChester, Hardeman, McNairy39 min
Oct 17, 10:12 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCarroll, Henderson, Henry48 min
Oct 17, 10:17 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGFayette, Hardeman, Shelby28 min
Oct 17, 10:21 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGChester, Decatur, Henderson, Madison39 min
Oct 17, 10:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGDecatur, Hardin, McNairy64 min
Oct 17, 10:46 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGFayette, Hardeman44 min
Oct 17, 7:05 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCrittenden, Cross, Poinsett, St. Francis40 min
Oct 17, 7:11 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGLee34 min
Oct 17, 7:14 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGMississippi31 min
Oct 17, 7:18 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGLee, St. Francis42 min
Oct 17, 7:20 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGLee, Phillips, St. Francis40 min
Oct 17, 7:30 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGLee, Phillips30 min
Oct 17, 7:43 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGLee, Phillips32 min
Oct 17, 8:08 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGLee, Phillips22 min
Oct 17, 8:23 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGLee, Phillips37 min
Oct 17, 9:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCross, St. Francis42 min
Oct 17, 9:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCrittenden, Cross, Lee, St. Francis23 min
Oct 17, 9:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGLee, Phillips52 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Arkansas, 2012Tornado Warnings in Tennessee, 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.