Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 9, NWS Raleigh, NC

March 18, 2021Franklin County, Vance County, Warren County, North Carolina

NWS Raleigh, NC issued this tornado warning at Mar 18, 2021, 7:25 PM EDT for Franklin County, Vance County, Warren County, North Carolina. It was in force for 47 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
Mar 18, 2021, 7:25 PM EDT (23:25 UTC)
Expired
Mar 18, 2021, 8:12 PM EDT
In force
47 min
Issued by
NWS Raleigh, NC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

Counties Franklin County, NC, Vance County, NC, Warren County, NC

The radar

The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 74 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:23 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
Mar 18, 4:45 PM EDTTornado WatchSPC4 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 11.4 hours before the alert went out and 155 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 2021-03-18Temperature 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, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 12:00Z on 2021-03-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 470 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
486 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
67 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
470 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
562 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

102 
WFUS52 KRAH 182325
TORRAH
NCC069-181-185-190030-
/O.NEW.KRAH.TO.W.0009.210318T2325Z-210319T0030Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
725 PM EDT Thu Mar 18 2021

The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southern Vance County in central North Carolina...
  Southern Warren County in central North Carolina...
  Northern Franklin County in central North Carolina...

* Until 830 PM EDT.
    
* At 724 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Kittrell, or near Oxford, moving east at 55 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* This dangerous storm will be near...
  Henderson around 730 PM EDT.
  Littleton around 805 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Arcola, Afton, South Henderson, Ingleside and Centerville.

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 outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3645 7792 3638 7791 3630 7794 3618 7802
      3613 7852 3617 7850 3618 7851 3630 7851
TIME...MOT...LOC 2324Z 251DEG 47KT 3626 7851 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

Leins
5 follow-up statements
087 
WWUS52 KRAH 182339
SVSRAH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
739 PM EDT Thu Mar 18 2021

NCC069-181-185-190030-
/O.CON.KRAH.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-210319T0030Z/
Vance NC-Warren NC-Franklin NC-
739 PM EDT Thu Mar 18 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN VANCE...SOUTHERN WARREN AND NORTHERN FRANKLIN
COUNTIES...
    
At 738 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Henderson, moving east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

This dangerous storm will be near...
  Littleton around 805 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Arcola, Afton, South Henderson, Ingleside and Centerville.

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 outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3645 7792 3638 7791 3630 7794 3618 7802
      3615 7843 3617 7846 3621 7846 3632 7841
TIME...MOT...LOC 2338Z 249DEG 45KT 3632 7834 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

Leins
052 
WWUS52 KRAH 182347
SVSRAH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
747 PM EDT Thu Mar 18 2021

NCC181-182356-
/O.CAN.KRAH.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-210319T0030Z/
Vance NC-
747 PM EDT Thu Mar 18 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN VANCE COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for central North
Carolina.

LAT...LON 3645 7792 3638 7791 3630 7794 3618 7802
      3618 7838 3621 7838 3627 7828 3636 7826
TIME...MOT...LOC 2346Z 251DEG 47KT 3636 7820 

$$

NCC069-185-190030-
/O.CON.KRAH.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-210319T0030Z/
Warren NC-Franklin NC-
747 PM EDT Thu Mar 18 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM EDT FOR SOUTHERN
WARREN AND NORTHEASTERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES...
    
At 746 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Warrenton, moving east at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

This dangerous storm will be near...
  Littleton around 805 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Arcola, Afton, Centerville and Ingleside.

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 outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3645 7792 3638 7791 3630 7794 3618 7802
      3618 7838 3621 7838 3627 7828 3636 7826
TIME...MOT...LOC 2346Z 251DEG 47KT 3636 7820 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

Leins
756 
WWUS52 KRAH 182359 RRA
SVSRAH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
759 PM EDT Thu Mar 18 2021

NCC069-190009-
/O.CAN.KRAH.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-210319T0030Z/
Franklin NC-
759 PM EDT Thu Mar 18 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN FRANKLIN COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for central North
Carolina.

LAT...LON 3645 7792 3638 7791 3630 7794 3628 7805
      3626 7814 3626 7822 3627 7825 3636 7826
TIME...MOT...LOC 2359Z 250DEG 44KT 3640 7805 

$$

NCC185-190030-
/O.CON.KRAH.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-210319T0030Z/
Warren NC-
759 PM EDT Thu Mar 18 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM EDT FOR CENTRAL
WARREN COUNTY...
    
At 759 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Warrenton, moving east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

This dangerous storm will be near...
  Littleton around 810 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Afton.

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 outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3645 7792 3638 7791 3630 7794 3628 7805
      3626 7814 3626 7822 3627 7825 3636 7826
TIME...MOT...LOC 2359Z 250DEG 44KT 3640 7805 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

Leins
880 
WWUS52 KRAH 190007
SVSRAH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
807 PM EDT Thu Mar 18 2021

NCC185-190030-
/O.CON.KRAH.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-210319T0030Z/
Warren NC-
807 PM EDT Thu Mar 18 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM EDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL WARREN COUNTY...
    
At 807 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Littleton, or 10 miles east of Warrenton, moving
east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
east central Warren County.

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 outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3645 7792 3638 7791 3632 7795 3631 7800
      3632 7810 3639 7814
TIME...MOT...LOC 0007Z 250DEG 45KT 3642 7797 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

Leins
869 
WWUS52 KRAH 190012
SVSRAH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
812 PM EDT Thu Mar 18 2021

NCC185-190022-
/O.CAN.KRAH.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-210319T0030Z/
Warren NC-
812 PM EDT Thu Mar 18 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL WARREN COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has weakened. 
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for central North
Carolina.

LAT...LON 3645 7792 3638 7791 3632 7795 3631 7800
      3632 7810 3639 7814
TIME...MOT...LOC 0010Z 251DEG 47KT 3644 7789 

$$

Leins

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 18, 3:55 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHDavidson, Forsyth65 min
Mar 18, 4:41 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHDavidson, Forsyth, Guilford31 min
Mar 18, 4:54 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHGuilford, Randolph66 min
Mar 18, 5:07 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHHalifax23 min
Mar 18, 5:13 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHAlamance, Chatham, Davidson, Guilford, Randolph62 min
Mar 18, 5:34 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHAlamance, Guilford26 min
Mar 18, 5:37 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHMontgomery, Randolph, Stanly38 min
Mar 18, 5:58 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHAlamance, Durham, Orange, Person62 min
Mar 18, 6:07 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHAnson, Richmond38 min
Mar 18, 6:09 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHAlamance, Orange66 min
Mar 18, 6:13 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHMontgomery, Moore, Randolph, Stanly47 min
Mar 18, 6:39 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHDurham, Orange34 min
Mar 18, 6:41 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHGranville34 min
Mar 18, 6:45 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHAnson, Hoke, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond45 min
Mar 18, 6:57 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHGranville48 min
Mar 18, 6:59 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHAlamance, Chatham, Orange, Randolph21 min
Mar 18, 7:11 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHHalifax, Vance, Warren54 min
Mar 18, 7:12 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHDurham, Orange63 min
Mar 18, 7:30 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHCumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Moore45 min
Mar 18, 7:41 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHHoke, Scotland64 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in North Carolina, 2021Every tornado warning in 2021Tornadoes in 2021

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.