Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 14, NWS Mobile, AL

March 2, 2012Monroe County, Wilcox County, Alabama

NWS Mobile, AL issued this tornado warning at Mar 2, 2012, 4:26 PM CST for Monroe County, Wilcox County, Alabama. It was in force for 49 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, 4:26 PM CST (22:26 UTC)
Expired
Mar 2, 2012, 5:15 PM CST
In force
49 min
Issued by
NWS Mobile, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Monroe County, AL, Wilcox County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 148 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:25 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, 10.4 hours before the alert went out and 148 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.

382 
WFUS54 KMOB 022226
TORMOB
ALC099-131-022315-
/O.NEW.KMOB.TO.W.0014.120302T2226Z-120302T2315Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOBILE HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTH CENTRAL MONROE COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  WILCOX COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 515 PM CST

* AT 421 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 9 MILES
  SOUTHEAST OF THOMASVILLE...OR 6 MILES NORTHEAST OF                 
  FULTON...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH. A FUNNEL CLOUD WAS SIGHTED
  EARLIER WITH THIS STORM.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  BOYKIN...             YELLOW BLUFF...       PINE HILL...
  PINE APPLE...         OAK HILL...           COY...
  CAMDEN...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING ONE 
TO TWO INCH DIAMETER HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS 
BETWEEN 60 AND 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 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 3205 8717 3205 8685 3201 8685 3179 8717
      3178 8752 3181 8752 3181 8750 3183 8750
      3183 8762 3195 8763 3213 8725
TIME...MOT...LOC 2224Z 267DEG 44KT 3184 8757

$$
3 follow-up statements
144 
WWUS54 KMOB 022244
SVSMOB

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

ALC099-131-022315-
/O.CON.KMOB.TO.W.0014.000000T0000Z-120302T2315Z/
MONROE AL-WILCOX AL-
444 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CST FOR WILCOX
AND NORTH CENTRAL MONROE COUNTIES...

AT 443 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR NELLIE...OR 10
MILES SOUTHWEST OF CAMDEN...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
BELLVIEW...DRY FORKS...COY...ROCKWEST...PEBBLE HILL...CHESTNUT...
BOYKIN...FATAMA...NADAWAH...ESTELLE...SHAWNEE...NEENAH...
WATSONVILLE...ROSEBUD...HAMBURG...ALLENTON STATION...ROCK SPRINGS...
SNOW HILL...PINE APPLE...OAK HILL...MCBRYDES...FURMAN...DARLINGTON...
CALEDONIA...ALLENTON AND ACKERVILLE

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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST SATURDAY MORNING
FOR SOUTHWESTERN ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST
MISSISSIPPI.

&&

LAT...LON 3185 8744 3189 8748 3199 8745 3213 8725
      3205 8717 3205 8685 3201 8685 3179 8717
TIME...MOT...LOC 2244Z 257DEG 25KT 3190 8740

$$
356 
WWUS54 KMOB 022248
SVSMOB

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

ALC099-131-022315-
/O.CON.KMOB.TO.W.0014.000000T0000Z-120302T2315Z/
MONROE AL-WILCOX AL-
448 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CST FOR WILCOX
AND NORTH CENTRAL MONROE COUNTIES...

AT 443 PM CST...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR NELLIE...OR 10 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CAMDEN...MOVING EAST AT 30 
MPH. PING PONG BALL SIZE HAIL WAS FALLING WITH THIS STORM.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO COY...
ROCKWEST...PEBBLE HILL...CHESTNUT...BOYKIN...FATAMA...NADAWAH...
ESTELLE...SHAWNEE...NEENAH...WATSONVILLE...ROSEBUD...HAMBURG...
ALLENTON STATION...ROCK SPRINGS...SNOW HILL...PINE APPLE...OAK
HILL...MCBRYDES...FURMAN...DARLINGTON...CALEDONIA...ALLENTON AND
ACKERVILLE

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING UP 
TO TWO INCH DIAMETER SIZED HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS 
AS HIGH AS 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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST SATURDAY MORNING
FOR SOUTHWESTERN ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST
MISSISSIPPI.

&&

LAT...LON 3185 8744 3189 8748 3199 8745 3213 8725
      3205 8717 3205 8685 3201 8685 3179 8717
TIME...MOT...LOC 2247Z 257DEG 25KT 3190 8738

$$
830 
WWUS54 KMOB 022304
SVSMOB

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

ALC099-022314-
/O.CAN.KMOB.TO.W.0014.000000T0000Z-120302T2315Z/
MONROE AL-
504 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL MONROE COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST SATURDAY MORNING
FOR SOUTHWESTERN ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST
MISSISSIPPI.

LAT...LON 3190 8702 3187 8712 3191 8728 3196 8733
      3203 8731 3207 8724 3205 8717 3205 8685
      3201 8685
TIME...MOT...LOC 2304Z 255DEG 32KT 3196 8717

$$

ALC131-022315-
/O.CON.KMOB.TO.W.0014.000000T0000Z-120302T2315Z/
WILCOX AL-
504 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CST FOR CENTRAL
WILCOX COUNTY...

AT 500 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR ESTELLE...OR 6
MILES SOUTHEAST OF CAMDEN...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
ROSEBUD...DARLINGTON...CALEDONIA...OAK HILL...ALLENTON...HAMBURG...
ALLENTON STATION...ROCK SPRINGS...SNOW HILL...PINE APPLE...
MCBRYDES...FURMAN AND ACKERVILLE

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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST SATURDAY MORNING
FOR SOUTHWESTERN ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST
MISSISSIPPI.

&&

LAT...LON 3190 8702 3187 8712 3191 8728 3196 8733
      3203 8731 3207 8724 3205 8717 3205 8685
      3201 8685
TIME...MOT...LOC 2304Z 255DEG 32KT 3196 8717

$$

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, 3:55 PM CSTTornado WarningMOBClarke, Wilcox50 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.