Alert archive / Montana / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 2, NWS Great Falls, MT

June 4, 2012Toole County, Montana

NWS Great Falls, MT issued this tornado warning at Jun 4, 2012, 10:15 PM MDT for Toole County, Montana. It was in force for 45 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
Jun 4, 2012, 10:15 PM MDT (04:15 UTC)
Expired
Jun 4, 2012, 11:00 PM MDT
In force
45 min
Issued by
NWS Great Falls, MT
Area
Storm-based polygon

County Toole County, MT

The radar

The Great Falls radar (KTFX), 105 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 04:18 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.

The watch it was issued in

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

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jun 4, 6:02 PM MDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Great_falls, MT (KTFX), launched 00:00Z, 4.3 hours before the alert went out and 127 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, Great_falls, MT at 00:00Z on 2012-06-05Temperature 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, Great_falls, MT at 00:00Z on 2012-06-05The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 182 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
2217 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
69 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
182 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
469 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.

164 
WFUS55 KTFX 050415
TORTFX
MTC101-050500-
/O.NEW.KTFX.TO.W.0002.120605T0415Z-120605T0500Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
1015 PM MDT MON JUN 4 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREAT FALLS HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTH CENTRAL TOOLE COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL MONTANA...

* UNTIL 1100 PM MDT.

* AT 1010 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED 
  A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 14 MILES 
  SOUTH OF DEVON...OR 20 MILES EAST OF CONRAD...MOVING NORTH AT
  25 MPH.

* THE MOST DANGEROUS PORTION OF THE STORM WILL GENERALLY REMAIN OVER
  RURAL AREAS OF SOUTH CENTRAL TOOLE COUNTY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TORNADOES ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT BECAUSE THEY ARE HARD TO
SEE. TAKE COVER NOW. IF A BASEMENT IS NOT AVAILABLE...MOVE TO AN
INTERIOR ROOM OR HALLWAY ON THE LOWEST FLOOR. LEAVE MOBILE HOMES AND
VEHICLES FOR REINFORCED SHELTER. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

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 100 AM MDT TUESDAY MORNING
FOR NORTHWESTERN MONTANA.

LAT...LON 4834 11165 4843 11174 4857 11171 4858 11137
      4823 11137 4825 11161
TIME...MOT...LOC 0415Z 180DEG 21KT 4830 11154

$$

BRUSDA
3 follow-up statements
377 
WWUS55 KTFX 050426
SVSTFX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
1026 PM MDT MON JUN 4 2012

MTC101-050500-
/O.CON.KTFX.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120605T0500Z/
TOOLE MT-
1026 PM MDT MON JUN 4 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM MDT FOR SOUTH
CENTRAL TOOLE COUNTY...

AT 1023 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A DEVELOPING TORNADO. THIS DANGEROUS STORM IS LOCATED 9 
MILES SOUTH OF DEVON...OR 18 MILES SOUTHEAST OF SHELBY...MOVING NORTH
AT 25 MPH.

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

LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WIND GUSTS ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. 
THIS STORM HAS HAD A HISTORY OF PRODUCING GOLF BALL SIZE HAIL.

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 100 AM MDT TUESDAY MORNING
FOR NORTHWESTERN MONTANA.

LAT...LON 4834 11138 4829 11160 4834 11165 4843 11174
      4857 11171 4858 11137
TIME...MOT...LOC 0425Z 180DEG 21KT 4836 11154

$$

BRUSDA
993 
WWUS55 KTFX 050442
SVSTFX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
1042 PM MDT MON JUN 4 2012

MTC101-050500-
/O.CON.KTFX.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120605T0500Z/
TOOLE MT-
1042 PM MDT MON JUN 4 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM MDT FOR CENTRAL
TOOLE COUNTY...

AT 1037 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS
DANGEROUS STORM IS LOCATED NEAR DEVON...OR 16 MILES EAST OF
SHELBY...MOVING NORTH AT 25 MPH.

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

THIS STORM IS ALSO CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HAIL OF QUARTER SIZE OR 
LARGER.

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 100 AM MDT TUESDAY MORNING
FOR NORTHWESTERN MONTANA.

LAT...LON 4840 11138 4838 11169 4857 11171 4858 11137
TIME...MOT...LOC 0442Z 180DEG 21KT 4846 11154

$$

BRUSDA
384 
WWUS55 KTFX 050458
SVSTFX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
1058 PM MDT MON JUN 4 2012

MTC101-050508-
/O.EXP.KTFX.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120605T0500Z/
TOOLE MT-
1058 PM MDT MON JUN 4 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL TOOLE COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT
1100 PM MDT...

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED THAT THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM
THAT PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS EXPIRED...HOWEVER THIS STORM REMAINS
SEVERE AND A NEW THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 AM MDT TUESDAY MORNING
FOR NORTHWESTERN MONTANA.

LAT...LON 4840 11138 4838 11169 4857 11171 4858 11137
TIME...MOT...LOC 0458Z 180DEG 21KT 4855 11154

$$

BRUSDA

The office that day

Everything else NWS Great Falls, MT issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 4, 6:13 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTFXCascade, Lewis and Clark, Teton62 min
Jun 4, 6:34 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementTFXCascade41 min
Jun 4, 6:59 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTFXCascade, Chouteau, Pondera, Teton61 min
Jun 4, 7:53 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTFXChouteau, Hill, Liberty67 min
Jun 4, 8:06 PM MDTTornado WarningTFXChouteau39 min
Jun 4, 8:48 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTFXChouteau, Hill, Liberty72 min
Jun 4, 9:05 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementTFXPondera25 min
Jun 4, 9:14 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTFXChouteau, Liberty, Pondera, Teton, Toole61 min
Jun 4, 9:49 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementTFXPondera41 min
Jun 4, 10:07 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTFXGlacier, Pondera, Teton, Toole38 min
Jun 4, 10:31 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementTFXPondera44 min
Jun 4, 10:41 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTFXGlacier, Pondera, Teton49 min
Jun 4, 10:44 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTFXGlacier, Liberty, Pondera, Teton, Toole61 min
Jun 4, 11:47 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTFXGlacier, Liberty, Toole73 min
Jun 5, 1:48 PM MDTWinter Weather AdvisoryTFX23 hr
Jun 5, 2:24 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementTFXBroadwater51 min
Jun 5, 3:05 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTFXBroadwater, Cascade, Lewis and Clark, Meagher40 min
Jun 5, 3:33 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementTFXLewis and Clark42 min
Jun 5, 3:38 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTFXMeagher52 min
Jun 5, 3:49 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTFXLewis and Clark13 min
Jun 5, 3:49 PM MDTTornado WarningTFXMeagher26 min
Jun 5, 3:57 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementTFXBroadwater48 min
Jun 5, 4:01 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTFXLewis and Clark, Teton74 min
Jun 5, 4:13 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementTFXCascade47 min
Jun 5, 4:21 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementTFXMeagher39 min
Jun 5, 4:25 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementTFXCascade50 min
Jun 5, 4:27 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementTFXMeagher48 min
Jun 5, 4:40 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementTFXBroadwater50 min
Jun 5, 4:45 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementTFXLewis and Clark45 min
Jun 5, 4:58 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementTFXJefferson47 min
Jun 5, 4:59 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTFXLewis and Clark, Teton61 min
Jun 5, 5:04 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementTFXCascade41 min
Jun 5, 5:13 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTFXJudith Basin, Meagher25 min
Jun 5, 5:37 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTFXFergus, Judith Basin53 min
Jun 5, 5:40 PM MDTTornado WarningTFXFergus, Judith Basin35 min
Jun 5, 5:53 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementTFXSilver Bow52 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Montana, 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.