Alert archive / West Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 7, NWS Charleston, WV

March 2, 2012Boone County, Kanawha County, Lincoln County, West Virginia

NWS Charleston, WV issued this tornado warning at Mar 2, 2012, 6:58 PM EST for Boone County, Kanawha County, Lincoln County, West Virginia. It was in force for 47 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
Mar 2, 2012, 6:58 PM EST (23:58 UTC)
Expired
Mar 2, 2012, 7:45 PM EST
In force
47 min
Issued by
NWS Charleston, WV
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Boone County, WV, Kanawha County, WV, Lincoln County, WV

The radar

The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 9 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:04 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, 7:30 PM ESTTSTM WND DMGMarmet, WVPOWER IS OUT IN THE CITY WITH POWERLINES DOWN. TIN ROOF BLOWN OFF OF TRAILER HOME IN THE HERNSHAW AREA OF MARMET.
Mar 2, 7:30 PM ESTHAIL 0.25Charleston, WV

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, 4:19 PM ESTTornado Watch PDSSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 12:00Z, 12.0 hours before the alert went out and 224 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, Roanoke, VA at 12:00Z on 2012-03-02Temperature 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, Roanoke, VA at 12:00Z on 2012-03-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 255 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1466 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
76 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
255 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
298 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

680 
WFUS51 KRLX 022358
TORRLX
WVC005-039-043-030045-
/O.NEW.KRLX.TO.W.0007.120302T2358Z-120303T0045Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
658 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHWESTERN BOONE COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  CENTRAL KANAWHA COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF CHARLESTON...
  EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA...

* UNTIL 745 PM EST

* AT 654 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 11 MILES WEST OF
  SPURLOCKVILLE...OR 14 MILES SOUTHWEST OF HAMLIN...MOVING EAST      
  NORTHEAST AT 70 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
  JULIAN...ALUM CREEK...MARMET...BELLE...CHESAPEAKE...COAL FORK...
  EAST BANK...CEDAR GROVE AND PINCH.

THIS WILL IMPACT THE FOLLOWING INTERSTATES...I-77 BETWEEN MILE
MARKERS 96 AND 102 IN WEST VIRGINIA...THE WEST VIRGINIA TURNPIKE
BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 85 AND 95.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GOLF 
BALL SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

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.

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.

PLEASE REPORT TORNADOES...HAIL OR STRONG WINDS TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE BY CALLING TOLL FREE...877-633-6772...WHEN YOU CAN DO
SO SAFELY.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST SATURDAY MORNING
FOR CENTRAL KENTUCKY AND SOUTHEAST OHIO AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND
CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3821 8209 3846 8133 3825 8124 3824 8125
      3808 8205
TIME...MOT...LOC 2358Z 254DEG 60KT 3812 8214

30

$$
2 follow-up statements
423 
WWUS51 KRLX 030022
SVSRLX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
722 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

WVC043-030032-
/O.CAN.KRLX.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-120303T0045Z/
LINCOLN WV-
722 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST SATURDAY MORNING
FOR CENTRAL KENTUCKY AND SOUTHEAST OHIO AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND
CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA.

PLEASE REPORT HAIL OR STRONG WINDS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY
CALLING TOLL FREE...877-633-6772...WHEN YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.

LAT...LON 3826 8181 3830 8181 3846 8133 3825 8124
      3824 8126 3814 8175
TIME...MOT...LOC 0022Z 254DEG 60KT 3822 8165

$$

WVC005-039-030045-
/O.CON.KRLX.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-120303T0045Z/
KANAWHA WV-BOONE WV-
722 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM EST FOR NORTH
CENTRAL BOONE AND CENTRAL KANAWHA COUNTIES...

AT 719 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR ASHFORD...OR 11
MILES SOUTHWEST OF CHARLESTON...MOVING EAST AT 70 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
MARMET...BELLE...CHESAPEAKE...COAL FORK...EAST BANK...CEDAR GROVE...
GLASGOW...PINCH AND POND GAP

THIS WILL IMPACT THE FOLLOWING INTERSTATES...I-77 BETWEEN MILE
MARKERS 96 AND 100 IN WEST VIRGINIA...THE WEST VIRGINIA TURNPIKE
BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 85 AND 95.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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 MIDNIGHT EST SATURDAY MORNING
FOR CENTRAL KENTUCKY AND SOUTHEAST OHIO AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND
CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA.

&&

PLEASE REPORT HAIL OR STRONG WINDS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY
CALLING TOLL FREE...877-633-6772...WHEN YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.

LAT...LON 3826 8181 3830 8181 3846 8133 3825 8124
      3824 8126 3814 8175
TIME...MOT...LOC 0022Z 254DEG 60KT 3822 8165

$$
256 
WWUS51 KRLX 030040
SVSRLX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
740 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

WVC005-039-030050-
/O.EXP.KRLX.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-120303T0045Z/
KANAWHA WV-BOONE WV-
740 PM EST FRI MAR 2 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL BOONE AND CENTRAL KANAWHA
COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 745 PM EST...

THIS WILL IMPACT THE FOLLOWING INTERSTATES...I-77 BETWEEN MILE
MARKERS 96 AND 100 IN WEST VIRGINIA...THE WEST VIRGINIA TURNPIKE
BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 85 AND 95.

THE STORM THAT PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS WEAKENED BELOW SEVERE LIMITS
AND NO LONGER POSES A SEVERE WEATHER THREAT...THUS THE SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM WARNING HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO EXPIRE. HOWEVER OTHER WEAKER
THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA MAY PRODUCE GUSTY WINDS AND PEA SIZE HAIL.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST SATURDAY MORNING
FOR CENTRAL KENTUCKY AND SOUTHEAST OHIO AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND
CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA.

PLEASE REPORT HAIL OR STRONG WINDS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY
CALLING TOLL FREE...877-633-6772...WHEN YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.

LAT...LON 3826 8181 3830 8181 3846 8133 3825 8124
      3824 8126 3814 8175
TIME...MOT...LOC 0040Z 254DEG 60KT 3830 8128

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Charleston, WV issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 2, 9:20 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRLXLincoln, Logan, Mingo, Wayne55 min
Mar 2, 9:39 AM ESTFlash Flood WatchRLXBarbour, Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay and 22 more15 hr
Mar 2, 10:11 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementRLXLincoln, Logan, Mingo, Wayne64 min
Mar 2, 10:29 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRLXBoone, Fayette, Kanawha, Logan, Raleigh, Wyoming46 min
Mar 2, 5:52 PM ESTTornado WarningRLXWayne38 min
Mar 2, 6:10 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRLXMason35 min
Mar 2, 6:23 PM ESTTornado WarningRLXCabell37 min
Mar 2, 6:27 PM ESTTornado WarningRLXCabell, Lincoln, Wayne48 min
Mar 2, 6:29 PM ESTTornado WarningRLXWayne46 min
Mar 2, 6:38 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRLXJackson, Kanawha, Mason, Putnam, Roane, Wirt and 1 more52 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in West Virginia, 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.