Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 13, NWS Raleigh, NC

September 18, 2012Cumberland County, Johnston County, Sampson County, North Carolina

NWS Raleigh, NC issued this tornado warning at Sep 18, 2012, 3:24 PM EDT for Cumberland County, Johnston County, Sampson County, North Carolina. It was in force for 23 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Sep 18, 2012, 3:24 PM EDT (19:24 UTC)
Expired
Sep 18, 2012, 3:47 PM EDT
In force
23 min
Issued by
NWS Raleigh, NC
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Cumberland County, NC, Johnston County, NC, Sampson County, NC

The radar

The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 46 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:27 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.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Sep 18, 9:45 AM EDTTornado WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 7.4 hours before the alert went out and 153 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 12:00Z on 2012-09-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 533 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 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 12:00Z on 2012-09-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 221 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
533 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
545 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
35 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
221 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
313 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.5
Supercell composite
4.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

885 
WFUS52 KRAH 181924
TORRAH
NCC051-101-163-182000-
/O.NEW.KRAH.TO.W.0013.120918T1924Z-120918T2000Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
324 PM EDT TUE SEP 18 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RALEIGH HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHEASTERN CUMBERLAND COUNTY IN CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA
  SOUTH CENTRAL JOHNSTON COUNTY IN CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA
  NORTHWESTERN SAMPSON COUNTY IN CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA

* UNTIL 400 PM EDT

* AT 322 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  TORNADO OVER WADE...OR 12 MILES EAST OF FAYETTEVILLE...MOVING
  NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH. DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 58
  MPH ARE ALSO LIKELY WITH THIS STORM.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  FALCON...GODWIN...
  SPIVEY'S CORNER...
  NEWTON GROVE...

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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM EDT TUESDAY AFTERNOON
FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

&&

LAT...LON 3511 7883 3525 7866 3525 7862 3528 7858
      3530 7858 3532 7853 3534 7853 3535 7854
      3543 7844 3532 7828 3529 7830 3522 7824
      3497 7871
TIME...MOT...LOC 1924Z 226DEG 33KT 3512 7868

$$

77
2 follow-up statements
052 
WWUS52 KRAH 181939
SVSRAH

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
339 PM EDT TUE SEP 18 2012

NCC051-181948-
/O.CAN.KRAH.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-120918T2000Z/
CUMBERLAND NC-
339 PM EDT TUE SEP 18 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN CUMBERLAND COUNTY IS 
CANCELLED...

THE STORM WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS MOVED OUT OF CUMBERLAND 
COUNTY. THUS... THE WARNING IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT FOR CUMBERLAND 
COUNTY.

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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM EDT TUESDAY AFTERNOON
FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

LAT...LON 3504 7865 3508 7867 3512 7865 3512 7864
      3517 7863 3525 7855 3537 7840 3532 7828
      3529 7830 3522 7824 3522 7825 3506 7855
TIME...MOT...LOC 1938Z 238DEG 22KT 3511 7863

$$

NCC101-163-182000-
/O.CON.KRAH.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-120918T2000Z/
JOHNSTON NC-SAMPSON NC-
339 PM EDT TUE SEP 18 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM EDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN SAMPSON AND SOUTH CENTRAL JOHNSTON COUNTIES...

AT 336 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 12 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
SPIVEY'S CORNER...OR 15 MILES EAST OF FAYETTEVILLE...MOVING NORTHEAST
AT 25 MPH.

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

LOCATIONS IN THE PATH OF THE STORM INCLUDE... NEWTON GROVE AND
HOBBTON.

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 40 BETWEEN EXITS 334 AND 343.

WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO...PLEASE CALL IN YOUR REPORTS OF PENNY OR
LARGER SIZED HAIL...AS WELL AS 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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM EDT TUESDAY AFTERNOON
FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

LAT...LON 3504 7865 3508 7867 3512 7865 3512 7864
      3517 7863 3525 7855 3537 7840 3532 7828
      3529 7830 3522 7824 3522 7825 3506 7855
TIME...MOT...LOC 1938Z 238DEG 22KT 3511 7863

$$

77
694 
WWUS52 KRAH 181947 RRA
SVSRAH

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
347 PM EDT TUE SEP 18 2012

NCC101-163-181957-
/O.CAN.KRAH.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-120918T2000Z/
JOHNSTON NC-SAMPSON NC-
347 PM EDT TUE SEP 18 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN SAMPSON AND SOUTH CENTRAL
JOHNSTON COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

THE STORM WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS WEAKENED AND THE WARNING IS 
NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM EDT TUESDAY AFTERNOON
FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

LAT...LON 3504 7865 3508 7867 3512 7865 3512 7864
      3517 7863 3525 7855 3537 7840 3532 7828
      3529 7830 3522 7824 3522 7825 3506 7855
TIME...MOT...LOC 1947Z 238DEG 22KT 3514 7857

$$

77

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 17, 8:32 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHDavie58 min
Sep 17, 10:33 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHForsyth27 min
Sep 18, 6:52 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHAnson, Stanly38 min
Sep 18, 7:46 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHAnson, Montgomery, Richmond, Stanly89 min
Sep 18, 8:04 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHDavidson, Guilford, Randolph86 min
Sep 18, 8:34 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHMontgomery56 min
Sep 18, 8:56 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHAlamance, Chatham, Guilford, Randolph94 min
Sep 18, 9:34 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHAlamance, Chatham, Orange56 min
Sep 18, 10:45 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHDurham, Granville, Person, Vance45 min
Sep 18, 11:35 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHOrange40 min
Sep 18, 11:52 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHAlamance, Chatham, Randolph2 hr
Sep 18, 12:03 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHGranville, Orange57 min
Sep 18, 12:14 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHChatham31 min
Sep 18, 12:50 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHPerson25 min
Sep 18, 12:55 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHAnson, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Scotland65 min
Sep 18, 1:29 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHGranville46 min
Sep 18, 1:37 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHGranville, Vance53 min
Sep 18, 1:40 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHFranklin, Halifax, Warren35 min
Sep 18, 1:47 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHChatham, Harnett, Hoke, Lee58 min
Sep 18, 2:27 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHAlamance, Chatham, Orange, Randolph63 min
Sep 18, 2:37 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHGranville21 min
Sep 18, 2:40 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHCumberland, Harnett, Johnston65 min
Sep 18, 2:43 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHFranklin, Wake62 min
Sep 18, 2:51 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHHarnett, Johnston, Wake54 min
Sep 18, 3:04 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHWake2 hr
Sep 18, 3:13 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHChatham, Durham, Granville, Vance32 min
Sep 18, 3:19 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHCumberland, Harnett, Johnston, Sampson41 min
Sep 18, 3:27 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHWarren33 min
Sep 18, 3:37 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRAHWake93 min
Sep 18, 3:38 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHFranklin, Nash, Wake14 min
Sep 18, 3:52 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHJohnston, Wilson53 min
Sep 18, 3:56 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHHalifax, Nash64 min
Sep 18, 5:01 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHHalifax44 min
Sep 18, 5:09 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHHalifax85 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.