Alert archive / Oklahoma / Tornado Warnings in 2012
Tornado Warning 35, NWS Norman, OK
NWS Norman, OK issued this tornado warning at Apr 15, 2012, 12:16 AM CDT for Ellis County, Harper County, Woodward County, Oklahoma. It was in force for 29 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
- Apr 15, 2012, 12:16 AM CDT (05:16 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 15, 2012, 12:45 AM CDT
- In force
- 29 min
- Issued by
- NWS Norman, OK
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
Counties Ellis County, OK, Harper County, OK, Woodward County, OK
The radar
The Vance AFB radar (KVNX), 107 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 05:18 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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 15, 12:18 AM CDT | TORNADO 3 | Woodward, OK | *** 6 FATAL, 29 INJ *** THE TORNADO BEGIN AROUND 2350 CDT 3 MILES NORTHEAST OF ARNETT AND CONTINUED NORTHEAST INTO WOODWARD COUNTY. THE TORNADO MOVED INTO THE SOUTHWEST SIDES OF THE CITY LIMITS OF WOODWARD AROUND 0018 CDT, AND EXITED ON THE NORTH-NORTHWEST SID |
| Apr 15, 12:18 AM CDT | TORNADO | Woodward, OK | MULTIPLE REORTS OF STRUCTURAL DAMAGE |
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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 14, 5:24 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 9 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Dodge City, (KDDC), launched 00:00Z, 5.3 hours before the alert went out and 151 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 2712 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -59 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1140 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 84 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 369 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 445 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 6.0
- Supercell composite
- 30.6
The text
As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.
963 WFUS54 KOUN 150516 TOROUN OKC045-059-153-150545- /O.NEW.KOUN.TO.W.0035.120415T0516Z-120415T0545Z/ BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK 1216 AM CDT SUN APR 15 2012 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORMAN HAS ISSUED A * TORNADO WARNING FOR... SOUTHEASTERN HARPER COUNTY IN NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA... WOODWARD COUNTY IN NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA... EXTREME NORTHEASTERN ELLIS COUNTY IN NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA... * UNTIL 1245 AM CDT * AT 1213 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS AND STORM SPOTTERS OBSERVED A DANGEROUS TORNADO WITH A HISTORY OF PRODUCING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. THE TORNADO WAS MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH. * LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... WOODWARD...MOORELAND AND TANGIER. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... GET IN...GET DOWN AND COVER UP. TAKE COVER NOW IN A STORM SHELTER OR AN INTERIOR ROOM OF A STURDY BUILDING. STAY AWAY FROM DOORS AND WINDOWS. THE TORNADO WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE IN THE DARK. DO NOT WAIT. TAKE COVER NOW. && LAT...LON 3652 9897 3627 9945 3640 9965 3680 9938 TIME...MOT...LOC 0513Z 223DEG 38KT 3636 9953 $$ AUSTIN
2 follow-up statements
819 WWUS54 KOUN 150520 SVSOUN SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK 1220 AM CDT SUN APR 15 2012 OKC045-059-153-150545- /O.CON.KOUN.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-120415T0545Z/ HARPER OK-WOODWARD OK-ELLIS OK- 1220 AM CDT SUN APR 15 2012 ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1245 AM CDT FOR SOUTHEASTERN HARPER...WOODWARD AND EXTREME NORTHEASTERN ELLIS COUNTIES... AT 1218 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS AND STORM SPOTTERS WERE TRACKING A LARGE AND DANGEROUS TORNADO MOVING INTO WOODWARD. THIS TORNADO LOCATED NEAR WOODWARD...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... WOODWARD...MOORELAND AND TANGIER. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... GET IN...GET DOWN AND COVER UP. TAKE COVER NOW IN A STORM SHELTER OR AN INTERIOR ROOM OF A STURDY BUILDING. STAY AWAY FROM DOORS AND WINDOWS. THE TORNADO WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE IN THE DARK. DO NOT WAIT. TAKE COVER NOW. THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY TORNADO. GO TO A STORM SHELTER OR GET DEEP INSIDE A STURDY BUILDING AWAY FROM WALLS... DOORS AND WINDOWS NOW. && LAT...LON 3680 9938 3652 9897 3631 9939 3646 9961 TIME...MOT...LOC 0518Z 223DEG 38KT 3640 9949 $$ AUSTIN
788 WWUS54 KOUN 150533 SVSOUN SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK 1233 AM CDT SUN APR 15 2012 OKC045-150555- /O.CAN.KOUN.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-120415T0545Z/ ELLIS OK- 1233 AM CDT SUN APR 15 2012 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EXTREME NORTHEASTERN ELLIS COUNTY IS CANCELLED... THE TORNADIC THUNDERSTORM WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS MOVED OUT OF THE WARNED AREA. THE WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED. LAT...LON 3652 9897 3639 9929 3653 9950 3680 9938 TIME...MOT...LOC 0531Z 223DEG 38KT 3648 9940 $$ OKC059-153-150545- /O.CON.KOUN.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-120415T0545Z/ HARPER OK-WOODWARD OK- 1233 AM CDT SUN APR 15 2012 ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1245 AM CDT FOR SOUTHEASTERN HARPER AND WOODWARD COUNTIES... AT 1227 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS AND STORM SPOTTERS CONTINUED TO TRACK A LARGE AND DANGEROUS TORNADO WITH A HISTORY OF PRODUCING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE IN WOODWARD. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NORTH OF WOODWARD...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... MOORELAND. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... THE TORNADO WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE IN THE DARK. DO NOT WAIT. TAKE COVER NOW. THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY TORNADO. GO TO A STORM SHELTER OR GET DEEP INSIDE A STURDY BUILDING AWAY FROM WALLS... DOORS AND WINDOWS NOW. && LAT...LON 3652 9897 3639 9929 3653 9950 3680 9938 TIME...MOT...LOC 0527Z 223DEG 38KT 3648 9940 $$ AUSTIN
The office that day
Everything else NWS Norman, OK issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 14, 7:06 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OUN | Alfalfa, Woods | 54 min |
| Apr 14, 7:09 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OUN | Major, Woods | 36 min |
| Apr 14, 7:35 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OUN | Alfalfa, Woods | 40 min |
| Apr 14, 8:07 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OUN | Alfalfa | 38 min |
| Apr 14, 10:35 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Ellis, Harper, Woods, Woodward | 40 min |
| Apr 14, 10:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Ellis, Roger Mills, Woodward | 49 min |
| Apr 14, 11:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Ellis, Harper, Woods, Woodward | 62 min |
| Apr 14, 11:19 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OUN | Alfalfa, Beckham, Dewey | 56 min |
| Apr 14, 11:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Beckham, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Greer, Harmon and 3 more | 64 min |
| Apr 14, 11:53 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Ellis, Roger Mills, Woodward | 37 min |
| Apr 15, 12:00 AM CDT | Tornado Warning | OUN | Ellis, Harper, Woodward | 30 min |
| Apr 15, 12:03 AM CDT | Tornado Warning | OUN | Beckham, Roger Mills | 27 min |
| Apr 15, 12:16 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Alfalfa, Ellis, Harper, Major, Woods, Woodward | 59 min |
| Apr 15, 12:33 AM CDT | Tornado Warning | OUN | Custer, Dewey, Roger Mills | 42 min |
| Apr 15, 12:39 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Beckham, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Greer, Harmon and 5 more | 66 min |
| Apr 15, 12:42 AM CDT | Tornado Warning | OUN | Harper, Woods, Woodward | 33 min |
| Apr 15, 1:15 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Alfalfa, Dewey, Grant, Major, Woods, Woodward | 60 min |
| Apr 15, 1:29 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OUN | Blaine, Caddo, Kingfisher, Tillman | 61 min |
| Apr 15, 1:36 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Comanche, Custer, Dewey and 3 more | 54 min |
| Apr 15, 1:41 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Comanche, Jackson, Kiowa, Tillman | 64 min |
| Apr 15, 2:34 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Comanche, Grady, Kingfisher and 3 more | 56 min |
| Apr 15, 2:37 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OUN | Lincoln, McClain, Payne, Pottawatomie | 68 min |
| Apr 15, 2:44 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Comanche, Cotton, Grady, Jefferson, Stephens, Tillman | 45 min |
| Apr 15, 3:06 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OUN | Kay, Noble | 24 min |
| Apr 15, 3:36 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OUN | Grady, Kay, Logan, McClain, Noble, Oklahoma and 1 more | 54 min |
| Apr 15, 3:40 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OUN | Jefferson, Stephens | 65 min |
| Apr 15, 4:35 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OUN | Cleveland, Garvin, Lincoln, Payne, Pottawatomie, Seminole | 55 min |
| Apr 15, 4:37 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OUN | Carter, Garvin, Johnston, Love, Marshall, Murray and 1 more | 53 min |
| Apr 15, 5:36 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OUN | Coal, Hughes, Pontotoc, Seminole | 54 min |
| Apr 15, 6:52 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OUN | Atoka, Coal, Hughes | 23 min |
| Apr 15, 7:53 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Bryan | 52 min |
| Apr 15, 8:27 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Atoka | 48 min |
| Apr 15, 9:03 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OUN | Bryan | 27 min |
| Apr 15, 9:34 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OUN | Atoka | 26 min |
| Apr 15, 11:00 AM CDT | Wind Advisory | OUN | Alfalfa, Beckham, Blaine, Custer, Dewey, Ellis and 11 more | 6 hr |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Oklahoma, 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.