Alert archive / Tennessee / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 34, NWS Morristown, TN

March 2, 2012Bradley County, Hamilton County, Tennessee

NWS Morristown, TN issued this tornado warning at Mar 2, 2012, 6:28 PM EST for Bradley County, Hamilton County, Tennessee. It was in force for 47 min. 5 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, 6:28 PM EST (23:28 UTC)
Expired
Mar 2, 2012, 7:15 PM EST
In force
47 min
Issued by
NWS Morristown, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Bradley County, TN, Hamilton County, TN

The radar

The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 89 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:32 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, 6:30 PM ESTHAIL 1Red Bank, TN
Mar 2, 6:30 PM ESTTORNADOChattanooga, TNPUBLIC REPORTED A TORNADO OUTSIDE OF CHATTANOOGA ON INTERSTATE I-24.
Mar 2, 6:31 PM ESTHAIL 1.75Chattanooga, TN
Mar 2, 6:36 PM ESTHAIL 2.5Chattanooga, TNTENNIS BALL SIZE HAIL ON HIGHWAY 27 IN CHATTANOOGA.
Mar 2, 6:43 PM ESTHAIL 1.253 W Ooltewah, TN

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, 3:19 PM ESTTornado WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Nashville Metro, TN (KBNA), launched 12:00Z, 11.5 hours before the alert went out and 178 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, Nashville Metro, TN at 12:00Z on 2012-03-02Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1667 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, Nashville Metro, TN at 12:00Z on 2012-03-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 175 square meters per square second.1939587897117136Sfc1 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
1667 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-25 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
523 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
68 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
175 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
169 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
6.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

636 
WFUS54 KMRX 022328
TORMRX
TNC011-065-030015-
/O.NEW.KMRX.TO.W.0034.120302T2328Z-120303T0015Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MORRISTOWN HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  BRADLEY COUNTY IN EAST TENNESSEE...
  HAMILTON COUNTY IN EAST TENNESSEE...

* UNTIL 715 PM EST

* AT 627 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR LOOKOUT
  MOUNTAIN...OR NEAR CHATTANOOGA. DOPPLER RADAR SHOWED THIS TORNADO
  MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
  CHATTANOOGA...EAST BRAINERD...OOLTEWAH...COLLEGEDALE...MCDONALD...
  FLINT SPRINGS...WATERVILLE AND GAP SPRINGS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THIS TORNADO WARNING REPLACES THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING THAT
WAS IN EFFECT FOR THE SAME AREA.

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 1100 PM EST FRIDAY EVENING
FOR SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA AND EAST TENNESSEE AND SOUTHWEST
VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3504 8540 3506 8537 3510 8537 3510 8539
      3512 8540 3514 8473 3511 8473 3510 8474
      3508 8474 3498 8478 3498 8540
TIME...MOT...LOC 2329Z 270DEG 41KT 3503 8528

$$

DGS
4 follow-up statements
605 
WWUS54 KMRX 022340
SVSMRX

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

TNC011-065-030015-
/O.CON.KMRX.TO.W.0034.000000T0000Z-120303T0015Z/
BRADLEY TN-HAMILTON TN-
640 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM EST FOR HAMILTON
AND BRADLEY COUNTIES...

AT 636 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR EAST BRAINERD...OR
NEAR CHATTANOOGA...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
  EAST BRAINERD...OOLTEWAH...COLLEGEDALE...MCDONALD...FLINT
  SPRINGS...WATERVILLE AND GAP SPRINGS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 
GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL.

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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM EST FRIDAY EVENING
FOR SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA AND EAST TENNESSEE AND SOUTHWEST
VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3504 8540 3506 8537 3510 8537 3510 8539
      3512 8540 3514 8473 3511 8473 3510 8474
      3508 8474 3498 8478 3498 8540
TIME...MOT...LOC 2340Z 269DEG 41KT 3503 8512

$$

DGS
842 
WWUS54 KMRX 022350
SVSMRX

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

TNC011-065-030015-
/O.CON.KMRX.TO.W.0034.000000T0000Z-120303T0015Z/
BRADLEY TN-HAMILTON TN-
650 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM EST FOR HAMILTON
AND BRADLEY COUNTIES...

AT 646 PM EST...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD. 
THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR COLLEGEDALE...OR 12 MILES EAST OF
CHATTANOOGA...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
  FLINT SPRINGS...WATERVILLE AND GAP SPRINGS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 
BASEBALL SIZE HAIL.

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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM EST FRIDAY EVENING
FOR SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA AND EAST TENNESSEE AND SOUTHWEST
VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3504 8540 3506 8537 3510 8537 3510 8539
      3512 8540 3514 8473 3511 8473 3510 8474
      3508 8474 3498 8478 3498 8540
TIME...MOT...LOC 2350Z 267DEG 41KT 3504 8498

$$
DGS
143 
WWUS54 KMRX 022359
SVSMRX

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

TNC065-030009-
/O.CAN.KMRX.TO.W.0034.000000T0000Z-120303T0015Z/
HAMILTON TN-
659 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR HAMILTON COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM EST FRIDAY EVENING
FOR SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA AND EAST TENNESSEE AND SOUTHWEST
VIRGINIA.

LAT...LON 3502 8497 3504 8500 3508 8500 3508 8501
      3513 8503 3514 8473 3511 8473 3510 8474
      3508 8474 3498 8478 3498 8497
TIME...MOT...LOC 2359Z 266DEG 41KT 3505 8485

$$

TNC011-030015-
/O.CON.KMRX.TO.W.0034.000000T0000Z-120303T0015Z/
BRADLEY TN-
659 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM EST FOR BRADLEY
COUNTY...

AT 655 PM EST...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD. 
THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR FLINT SPRINGS...OR 10 MILES SOUTH OF
CLEVELAND...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
  GAP SPRINGS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 
GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL.

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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM EST FRIDAY EVENING
FOR SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA AND EAST TENNESSEE AND SOUTHWEST
VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3502 8497 3504 8500 3508 8500 3508 8501
      3513 8503 3514 8473 3511 8473 3510 8474
      3508 8474 3498 8478 3498 8497
TIME...MOT...LOC 2359Z 266DEG 41KT 3505 8485

$$

DGS
045 
WWUS54 KMRX 030016
SVSMRX

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

TNC011-030026-
/O.EXP.KMRX.TO.W.0034.000000T0000Z-120303T0015Z/
BRADLEY TN-
716 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

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

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

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM EST FRIDAY EVENING
FOR SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA AND EAST TENNESSEE AND SOUTHWEST
VIRGINIA.

LAT...LON 3502 8497 3504 8500 3508 8500 3508 8501
      3513 8503 3514 8473 3511 8473 3510 8474
      3508 8474 3498 8478 3498 8497
TIME...MOT...LOC 2359Z 266DEG 41KT 3505 8485

$$

DGS

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, 1:49 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXBlount, Monroe41 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, 6:30 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXBlount, Loudon, McMinn, Monroe45 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.