Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 13, NWS Mobile, AL

March 2, 2012Clarke County, Wilcox County, Alabama

NWS Mobile, AL issued this tornado warning at Mar 2, 2012, 3:55 PM CST for Clarke County, Wilcox County, Alabama. It was in force for 50 min. 2 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, 3:55 PM CST (21:55 UTC)
Expired
Mar 2, 2012, 4:45 PM CST
In force
50 min
Issued by
NWS Mobile, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Clarke County, AL, Wilcox County, AL

The radar

The Mobile radar (KMOB), 152 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Mar 2, 4:33 PM CSTHAIL 0.88Yellow Bluff, AL
Mar 2, 4:40 PM CSTHAIL 1.5Yellow Bluff, AL

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 9.9 hours before the alert went out and 160 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.

134 
WFUS54 KMOB 022155
TORMOB
ALC025-131-022245-
/O.NEW.KMOB.TO.W.0013.120302T2155Z-120302T2245Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
355 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOBILE HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHWESTERN WILCOX COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  NORTHERN CLARKE COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 445 PM CST

* AT 353 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 11 MILES NORTH
  OF JACKSON...OR 7 MILES EAST OF COFFEEVILLE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT
  40 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  YELLOW BLUFF...       PINE HILL...          THOMASVILLE...
  FULTON...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT 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 MANUFACTURED 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 3188 8739 3180 8756 3174 8778 3172 8797
      3181 8800 3200 8781 3199 8772 3201 8763
      3213 8763 3214 8762 3214 8758 3214 8757
TIME...MOT...LOC 2155Z 237DEG 34KT 3179 8792

$$
3 follow-up statements
649 
WWUS54 KMOB 022204
SVSMOB

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
404 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

ALC025-131-022245-
/O.CON.KMOB.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-120302T2245Z/
WILCOX AL-CLARKE AL-
404 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 PM CST FOR
NORTHEASTERN CLARKE AND SOUTHWESTERN WILCOX COUNTIES...

AT 358 PM CST...THE PUBLIC REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD NEAR CHILTON.  A 
POSSIBLE TORNADO WAS DEVELOPING NEAR CHILTON...OR 12 MILES SOUTHWEST 
OF THOMASVILLE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
PEACOCK...GREENWOOD...DICKINSON...SPRINGFIELD...GLOVER...MIDWAY...
FULTON...RURAL...CHOCTAW CORNER...MCWER...ROUNDHILL...NETTLEBORO...
PLEASANT HILL...FINLEY CROSSING...ATKEISON...HESTLE...SUNNY SOUTH...
LOWER PEACH TREE...CULPEPER...PINE HILL...SHEPPARD...ARLINGTON...
MACMILLAN...KIMBROUGH...ANNE MANIE...ASAHEL...YELLOW BLUFF...COAL
BLUFF AND LAMISON

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING ONE 
INCH DIAMETER SIZED HAIL OR LARGER AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE 
WINDS UP TO 80 MPH.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT 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 3188 8739 3180 8756 3174 8778 3176 8789
      3182 8795 3195 8783 3199 8772 3201 8763
      3213 8763 3214 8762 3214 8757
TIME...MOT...LOC 2202Z 237DEG 34KT 3183 8785

$$
281 
WWUS54 KMOB 022212
SVSMOB

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
412 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

ALC025-131-022245-
/O.CON.KMOB.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-120302T2245Z/
WILCOX AL-CLARKE AL-
412 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 PM CST FOR
NORTHEASTERN CLARKE AND SOUTHWESTERN WILCOX COUNTIES...

AT 407 PM CST...WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD IN THE PAST 
TEN MINUTES. A POSSIBLE TORNADO WAS DEVELOPING AND LOCATED  NEAR 
SPRINGFIELD...OR 7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF THOMASVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 
45 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
RURAL...CHOCTAW CORNER...FULTON...ROUNDHILL...MCWER...FINLEY
CROSSING...ATKEISON...NETTLEBORO...PLEASANT HILL...SUNNY SOUTH...
HESTLE...CULPEPER...LOWER PEACH TREE...PINE HILL...ARLINGTON...
KIMBROUGH...ANNE MANIE...MACMILLAN...LAMISON...SHEPPARD...YELLOW
BLUFF AND ASAHEL

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 
QUARTER-SIZED HAIL OR LARGER AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS TO 
80 MPH.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT 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 3188 8739 3180 8756 3177 8775 3180 8782
      3186 8784 3195 8783 3199 8772 3201 8763
      3213 8763 3214 8762 3214 8757
TIME...MOT...LOC 2210Z 255DEG 39KT 3183 8774

$$
205 
WWUS54 KMOB 022229
SVSMOB

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
429 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

ALC025-022238-
/O.CAN.KMOB.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-120302T2245Z/
CLARKE AL-
429 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

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

LAT...LON 3188 8739 3184 8761 3187 8761 3188 8765
      3194 8762 3197 8758 3202 8749
TIME...MOT...LOC 2228Z 262DEG 39KT 3186 8753

$$

ALC131-022245-
/O.CON.KMOB.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-120302T2245Z/
WILCOX AL-
429 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 PM CST FOR
SOUTHWESTERN WILCOX COUNTY...

AT 425 PM CST...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM 
CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR CULPEPER...OR 10 MILES EAST OF 
THOMASVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
MACMILLAN...SHEPPARD AND YELLOW BLUFF

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT 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 3188 8739 3184 8761 3187 8761 3188 8765
      3194 8762 3197 8758 3202 8749
TIME...MOT...LOC 2228Z 262DEG 39KT 3186 8753

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Mobile, AL issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 2, 3:40 PM CSTSmall Craft AdvisoryMOB26 hr
Mar 2, 4:26 PM CSTTornado WarningMOBMonroe, Wilcox49 min
Mar 2, 4:27 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBChoctaw, Clarke48 min
Mar 2, 4:43 PM CSTTornado WarningMOBCovington17 min
Mar 2, 4:57 PM CSTTornado WarningMOBClarke33 min
Mar 2, 5:03 PM CSTTornado WarningMOBBaldwin, Conecuh, Escambia, Monroe42 min
Mar 2, 5:16 PM CSTTornado WarningMOBCovington29 min
Mar 2, 5:17 PM CSTTornado WarningMOBClarke, Wilcox58 min
Mar 2, 5:35 PM CSTTornado WarningMOBChoctaw, Clarke19 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Alabama, 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.