Alert archive / Tennessee / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 27, NWS Morristown, TN

March 2, 2012Blount County, Monroe County, Tennessee; Cherokee County, North Carolina

NWS Morristown, TN issued this tornado warning at Mar 2, 2012, 1:49 PM EST for Blount County, Monroe County, Tennessee; Cherokee County, North Carolina. It was in force for 41 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
Mar 2, 2012, 1:49 PM EST (18:49 UTC)
Expired
Mar 2, 2012, 2:30 PM EST
In force
41 min
Issued by
NWS Morristown, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Cherokee County, NC, Blount County, TN, Monroe County, TN

The radar

The Knoxville radar (KMRX), 101 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:51 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, 1:54 PM ESTTORNADOTellico Plains, TNNUMEROUS TREES DOWN...MAJOR DAMAGE TO MOBILE HOMES...NUMEROUS HOUSES DAMAGED.

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
Mar 2, 10:25 AM ESTTornado WatchSPC5 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 12:00Z, 6.8 hours before the alert went out and 233 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, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 12:00Z on 2012-03-02Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 55 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, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 12:00Z on 2012-03-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 206 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
55 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-255 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
788 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
53 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
206 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
268 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.

618 
WFUS54 KMRX 021849
TORMRX
NCC039-TNC009-123-021930-
/O.NEW.KMRX.TO.W.0027.120302T1849Z-120302T1930Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MORRISTOWN TN
149 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MORRISTOWN HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  WESTERN CHEROKEE COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA...
  BLOUNT COUNTY IN EAST TENNESSEE...
  MONROE COUNTY IN EAST TENNESSEE...

* UNTIL 230 PM EST

* AT 147 PM EST...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A TORNADO 11
  MILES SOUTHEAST OF MADISONVILLE. DOPPLER RADAR SHOWED THIS TORNADO
  MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
  TARIFFVILLE...CITICO...CITICO BEACH AND TALASSEE.

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.

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 400 PM EST FRIDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA AND CENTRAL TENNESSEE AND SOUTHWEST
VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3547 8440 3560 8398 3552 8385 3552 8387
      3547 8392 3545 8397 3541 8401 3537 8400
      3535 8403 3531 8403 3523 8432
TIME...MOT...LOC 1848Z 248DEG 48KT 3539 8424

$$
3 follow-up statements
241 
WWUS54 KMRX 021857
SVSMRX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MORRISTOWN TN
157 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

NCC039-TNC009-123-021930-
/O.CON.KMRX.TO.W.0027.000000T0000Z-120302T1930Z/
CHEROKEE NC-MONROE TN-BLOUNT TN-
157 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 230 PM EST FOR BLOUNT...
MONROE AND WESTERN CHEROKEE COUNTIES...

AT 156 PM EST...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A TORNADO.  THIS
TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR CITICO...OR 16 MILES SOUTHEAST OF
MADISONVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH.

* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF BLOUNT...
  MONROE AND WESTERN CHEROKEE COUNTIES.

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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM EST FRIDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA AND CENTRAL TENNESSEE AND SOUTHWEST
VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3547 8440 3560 8398 3552 8385 3552 8387
      3547 8392 3545 8397 3541 8401 3537 8400
      3535 8403 3531 8403 3523 8432
TIME...MOT...LOC 1857Z 248DEG 48KT 3542 8410

$$
216 
WWUS54 KMRX 021909
SVSMRX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MORRISTOWN TN
209 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

NCC039-TNC009-123-021930-
/O.CON.KMRX.TO.W.0027.000000T0000Z-120302T1930Z/
CHEROKEE NC-MONROE TN-BLOUNT TN-
209 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 230 PM EST FOR BLOUNT...
MONROE AND WESTERN CHEROKEE COUNTIES...

AT 205 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 6 MILES NORTHEAST OF
CITICO...OR 15 MILES NORTHWEST OF ROBBINSVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 55
MPH.

* THIS TORNADO WILL AFFECT MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF BLOUNT...  MONROE 
AND WESTERN CHEROKEE COUNTIES. HOWEVER...ANOTHER DOPPLER INDICATED 
TORNADO TO THE SOUTHWEST OF THE INITIAL STORM WILL MOVE VERY NEAR 
CITICO DURING THE NEXT 15 MINUTES.

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.

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 400 PM EST FRIDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA AND CENTRAL TENNESSEE AND SOUTHWEST
VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3547 8440 3560 8398 3552 8385 3552 8387
      3547 8392 3545 8397 3541 8401 3537 8400
      3535 8403 3531 8403 3523 8432
TIME...MOT...LOC 1907Z 248DEG 48KT 3545 8400

$$
111 
WWUS54 KMRX 021928
SVSMRX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MORRISTOWN TN
228 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

NCC039-TNC009-123-021937-
/O.EXP.KMRX.TO.W.0027.000000T0000Z-120302T1930Z/
CHEROKEE NC-MONROE TN-BLOUNT TN-
228 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR BLOUNT...MONROE AND WESTERN CHEROKEE
COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 230 PM EST...

THE STORMS THAT PROMPTED THE WARNING HAVE MOVED OUT OF THE WARNED
AREA. THEREFORE...THE WARNING HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.

OTHER STRONG...ALTHOUGH NON-SEVERE...STORMS CONTINUE TO DEVELOP 
FARTHER WEST ACROSS WESTERN AND NORTHERN SECTIONS OF MONROE COUNTY. 
THESE STORMS ARE MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MILES AN HOUR. 

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM EST FRIDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA AND CENTRAL TENNESSEE AND SOUTHWEST
VIRGINIA.

LAT...LON 3547 8440 3560 8398 3552 8385 3552 8387
      3547 8392 3545 8397 3541 8401 3537 8400
      3535 8403 3531 8403 3523 8432
TIME...MOT...LOC 1927Z 248DEG 48KT 3555 8370

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 2, 3:00 AM ESTWind AdvisoryMRXBlount, Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson, Sevier and 1 more21 hr
Mar 2, 10:58 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXHawkins, Sullivan32 min
Mar 2, 10:59 AM ESTFlood WatchMRXAnderson, Bledsoe, Blount, Bradley, Campbell, Carter and 27 more14 hr
Mar 2, 11:25 AM ESTTornado WarningMRXBledsoe, Sequatchie35 min
Mar 2, 11:31 AM ESTTornado WarningMRXMarion44 min
Mar 2, 11:39 AM ESTTornado WarningMRXMorgan22 min
Mar 2, 11:49 AM ESTTornado WarningMRXHamilton, Marion41 min
Mar 2, 11:55 AM ESTTornado WarningMRXCampbell, Morgan, Scott35 min
Mar 2, 11:57 AM ESTTornado WarningMRXBledsoe, Rhea33 min
Mar 2, 12:16 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXHamilton, Marion, Sequatchie44 min
Mar 2, 12:25 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXClaiborne, Hancock35 min
Mar 2, 12:29 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXCampbell, Claiborne31 min
Mar 2, 12:30 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXLoudon, Meigs, Rhea, Roane30 min
Mar 2, 12:44 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXHamilton, Meigs, Rhea31 min
Mar 2, 12:50 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXBradley, Hamilton, McMinn, Polk25 min
Mar 2, 1:04 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBlount, Knox41 min
Mar 2, 1:19 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXKnox, Sevier26 min
Mar 2, 1:23 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXBradley, McMinn, Monroe, Polk37 min
Mar 2, 1:39 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXCocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Sevier36 min
Mar 2, 2:13 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBlount, Monroe47 min
Mar 2, 3:34 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXBledsoe, Marion, Sequatchie41 min
Mar 2, 3:59 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXLoudon, McMinn, Monroe, Roane46 min
Mar 2, 4:14 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBledsoe, Meigs, Rhea46 min
Mar 2, 4:24 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXMarion, Sequatchie51 min
Mar 2, 4:55 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXLoudon, Roane50 min
Mar 2, 5:24 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXScott36 min
Mar 2, 5:29 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXMarion46 min
Mar 2, 5:29 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXAnderson, Knox31 min
Mar 2, 5:33 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXBledsoe, Hamilton, Meigs, Rhea27 min
Mar 2, 5:38 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXScott37 min
Mar 2, 5:57 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXMcMinn, Meigs, Rhea18 min
Mar 2, 5:57 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXCampbell, Claiborne, Scott33 min
Mar 2, 6:03 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXHamilton, Marion42 min
Mar 2, 6:15 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXLoudon, McMinn, Monroe45 min
Mar 2, 6:28 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXBradley, Hamilton47 min
Mar 2, 6:30 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXBlount, Loudon, McMinn, Monroe45 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Tennessee, 2012Tornado Warnings in North Carolina, 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.