Alert archive / Tennessee / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 53, NWS Morristown, TN

March 2, 20124 counties in Tennessee

NWS Morristown, TN issued this tornado warning at Mar 2, 2012, 9:05 PM EST for 4 counties in Tennessee. It was in force for 40 min. 4 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, 9:05 PM EST (02:05 UTC)
Expired
Mar 2, 2012, 9:45 PM EST
In force
40 min
Issued by
NWS Morristown, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Anderson County, TN, Knox County, TN, Morgan County, TN, Roane County, TN

The radar

The Knoxville radar (KMRX), 88 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:05 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, 9:15 PM ESTTSTM WND DMGKingston, TNSEVERAL TREES DOWN COUNTYWIDE
Mar 2, 9:24 PM ESTHAIL 1Oliver Springs, TN
Mar 2, 9:35 PM ESTHAIL 1.55 S Clinton, TNPING PONG BALL SIZED HAIL NEAR CLAXTON.
Mar 2, 9:40 PM ESTHAIL 1Clinton, 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 00:00Z, 2.1 hours before the alert went out and 202 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 00:00Z on 2012-03-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 262 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 00:00Z on 2012-03-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 150 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
262 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-100 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1382 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
70 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
150 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
188 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.1
Supercell composite
1.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

054 
WFUS54 KMRX 030205
TORMRX
TNC001-093-129-145-030245-
/O.NEW.KMRX.TO.W.0053.120303T0205Z-120303T0245Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MORRISTOWN HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  ANDERSON COUNTY IN EAST TENNESSEE...
  KNOX COUNTY IN EAST TENNESSEE...
  MORGAN COUNTY IN EAST TENNESSEE...
  ROANE COUNTY IN EAST TENNESSEE...

* UNTIL 945 PM EST

* AT 900 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 5 MILES
  NORTHWEST OF KINGSTON. DOPPLER RADAR SHOWED THIS TORNADO MOVING
  EAST AT 55 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
  OAK RIDGE...CLINTON...KNOXVILLE...OLIVER SPRINGS...DEARMOND...
  KARNS...POWELL...NORRIS AND HALLS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 
GOLF BALL 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 1100 PM EST FRIDAY EVENING 
FOR SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA AND ...EAST TENNESSEE AND SOUTHWEST 
VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3597 8470 3625 8400 3600 8380 3583 8459
TIME...MOT...LOC 0204Z 249DEG 52KT 3594 8452

$$
2 follow-up statements
323 
WWUS54 KMRX 030221 RRA
SVSMRX

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

TNC001-093-129-145-030245-
/O.CON.KMRX.TO.W.0053.000000T0000Z-120303T0245Z/
ROANE TN-ANDERSON TN-KNOX TN-MORGAN TN-
921 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM EST FOR MORGAN...
KNOX...ANDERSON AND ROANE COUNTIES...

AT 919 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR OLIVER SPRINGS...
OR NEAR OAK RIDGE...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
  OAK RIDGE...CLINTON...KNOXVILLE...OLIVER SPRINGS...KARNS...
  POWELL...HALLS AND NORRIS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 
GOLF BALL 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 1100 PM EST FRIDAY EVENING
FOR SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA AND CENTRAL TENNESSEE AND SOUTHWEST
VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3591 8464 3604 8452 3625 8400 3600 8380
      3583 8460
TIME...MOT...LOC 0221Z 248DEG 39KT 3600 8436

$$
525 
WWUS54 KMRX 030233
SVSMRX

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

TNC129-030242-
/O.CAN.KMRX.TO.W.0053.000000T0000Z-120303T0245Z/
MORGAN TN-
933 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

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

THE STORM THAT PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS EXITED MORGAN COUNTY. 

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

LAT...LON 3589 8434 3612 8430 3625 8400 3600 8380
TIME...MOT...LOC 0232Z 248DEG 44KT 3606 8416

$$

TNC001-093-145-030245-
/O.CON.KMRX.TO.W.0053.000000T0000Z-120303T0245Z/
ROANE TN-ANDERSON TN-KNOX TN-
933 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM EST FOR KNOX...
ANDERSON AND EXTREME EASTERN ROANE COUNTIES...

AT 928 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 6 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
CLINTON...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
  CLINTON...KNOXVILLE...POWELL...NORRIS AND HALLS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 
GOLF BALL 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 1100 PM EST FRIDAY EVENING 
FOR SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA...EAST TENNESSEE AND SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3589 8434 3612 8430 3625 8400 3600 8380
TIME...MOT...LOC 0232Z 248DEG 44KT 3606 8416

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 2, 7:02 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXBlount, Cocke, Jefferson, Sevier43 min
Mar 2, 7:06 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXPolk39 min
Mar 2, 7:10 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBradley, Hamilton50 min
Mar 2, 7:10 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXCampbell, Scott50 min
Mar 2, 7:40 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXCocke, Sevier35 min
Mar 2, 7:48 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXCampbell, Claiborne, Scott42 min
Mar 2, 7:49 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXBradley, Hamilton, Polk26 min
Mar 2, 8:07 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXBledsoe, Rhea38 min
Mar 2, 8:10 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXPolk35 min
Mar 2, 8:21 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXClaiborne, Hancock, Hawkins39 min
Mar 2, 8:29 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXAnderson, Campbell, Morgan, Scott46 min
Mar 2, 8:35 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXPolk40 min
Mar 2, 8:38 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXLoudon, Morgan, Rhea, Roane37 min
Mar 2, 8:56 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXHancock, Hawkins, Sullivan49 min
Mar 2, 9:14 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXAnderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger, Scott, Union46 min
Mar 2, 9:41 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXAnderson, Grainger, Jefferson, Knox, Sevier, Union34 min
Mar 2, 9:45 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXJohnson, Sullivan60 min
Mar 2, 9:59 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBlount, Knox, Sevier22 min
Mar 2, 9:59 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXClaiborne, Grainger, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins46 min
Mar 2, 10:05 PM ESTTornado WarningMRXCocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Jefferson and 1 more25 min
Mar 2, 10:27 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXCocke, Greene, Hamblen, Sevier, Unicoi48 min
Mar 2, 10:44 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXGreene, Hawkins, Sullivan, Washington46 min
Mar 2, 10:57 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXUnicoi33 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.