Alert archive / Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2012
Tornado Warning 2, NWS Blacksburg, VA
NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this tornado warning at Feb 29, 2012, 7:23 PM EST for Grayson County, Smyth County, Wythe County, Virginia. It was in force for 37 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
- Feb 29, 2012, 7:23 PM EST (00:23 UTC)
- Expired
- Feb 29, 2012, 8:00 PM EST
- In force
- 37 min
- Issued by
- NWS Blacksburg, VA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
Counties Grayson County, VA, Smyth County, VA, Wythe County, VA
The radar
The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 115 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:25 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 29, 7:28 PM EST | HAIL 1 | 5 Sw Thomas Bridge, VA | OBSERVED ON WHITE TOP ROAD NORTH OF KONNAROCK |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 29, 3:43 PM EST | Tornado Watch | SPC | 5 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 00:00Z, 0.4 hours before the alert went out and 159 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
- 62 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -165 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 686 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 55 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 271 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 241 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.1
The text
As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.
714
WFUS51 KRNK 010023
TORRNK
VAC077-173-197-010100-
/O.NEW.KRNK.TO.W.0002.120301T0023Z-120301T0100Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
723 PM EST WED FEB 29 2012
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A
* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
SOUTHERN SMYTH COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
SOUTHWESTERN WYTHE COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
NORTHWESTERN GRAYSON COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
* UNTIL 800 PM EST.
* AT 721 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 8 MILES
NORTHWEST OF WHITETOP...MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH.
* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
MOUNT ROGERS SUMMIT...
GRAYSON HIGHLANDS STATE PARK...
TROUTDALE...
FLATRIDGE...
COMERS ROCK...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
WHEN A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED BASED ON DOPPLER RADAR...IT MEANS
THAT STRONG ROTATION HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE STORM. A TORNADO MAY
ALREADY BE ON THE GROUND...OR IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP SHORTLY. IF YOU
ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS DANGEROUS STORM...MOVE INDOORS AND TO THE
LOWEST LEVEL OF THE BUILDING. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF DRIVING...DO
NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER A HIGHWAY OVERPASS.
WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO...PLEASE RELAY YOUR SEVERE WEATHER REPORTS
TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY CALLING TOLL FREE AT...1...8 6
6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4.
A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM EST WEDNESDAY EVENING
FOR SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA AND SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA.
&&
LAT...LON 3683 8121 3665 8116 3659 8167 3662 8165
3663 8161 3665 8164 3675 8169 3677 8169
TIME...MOT...LOC 0023Z 261DEG 49KT 3668 8169
$$
DS5 follow-up statements
174
WWUS51 KRNK 010034
SVSRNK
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
734 PM EST WED FEB 29 2012
VAC077-173-197-010100-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120301T0100Z/
SMYTH VA-WYTHE VA-GRAYSON VA-
734 PM EST WED FEB 29 2012
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EST FOR
SOUTHEASTERN SMYTH...SOUTHWESTERN WYTHE AND NORTHWESTERN GRAYSON
COUNTIES...
AT 730 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MOUNT ROGERS
SUMMIT...OR 7 MILES NORTH OF WHITETOP...MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
MOUNT ROGERS SUMMIT...
TROUTDALE...
FLATRIDGE...
COMERS ROCK...
ELK CREEK...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
HEAVY RAINFALL MAY OBSCURE THIS TORNADO. TAKE COVER NOW! IF YOU WAIT
TO SEE OR HEAR IT COMING...IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE.
A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM EST WEDNESDAY EVENING
FOR SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA AND SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA.
&&
LAT...LON 3663 8157 3666 8160 3673 8161 3679 8157
3683 8121 3665 8116
TIME...MOT...LOC 0033Z 261DEG 49KT 3671 8152
$$
DS729
WWUS51 KRNK 010037
SVSRNK
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
737 PM EST WED FEB 29 2012
VAC077-173-197-010100-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120301T0100Z/
SMYTH VA-WYTHE VA-GRAYSON VA-
737 PM EST WED FEB 29 2012
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EST FOR
SOUTHEASTERN SMYTH...SOUTHWESTERN WYTHE AND CENTRAL GRAYSON
COUNTIES...
AT 735 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR TROUTDALE...MOVING
EAST AT 55 MPH.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
TROUTDALE...
FLATRIDGE...
COMERS ROCK...
ELK CREEK...
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.
A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM EST WEDNESDAY EVENING
FOR SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA AND SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA.
&&
LAT...LON 3665 8146 3667 8150 3671 8152 3675 8152
3683 8121 3665 8116
TIME...MOT...LOC 0037Z 261DEG 49KT 3672 8145
$$
DS569
WWUS51 KRNK 010042
SVSRNK
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
742 PM EST WED FEB 29 2012
VAC077-173-197-010100-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120301T0100Z/
SMYTH VA-WYTHE VA-GRAYSON VA-
742 PM EST WED FEB 29 2012
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EST FOR
SOUTHEASTERN SMYTH...SOUTHWESTERN WYTHE AND NORTHERN GRAYSON
COUNTIES...
AT 739 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR TROUTDALE...MOVING
EAST AT 55 MPH.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
SUGAR GROVE...
FLATRIDGE...
COMERS ROCK...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM EST WEDNESDAY EVENING
FOR SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA AND SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA.
&&
LAT...LON 3669 8139 3670 8143 3672 8146 3676 8145
3683 8121 3669 8117
TIME...MOT...LOC 0042Z 262DEG 49KT 3673 8136
$$
DS775
WWUS51 KRNK 010049
SVSRNK
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
749 PM EST WED FEB 29 2012
VAC077-173-197-010100-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120301T0100Z/
SMYTH VA-WYTHE VA-GRAYSON VA-
749 PM EST WED FEB 29 2012
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EST FOR
SOUTHEASTERN SMYTH...SOUTHWESTERN WYTHE AND NORTHERN GRAYSON
COUNTIES...
AT 744 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR SHOWED THE
ROTATION FROM THE STORM THAT PROMPTED THE TORNADO WARNING WAS
WEAKENING. THIS HAPPENS SOME TIMES WITH AN INTENSIFICATION THAT
FOLLOWS. THEREFORE...THE WARNING WILL BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE. THIS
STORM WILL PASS NEAR FLATRIDGE...OR NEAR SUGAR GROVE...AND MOVE EAST
AT 55 MPH.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
FLATRIDGE...
COMERS ROCK...
ELK CREEK...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER...PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG AT...1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4...WHEN YOU CAN
DO SO SAFELY. ONCE AGAIN THAT NUMBER IS 1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4.
A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM EST WEDNESDAY EVENING
FOR SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA AND SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA.
&&
LAT...LON 3670 8133 3671 8137 3673 8139 3676 8138
3683 8121 3669 8117
TIME...MOT...LOC 0046Z 261DEG 48KT 3674 8130
$$
DS329
WWUS51 KRNK 010055
SVSRNK
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
755 PM EST WED FEB 29 2012
VAC077-173-197-010105-
/O.EXP.KRNK.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120301T0100Z/
SMYTH VA-WYTHE VA-GRAYSON VA-
755 PM EST WED FEB 29 2012
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN SMYTH...SOUTHWESTERN WYTHE
AND NORTHERN GRAYSON COUNTIES EXPIRES AT 800 PM EST...
A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA. IF A TORNADO
IS SPOTTED... ACT QUICKLY AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IN A STURDY
STRUCTURE...SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM.
A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM EST WEDNESDAY EVENING
FOR SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA AND SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA.
LAT...LON 3670 8133 3671 8137 3673 8139 3676 8138
3683 8121 3669 8117
TIME...MOT...LOC 0055Z 261DEG 48KT 3676 8115
$$
DSThe office that day
Everything else NWS Blacksburg, VA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 29, 7:01 PM EST | Flash Flood Warning | RNK | Bland, Smyth, Tazewell | 6 hr |
| Feb 29, 7:18 PM EST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RNK | Bland, Tazewell | 27 min |
| Feb 29, 11:26 PM EST | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Tazewell | 64 min |
| Feb 29, 11:29 PM EST | Tornado Warning | RNK | Tazewell | 31 min |
| Mar 1, 12:26 AM EST | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Bedford | 34 min |
| Mar 1, 12:58 AM EST | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Bedford, Campbell, City of Lynchburg | 47 min |
| Mar 1, 1:10 AM EST | Tornado Warning | RNK | Appomattox, Bedford, Campbell, City of Lynchburg | 20 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in 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.