Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 1, NWS Raleigh, NC

March 3, 2012Stanly County, North Carolina

NWS Raleigh, NC issued this tornado warning at Mar 3, 2012, 2:40 AM EST for Stanly County, North Carolina. It was in force for 50 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 3, 2012, 2:40 AM EST (07:40 UTC)
Expired
Mar 3, 2012, 3:30 AM EST
In force
50 min
Issued by
NWS Raleigh, NC
Area
Storm-based polygon

County Stanly County, NC

The radar

The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 156 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 07:42 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 3, 3:10 AM ESTTSTM WND DMG5 S Finger, NCTWO OLD BARNS WERE BLOWN DOWN AND ONE HOME SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE ON SUBSTATION ROAD.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 00:00Z, 7.7 hours before the alert went out and 80 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 2012-03-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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 2012-03-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 442 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
518 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
65 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
442 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
585 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
1.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

409 
WFUS52 KRAH 030740
TORRAH
NCC167-030830-
/O.NEW.KRAH.TO.W.0001.120303T0740Z-120303T0830Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
240 AM EST SAT MAR 3 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RALEIGH HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  STANLY COUNTY IN CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA

* UNTIL 330 AM EST

* AT 238 AM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  TORNADO 14 MILES WEST OF LOCUST...OR 12 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
  CONCORD...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH. DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS IN
  EXCESS OF 58 MPH ARE ALSO LIKELY WITH THIS STORM.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  LOCUST...STANFIELD...
  FINGER...
  PLYLER...
  ALBEMARLE...NEW LONDON...
  BADIN...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW. MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A
STURDY BUILDING. AVOID WINDOWS. IF IN A MOBILE HOME...VEHICLE OR
OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS
AVAILABLE LIE DOWN IN A LOW LYING AREA. PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FLYING
DEBRIS.

PLEASE REPORT SEVERE WEATHER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY
CALLING...1...8 7 7...6 3 3...6 7 7 2 OR NOTIFY YOUR LOCAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

&&

LAT...LON 3548 8032 3551 8022 3551 8019 3548 8017
      3546 8011 3540 8009 3537 8005 3536 8007
      3534 8007 3529 8010 3525 8010 3520 8050
TIME...MOT...LOC 0739Z 253DEG 44KT 3527 8062

$$

MWS
4 follow-up statements
539 
WWUS52 KRAH 030751
SVSRAH

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
251 AM EST SAT MAR 3 2012

NCC167-030830-
/O.CON.KRAH.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-120303T0830Z/
STANLY NC-
251 AM EST SAT MAR 3 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 AM EST FOR STANLY
COUNTY...

AT 250 AM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR LOCUST...OR 9
MILES SOUTHEAST OF CONCORD...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

HAZARDS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
A TORNADO.
OTHER DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 58 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE PATH OF THE STORM INCLUDE... FINGER...PLYLER...
RICHFIELD...ALBEMARLE...NEW LONDON AND BADIN.

NIGHTTIME TORNADOES ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS THEY ARE DIFFICULT TO
SEE. TAKE COVER NOW. DO NOT SEEK VISUAL CONFIRMATION.

WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO...PLEASE CALL IN YOUR REPORTS OF WIND 
DAMAGE...INCLUDING TREES OR LARGE LIMBS DOWNED...BY CALLING THE 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOLL FREE AT...1...8 7 7...6 3 3...6 7 7 2.

LAT...LON 3548 8032 3551 8022 3551 8019 3548 8017
      3546 8011 3540 8009 3537 8005 3536 8007
      3534 8007 3529 8010 3525 8010 3520 8050
TIME...MOT...LOC 0750Z 253DEG 44KT 3531 8046

$$

MWS
667 
WWUS52 KRAH 030802
SVSRAH

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
302 AM EST SAT MAR 3 2012

NCC167-030830-
/O.CON.KRAH.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-120303T0830Z/
STANLY NC-
302 AM EST SAT MAR 3 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 AM EST FOR STANLY
COUNTY...

AT 302 AM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR FINGER...OR 9 
MILES WEST OF ALBEMARLE...MOVING EAST NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

HAZARDS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
A TORNADO.
OTHER DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 58 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE PATH OF THE STORM INCLUDE... PLYLER...RICHFIELD...
NEW LONDON AND BADIN.

HEAVY RAINFALL MAY HIDE THIS TORNADO MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE. DO
NOT WAIT TO SEE OR HEAR THE TORNADO. TAKE COVER NOW.

WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO...PLEASE CALL IN YOUR REPORTS OF WIND 
DAMAGE...INCLUDING TREES OR LARGE LIMBS DOWNED BY CALLING THE 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOLL FREE AT...1...8 7 7...6 3 3...6 7 7 2.

LAT...LON 3548 8032 3551 8022 3551 8019 3548 8017
      3546 8011 3540 8009 3537 8005 3536 8007
      3534 8007 3529 8010 3525 8010 3520 8050
TIME...MOT...LOC 0801Z 253DEG 44KT 3535 8030

$$

MWS
226 
WWUS52 KRAH 030813
SVSRAH

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
313 AM EST SAT MAR 3 2012

NCC167-030830-
/O.CON.KRAH.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-120303T0830Z/
STANLY NC-
313 AM EST SAT MAR 3 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 AM EST FOR
NORTHEASTERN STANLY COUNTY...

AT 313 AM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR NEW LONDON...OR 
NEAR ALBEMARLE...MOVING EAST NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

HAZARDS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
A TORNADO.
OTHER DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 58 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL OTHERWISE REMAIN OVER MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF THE
INDICATED COUNTY.

IF YOU OBSERVED A TORNADO...DAMAGING WINDS...OR LARGE HAIL...PLEASE
NOTIFY YOUR NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND ASK THEM TO RELAY YOUR
REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE IN RALEIGH.

LAT...LON 3551 8022 3551 8019 3548 8017 3546 8011
      3540 8009 3537 8005 3536 8007 3533 8007
      3530 8009 3531 8020 3549 8027
TIME...MOT...LOC 0813Z 249DEG 44KT 3543 8014

$$

MWS
690 
WWUS52 KRAH 030821
SVSRAH

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
321 AM EST SAT MAR 3 2012

NCC167-030831-
/O.EXP.KRAH.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-120303T0830Z/
STANLY NC-
321 AM EST SAT MAR 3 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN STANLY COUNTY EXPIRES AT 330
AM EST...

THE STORM WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS WEAKENED AND MOVED OUT OF 
STANLY COUNTY...SO THE WARNING WILL BE ALLOWED TO EXPIRE. 

IF YOU OBSERVED SEVERE WEATHER INCLUDING DAMAGING WINDS OR LARGE 
HAIL...PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY CALLING TOLL 
FREE 1...8 7 7...6 3 3...6 7 7 2...OR NOTIFY YOUR NEAREST LAW 
ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND ASK THEM TO RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL 
WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE IN RALEIGH.

WHILE THE IMMEDIATE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT HAS DISSIPATED...ADDITIONAL
SEVERE WEATHER IS POSSIBLE DURING THE NEXT FEW HOURS. BE PREPARED TO
MOVE QUICKLY TO AN INTERIOR ROOM OF A SAFE SHELTER IF A WARNING IS
ISSUED.

LAT...LON 3551 8022 3551 8019 3548 8017 3546 8011
      3540 8009 3537 8005 3536 8007 3533 8007
      3530 8009 3531 8020 3549 8027
TIME...MOT...LOC 0821Z 249DEG 44KT 3546 8003

$$

MWS

The office that day

Everything else NWS Raleigh, NC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 2, 7:52 PM ESTDense Fog AdvisoryRAHAlamance, Anson, Chatham, Davidson, Durham, Forsyth and 11 more6 hr
Mar 3, 1:39 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRAHRandolph, Stanly51 min
Mar 3, 2:56 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRAHChatham, Durham, Orange, Wake49 min
Mar 3, 3:12 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRAHRandolph63 min
Mar 3, 3:28 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRAHFranklin, Halifax, Nash47 min
Mar 3, 3:33 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHChatham, Randolph57 min
Mar 3, 3:45 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRAHMontgomery, Stanly45 min
Mar 3, 4:16 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHChatham, Durham, Granville, Orange, Wake59 min
Mar 3, 4:25 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRAHAnson, Richmond50 min
Mar 3, 4:31 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRAHHarnett, Lee, Moore44 min
Mar 3, 4:42 AM ESTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHDurham, Granville, Orange, Person3 hr
Mar 3, 4:43 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRAHMoore47 min
Mar 3, 5:01 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRAHFranklin, Halifax59 min
Mar 3, 6:04 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRAHHoke, Richmond, Scotland41 min
Mar 3, 6:38 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRAHCumberland, Sampson52 min
Mar 3, 7:33 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRAHSampson27 min

Nearby

Tornado 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.