Alert archive / Tennessee / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 68, NWS Memphis, TN

October 17, 20124 counties in Tennessee

NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at Oct 17, 2012, 8:25 PM CDT for 4 counties in Tennessee. It was in force for 35 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, 8:25 PM CDT (01:25 UTC)
Expired
Oct 17, 2012, 9:00 PM CDT
In force
35 min
Issued by
NWS Memphis, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Fayette County, TN, Haywood County, TN, Shelby County, TN, Tipton County, TN

The radar

The Memphis radar (KNQA), 38 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:27 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, 8:30 PM CDTHAIL 1Munford, TNQUARTER-SIZED HAIL NEAR TIPTON/SHELBY COUNTY LINE. NEAR INTERSECTION OF DEAD FALL AND MCQUISTON ROADS.

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, 1.4 hours before the alert went out and 78 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.

988 
WFUS54 KMEG 180125
TORMEG
TNC047-075-157-167-180200-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0068.121018T0125Z-121018T0200Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHERN FAYETTE COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE...
  SOUTHERN HAYWOOD COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE...
  NORTHEASTERN SHELBY COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE...
  SOUTHEASTERN TIPTON COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE...

* UNTIL 900 PM CDT

* AT 825 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR MUNFORD...OR 6 MILES
  NORTHEAST OF MILLINGTON...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.

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

 THIS WARNING ALSO INCLUDES AREAS NEAR THE CHUTE.

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.

.TORNADOES ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE AND CONFIRM AT NIGHT. TAKE COVER NOW.

&&

LAT...LON 3530 8919 3529 8987 3552 8988 3562 8917
TIME...MOT...LOC 0125Z 267DEG 36KT 3538 8978

$$
2 follow-up statements
663 
WWUS54 KMEG 180144
SVSMEG

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

TNC157-180154-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0068.000000T0000Z-121018T0200Z/
SHELBY TN-
844 PM CDT WED OCT 17 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN SHELBY COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

AT 844 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 3531 8963 3553 8964 3562 8917 3530 8919
TIME...MOT...LOC 0144Z 267DEG 36KT 3539 8955

$$

TNC047-075-167-180200-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0068.000000T0000Z-121018T0200Z/
FAYETTE TN-HAYWOOD TN-TIPTON TN-
844 PM CDT WED OCT 17 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN TIPTON...SOUTHERN HAYWOOD AND NORTHERN FAYETTE
COUNTIES...

AT 844 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BRADEN...OR 13
MILES SOUTH OF COVINGTON...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO BRADEN...
BROWNSVILLE...GALLAWAY...MASON...STANTON...COTTON LAKE...
TABERNACLE...GAINESVILLE...CANAAN GROVE...BELMONT...LAMBERT...
MOORMAN...YUM YUM AND TAYLOR CHAPEL.

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.

.TORNADOES ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE AND CONFIRM AT NIGHT. TAKE COVER NOW.

&&

LAT...LON 3531 8963 3553 8964 3562 8917 3530 8919
TIME...MOT...LOC 0144Z 267DEG 36KT 3539 8955

$$
471 
WWUS54 KMEG 180153
SVSMEG

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

TNC167-180203-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0068.000000T0000Z-121018T0200Z/
TIPTON TN-
853 PM CDT WED OCT 17 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN TIPTON COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

AT 853 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 3530 8919 3534 8947 3555 8948 3562 8917
TIME...MOT...LOC 0153Z 267DEG 36KT 3539 8944

$$

TNC047-075-180200-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0068.000000T0000Z-121018T0200Z/
FAYETTE TN-HAYWOOD TN-
853 PM CDT WED OCT 17 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FOR SOUTHERN
HAYWOOD AND NORTHEASTERN FAYETTE COUNTIES...

AT 853 PM CDT...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR MEUX CORNER...OR 16 MILES SOUTHEAST OF COVINGTON...MOVING EAST
AT 40 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
BROWNSVILLE...STANTON...YUM YUM...TAYLOR CHAPEL...MILLER...FAYETTE
CORNERS...MEUX CORNER...ASBURY...MORTON HILL...HICKORY POINT...
SUNNYHILL AND SHEPP.

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.

.TORNADOES ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE AND CONFIRM AT NIGHT. TAKE COVER NOW.

&&

LAT...LON 3530 8919 3534 8947 3555 8948 3562 8917
TIME...MOT...LOC 0153Z 267DEG 36KT 3539 8944

$$

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, 7:38 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGShelby, Tipton52 min
Oct 17, 8:05 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGShelby, Tipton25 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

Nearby

Tornado 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.