Alert archive / Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 1, NWS Morristown, TN

February 24, 20124 counties in Tennessee; 6 counties in Virginia

NWS Morristown, TN issued this tornado warning at Feb 24, 2012, 4:33 AM EST for 4 counties in Tennessee; 6 counties in Virginia. It was in force for 6 days. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Feb 24, 2012, 4:33 AM EST (09:33 UTC)
Expired
Feb 29, 2012, 5:45 PM EST
In force
6 days
Issued by
NWS Morristown, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Hawkins County, TN, Morgan County, TN, Scott County, TN, Sullivan County, TN, City of Norton, VA, Lee County, VA, Russell County, VA, Scott County, VA, Washington County, VA, Wise County, VA

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 00:00Z, 9.6 hours before the alert went out and 262 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, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 00:00Z on 2012-02-24Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 14 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, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 00:00Z on 2012-02-24The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 277 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
14 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-22 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1543 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
78 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
277 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
443 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

774 
WFUS54 KMRX 240933
TORMRX
VAC195-720-241000-
/O.NEW.KMRX.TO.W.0001.120224T0933Z-120224T1000Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MORRISTOWN TN
433 AM EST FRI FEB 24 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MORRISTOWN HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  WISE COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...
  CITY OF NORTON IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...

* UNTIL 500 AM EST

* AT 426 AM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED   
  A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR BENHAM.  
  DOPPLER RADAR SHOWED THIS TORNADO MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
  NORTON...WISE...PARDEE...POUND...COEBURN AND ST. PAUL.

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 3713 8254 3703 8247 3696 8235 3697 8233
      3690 8230 3688 8240 3688 8263 3681 8270
      3683 8275 3680 8277 3688 8287 3698 8288
      3704 8275 3712 8273 3714 8271 3720 8255
TIME...MOT...LOC 0932Z 263DEG 71KT 3698 8282

$$
17
8 follow-up statements
741 
WWUS54 KMRX 240948
SVSMRX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MORRISTOWN TN
448 AM EST FRI FEB 24 2012

VAC195-720-241000-
/O.CON.KMRX.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-120224T1000Z/
WISE VA-CITY OF NORTON VA-
448 AM EST FRI FEB 24 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 AM EST FOR CITY OF
NORTON AND WISE COUNTIES...

AT 445 AM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR PARDEE...OR NEAR
NORTON...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
  WISE...POUND...COEBURN AND ST. PAUL.

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 3713 8254 3703 8247 3696 8235 3697 8233
      3690 8230 3688 8240 3688 8263 3681 8270
      3683 8275 3680 8277 3688 8287 3698 8288
      3704 8275 3712 8273 3714 8271 3720 8255
TIME...MOT...LOC 0948Z 263DEG 71KT 3697 8263

$$

17
654 
WFUS54 KMRX 241320
TORMRX
TNC073-163-VAC169-241345-
/O.NEW.KMRX.TO.W.0001.120224T1320Z-120224T1345Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MORRISTOWN TN
820 AM EST FRI FEB 24 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MORRISTOWN HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  HAWKINS COUNTY IN EAST TENNESSEE...
  SULLIVAN COUNTY IN EAST TENNESSEE...
  SCOTT COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...

* UNTIL 845 AM EST

* AT 816 AM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 5 MILES NORTH OF
  SURGOINSVILLE...OR 14 MILES NORTHEAST OF ROGERSVILLE. DOPPLER RADAR
  SHOWED THIS ROTATION MOVING EAST-NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
  GATE CITY...WEBER CITY...OKOLONA...CHURCH HILL...MOUNT CARMEL...
  BLOOMINGDALE...HILTONS AND NICKELSVILLE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE...SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARBY REINFORCED
BUILDING. AS A LAST RESORT...SEEK SHELTER IN A CULVERT...DITCH OR LOW
SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

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 3682 8238 3672 8234 3658 8230 3648 8290
      3655 8294 3659 8284
TIME...MOT...LOC 1319Z 249DEG 43KT 3656 8279

$$

GM
764 
WWUS54 KMRX 241336
SVSMRX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MORRISTOWN TN
836 AM EST FRI FEB 24 2012

TNC073-163-VAC169-241345-
/O.CON.KMRX.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-120224T1345Z/
SULLIVAN TN-HAWKINS TN-SCOTT VA-
836 AM EST FRI FEB 24 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 AM EST FOR SCOTT...
EXTREME EASTERN HAWKINS AND SULLIVAN COUNTIES...

AT 830 AM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A POSSIBLE TORNADO.  THIS STRONG ROTATION WAS LOCATED NEAR 
GATE CITY...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
  BLOOMINGDALE...HILTONS AND NICKELSVILLE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DO NOT USE YOUR CAR TO TRY TO OUTRUN A TORNADO. CARS ARE EASILY
TOSSED AROUND BY TORNADO WINDS. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT IN THE PATH OF A
TORNADO...LEAVE THE CAR AND GO TO A STRONG BUILDING. IF NO SAFE
STRUCTURE IS NEARBY...SEEK SHELTER IN A DITCH OR LOW SPOT AND COVER
YOUR HEAD.


&&

LAT...LON 3655 8261 3663 8270 3680 8238 3672 8234
      3658 8230
TIME...MOT...LOC 1335Z 249DEG 43KT 3663 8257

$$

GM
611 
WFUS54 KMRX 241343
TORMRX
VAC167-169-191-241415-
/O.NEW.KMRX.TO.W.0001.120224T1343Z-120224T1415Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MORRISTOWN TN
843 AM EST FRI FEB 24 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MORRISTOWN HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  RUSSELL COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...
  SCOTT COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...
  WASHINGTON COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...

* UNTIL 915 AM EST

* AT 839 AM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR WEBER
  CITY...OR 6 MILES EAST OF GATE CITY. DOPPLER RADAR SHOWED THIS
  TORNADO MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
  NICKELSVILLE...COLLINGWOOD...BENHAMS...HANSONVILLE...HILANDER
  PARK...HOLSTON...LINDELL...EMORY-MEADOW VIEW AND GLADE SPRING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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 3672 8253 3697 8187 3680 8172 3662 8232
      3660 8253 3668 8256
TIME...MOT...LOC 1343Z 250DEG 44KT 3664 8243

$$
GM
207 
WWUS54 KMRX 241409
SVSMRX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MORRISTOWN TN
909 AM EST FRI FEB 24 2012

VAC167-169-241419-
/O.CAN.KMRX.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-120224T1415Z/
RUSSELL VA-SCOTT VA-
909 AM EST FRI FEB 24 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SCOTT AND RUSSELL COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

LAT...LON 3670 8207 3678 8213 3691 8183 3680 8172
TIME...MOT...LOC 1409Z 250DEG 44KT 3675 8206

$$

VAC191-241415-
/O.CON.KMRX.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-120224T1415Z/
WASHINGTON VA-
909 AM EST FRI FEB 24 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 AM EST FOR
WASHINGTON COUNTY...

AT 907 AM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR HILANDER PARK...OR
7 MILES WEST OF ABINGDON...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
  LINDELL...EMORY-MEADOW VIEW AND GLADE SPRING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
STURDY 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 3670 8207 3678 8213 3691 8183 3680 8172
TIME...MOT...LOC 1409Z 250DEG 44KT 3675 8206

$$

GM
249 
WWUS54 KMRX 241416
SVSMRX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MORRISTOWN TN
916 AM EST FRI FEB 24 2012

VAC191-241426-
/O.EXP.KMRX.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-120224T1415Z/
WASHINGTON VA-
916 AM EST FRI FEB 24 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY HAS EXPIRED...

THE STORMS THAT PROMPTED THE WARNING HAVE WEAKENED BELOW SEVERE
LEVELS. THEREFORE...THE WARNING HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.

LAT...LON 3670 8207 3678 8213 3691 8183 3680 8172
TIME...MOT...LOC 1409Z 250DEG 44KT 3675 8206

$$
991 
WFUS54 KMRX 292146
TORMRX
TNC129-151-292230-
/O.NEW.KMRX.TO.W.0001.120229T2146Z-120229T2230Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MORRISTOWN TN
446 PM EST WED FEB 29 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MORRISTOWN HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  MORGAN COUNTY IN EAST TENNESSEE...
  SCOTT COUNTY IN EAST TENNESSEE...

* UNTIL 530 PM EST

* AT 440 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 13 MILES SOUTH
  OF JAMESTOWN. DOPPLER RADAR SHOWED THIS TORNADO MOVING EAST AT 60
  MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
  WARTBURG...ONEIDA...HUNTSVILLE...HIGH POINT...DEERLODGE...RUGBY...
  SUNBRIGHT...BIG SOUTH FORK NATIONAL REFUGE...ELGIN...SLICK ROCK...
  PETROS...WINFIELD...NORMA...SMOKEY JUNCTION AND KETCHEN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 1 
INCH SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

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 900 PM EST WEDNESDAY EVENING
FOR CENTRAL TENNESSEE AND SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3660 8426 3651 8426 3651 8433 3646 8435
      3638 8431 3639 8432 3628 8433 3626 8438
      3621 8438 3615 8445 3605 8434 3602 8439
      3604 8477 3616 8492 3621 8492 3628 8489
      3630 8481 3640 8467 3661 8478
TIME...MOT...LOC 2144Z 264DEG 60KT 3626 8492

$$

MJB
791 
WFUS54 KMRX 292208
TORMRX
VAC105-169-195-720-292245-
/O.NEW.KMRX.TO.W.0001.120229T2208Z-120229T2245Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MORRISTOWN TN
508 PM EST WED FEB 29 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MORRISTOWN HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  LEE COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...
  SCOTT COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...
  WISE COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...
  CITY OF NORTON IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...

* UNTIL 545 PM EST

* AT 505 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR HARLAN.
  DOPPLER RADAR SHOWED THIS TORNADO MOVING EAST AT 60 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
  JONESVILLE...NORTON...GATE CITY...WISE...PENNINGTON GAP...BIG STONE
  GAP...WEBER CITY...ST. CHARLES...PATTONSVILLE...DRYDEN...JASPER...
  DUFFIELD...APPALACHIA...CLINCHPORT...FORT BLACKMORE...DUNGANNON...
  COEBURN AND HILTONS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

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 900 PM EST WEDNESDAY EVENING 
FOR PARTS OF EAST TENNESSEE AND SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3700 8245 3661 8244 3668 8339 3669 8339
      3675 8320 3675 8315 3678 8314 3681 8311
      3683 8311 3686 8307 3685 8301 3688 8291
      3690 8288 3694 8286
TIME...MOT...LOC 2207Z 267DEG 53KT 3677 8328

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 24, 4:47 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXHancock, Hawkins43 min
Feb 24, 5:29 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXJohnson, Sullivan19 min
Feb 24, 5:37 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXHancock, Hawkins, Sullivan38 min
Feb 24, 4:56 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXRussell, Scott, Washington, Wise, City of Norton49 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Virginia, 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.