Alert archive / Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2016

Tornado Warning 3, NWS Baltimore/Washington

February 24, 20165 counties in Virginia

NWS Baltimore/Washington issued this tornado warning at Feb 24, 2016, 5:13 PM EST for 5 counties in Virginia. It was in force for 36 min. 3 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
Feb 24, 2016, 5:13 PM EST (22:13 UTC)
Expired
Feb 24, 2016, 5:49 PM EST
In force
36 min
Issued by
NWS Baltimore/Washington
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties City of Fredericksburg, VA, Culpeper County, VA, Prince William County, VA, Spotsylvania County, VA, Stafford County, VA

The radar

The Sterling radar (KLWX), 52 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:12 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
Feb 24, 5:31 PM ESTTSTM WND DMGWoodbridge, VAREPORTS OF TREES DOWN.
Feb 24, 5:32 PM ESTFUNNEL CLOUD2 E Roseville, VAFUNNEL CLOUD SPOTTED 0.5 MILE NORTH OF THE STAFFORD GOVT COUNTY BLDG.
Feb 24, 5:32 PM ESTTSTM WND DMGFredericksburg, VATREE DOWN AND SEVERAL WIRES DOWN.

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
Feb 24, 3:20 PM ESTTornado WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Washington/Dulle, VA (KIAD), launched 12:00Z, 10.2 hours before the alert went out and 48 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, Washington/Dulle, VA at 12:00Z on 2016-02-24Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2 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, Washington/Dulle, VA at 12:00Z on 2016-02-24The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 526 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
2 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
433 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
40 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
526 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
627 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

720 
WFUS51 KLWX 242213
TORLWX
VAC047-153-177-179-630-242300-
/O.NEW.KLWX.TO.W.0003.160224T2213Z-160224T2300Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
513 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHEASTERN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA...
  STAFFORD COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA...
  THE CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA...
  SOUTHEASTERN CULPEPER COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA...
  NORTHEASTERN SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA...

* UNTIL 600 PM EST
    
* AT 512 PM EST...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM
  CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO. THIS DANGEROUS STORM WAS LOCATED
  NEAR FREDERICKSBURG...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  STAFFORD...FREDERICKSBURG...DALE CITY...WOODBRIDGE...AQUIA CREEK...
  DUMFRIES...MONTCLAIR...TRIANGLE...FALMOUTH...BROOKE...
  GARRISONVILLE...STONES CORNER...BROOKFIELD...SPRING VALLEY...
  HARTWOOD...HOLLY CORNER...AQUIA...ROSEVILLE...ARKENDALE AND
  LEELAND.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW. MOVE TO A BASEMENT OR AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST
FLOOR OF A STURDY BUILDING. AVOID WINDOWS. IF YOU ARE IN A MOBILE
HOME OR OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER AND
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FLYING DEBRIS.

THIS CLUSTER OF THUNDERSTORMS IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING TORNADOES AND
WIDESPREAD SIGNIFICANT WIND DAMAGE. DO NOT WAIT TO SEE OR HEAR THE
TORNADO. FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST
FLOOR OF YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS.

&&

LAT...LON 3835 7764 3870 7734 3864 7723 3863 7725
      3861 7725 3860 7726 3859 7725 3858 7726
      3856 7726 3855 7728 3846 7733 3838 7731
      3826 7746
TIME...MOT...LOC 2212Z 221DEG 47KT 3831 7758 

$$
ADS
2 follow-up statements
984 
WWUS51 KLWX 242234
SVSLWX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
534 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

VAC047-153-177-179-630-242300-
/O.CON.KLWX.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-160224T2300Z/
PRINCE WILLIAM VA-STAFFORD VA-CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG VA-CULPEPER VA-
SPOTSYLVANIA VA-
534 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM EST FOR
SOUTHEASTERN PRINCE WILLIAM...STAFFORD...SOUTHEASTERN CULPEPER AND
NORTHEASTERN SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTIES AND THE CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG...
    
AT 533 PM EST...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING TORNADOES. THESE DANGEROUS STORMS
WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM DUMFRIES TO NEAR
FREDERICKSBURG...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
STAFFORD...FREDERICKSBURG...DALE CITY...WOODBRIDGE...AQUIA CREEK...
DUMFRIES...MONTCLAIR...TRIANGLE...FALMOUTH...BROOKE...
GARRISONVILLE...STONES CORNER...BROOKFIELD...SPRING VALLEY...
HARTWOOD...HOLLY CORNER...AQUIA...ROSEVILLE...ARKENDALE AND LEELAND.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW. MOVE TO A BASEMENT OR AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST
FLOOR OF A STURDY BUILDING. AVOID WINDOWS. IF YOU ARE IN A MOBILE
HOME OR OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER AND
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FLYING DEBRIS.

THIS LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING TORNADOES AND
WIDESPREAD SIGNIFICANT WIND DAMAGE. DO NOT WAIT TO SEE OR HEAR THE
TORNADO. FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST
FLOOR OF YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS.

&&

LAT...LON 3835 7764 3870 7734 3864 7723 3863 7725
      3861 7725 3860 7726 3859 7725 3858 7726
      3856 7726 3855 7728 3846 7733 3838 7731
      3826 7746
TIME...MOT...LOC 2233Z 218DEG 38KT 3857 7736 3834 7752 

$$

ADS
028 
WWUS51 KLWX 242249
SVSLWX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
549 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

VAC047-153-177-179-630-242258-
/O.CAN.KLWX.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-160224T2300Z/
PRINCE WILLIAM VA-STAFFORD VA-CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG VA-CULPEPER VA-
SPOTSYLVANIA VA-
549 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN PRINCE WILLIAM...STAFFORD...
SOUTHEASTERN CULPEPER AND NORTHEASTERN SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTIES AND THE
CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG IS CANCELLED...
            
THE STORMS WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAVE WEAKENED WITH LITTLE
ROTATION...AND NO LONGER APPEAR TO BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.
THEREFORE THE WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED. HOWEVER GUSTY WINDS ARE
STILL POSSIBLE WITH THESE THUNDERSTORMS.

IN ADDITION...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM REDEVELOPMENT REMAINS POSSIBLE...
AND A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM.

LAT...LON 3835 7764 3870 7734 3864 7723 3863 7725
      3861 7725 3860 7726 3859 7725 3858 7726
      3856 7726 3855 7728 3846 7733 3838 7731
      3826 7746
TIME...MOT...LOC 2247Z 221DEG 47KT 3871 7720 3848 7736 

$$

ADS

The office that day

Everything else NWS Baltimore/Washington issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 23, 9:28 PM ESTWind AdvisoryLWXAlbemarle, Amherst, Augusta, Greene, Highland, Madison and 10 more51 hr
Feb 24, 2:04 AM ESTCoastal Flood AdvisoryLWXArlington, Fairfax, City of Alexandria, City of Fairfax, City of Falls Church35 hr
Feb 24, 3:10 PM ESTSpecial Marine WarningLWX95 min
Feb 24, 3:57 PM ESTSpecial Marine WarningLWX48 min
Feb 24, 4:24 PM ESTSpecial Marine WarningLWX96 min
Feb 24, 4:29 PM ESTAreal Flood WarningLWXAlbemarle, Greene, Madison, City of Charlottesville8 hr
Feb 24, 4:30 PM ESTSpecial Marine WarningLWX90 min
Feb 24, 4:34 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXAlbemarle, Culpeper, Madison, Orange, Spotsylvania41 min
Feb 24, 4:50 PM ESTTornado WarningLWXCulpeper, Fauquier, Orange, Spotsylvania, Stafford, City of Fredericksburg25 min
Feb 24, 4:51 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXFairfax, Loudoun39 min
Feb 24, 4:52 PM ESTAreal Flood WarningLWXAlbemarle8 hr
Feb 24, 4:58 PM ESTTornado WarningLWXSpotsylvania, Stafford, City of Fredericksburg47 min
Feb 24, 5:01 PM ESTFlash Flood WarningLWXClarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Loudoun, Warren3 hr
Feb 24, 5:06 PM ESTSpecial Marine WarningLWX39 min
Feb 24, 5:22 PM ESTFlash Flood WarningLWXSpotsylvania, City of Fredericksburg4 hr
Feb 24, 5:29 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXArlington, Fairfax, Prince William, Stafford, City of Alexandria, City of Fairfax and 1 more46 min
Feb 24, 5:39 PM ESTSpecial Marine WarningLWX2 hr
Feb 24, 5:46 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXFairfax, Loudoun59 min
Feb 24, 6:01 PM ESTSpecial Marine WarningLWX119 min
Feb 24, 6:02 PM ESTAreal Flood WarningLWXArlington, Fairfax, Prince William, Stafford, City of Alexandria, City of Fairfax and 1 more8 hr
Feb 24, 6:18 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXKing George, Stafford42 min
Feb 24, 6:36 PM ESTSpecial Marine WarningLWX39 min
Feb 24, 6:46 PM ESTFlash Flood WarningLWXFairfax, City of Alexandria119 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Virginia, 2016Every tornado warning in 2016Tornadoes in 2016

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.