Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 1993

Tornado Warning 45, NWS Dodge City, KS

September 18, 1993Finney County, Kansas

NWS Dodge City, KS issued this tornado warning at Sep 18, 1993, 9:14 PM CDT for Finney County, Kansas. It was in force for 31 min.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Sep 18, 1993, 9:14 PM CDT (02:14 UTC)
Expired
Sep 18, 1993, 9:45 PM CDT
In force
31 min
Issued by
NWS Dodge City, KS
Area
Whole counties

County Finney County, KS

The radar

The Dodge City radar (KDDC), 74 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:13 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 nearest sounding before it

Dodge City, (KDDC), launched 00:00Z, 2.2 hours before the alert went out and 80 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, Dodge City, at 00:00Z on 1993-09-19Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1042 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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, Dodge City, at 00:00Z on 1993-09-19The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 123 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
1042 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-20 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1575 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
57 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
123 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
223 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.5
Supercell composite
5.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
TTAA00 KDDC 190215
TORDDC
KSC055-190245-
 
BULLETIN - EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
914 PM CDT SAT SEP 18 1993
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DODGE CITY HAS ISSUED A
TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL  945 PM CDT
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATION...
 
IN SOUTHWEST KANSAS
 
   ...NORTHERN FINNEY COUNTY
 
AT 912 PM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THAT THE TORNADO IN WESTERN
FINNEY COUNTY HAS REFORMED 12 MILES NORTH OF GARDEN CITY. THIS REDUCES
THE THREAT TO GARDEN CITY ITSELF...BUT LARGE HAIL AND STRONG WINDS ARE
STILL LIKELY IN THE CITY.
 
THE TORNADO WILL BE MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH OVER OPEN COUNTRY OF
NORTHERN FINNEY COUNTY THROUGH 930 PM CDT. PERSONS IN NORTHERN FINNEY
COUNTY SHOULD FIND SAFE SHELTER IN A STURDY BUILDING UNTIL THE STORM
PASSES.
 
THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS STORM.  ACT QUICKLY.  IF YOU ARE IN THE
PATH OF THIS TORNADO MOVE TO A SHELTER BELOW GROUND IF AVAILABLE.
OTHERWISE... GO TO A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR
POSSIBLE.  AVOID WINDOWS.  ABANDON CARS AND MOBILE HOMES FOR A
STURDIER BUILDING OR GET INTO A DITCH OR CULVERT.
 
IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE...SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARBY REINFORCED
BUILDING.  AS A LAST RESORT...SEEK SHELTER IN A CULVERT...DITCH
OR LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.
 
LETRO

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Sep 18, 6:37 PM CDT, 2 hours 37 minutes before
KSZ002-003-005-006-008-009-190045-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
637 PM CDT SAT SEP 18 1993

...OTHER RADIDLY DEVELOPING THUNDERSTORMS WERE DEVELOPING...

AT 634 PM...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED RAPIDLY DEVELOPING THUNDERSTORMS 30
MILES NORTH OF DODGE CITY IN NORTHWEST HODGEMAN COUNTY...AND ALSO IN
SOUTHERN GRAY COUNTY ABOUT 25 MILES SOUTHWEST OF DODGE CITY.

THESE STORMS WERE MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35 TO 40 MILES AN HOUR AND ARE
CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HAIL...HEAVY RAIN...GUSTY WIND IN EXCESS OF 50
MILES AN HOUR AND DEADLY LIGHTNING.

STORMS COULD MOVE INTO THE DODGE CITY AREA BY 730 PM.

REMEMBER...A TORANADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL COUNTIES WEST OF A
MEDICINE LODGE TO GREAT BEND LINE.  IF THREATENING WEATHER
APPROCHES...MOVE INDOORS TO SAFE SHELTER AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

HUTTON
Special weather statement, Sep 18, 6:37 PM CDT, 2 hours 37 minutes before
KSZ002-003-005-006-008-009-190045-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
637 PM CDT SAT SEP 18 1993

...OTHER RADIDLY DEVELOPING THUNDERSTORMS WERE DEVELOPING...

AT 634 PM...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED RAPIDLY DEVELOPING THUNDERSTORMS 30
MILES NORTH OF DODGE CITY IN NORTHWEST HODGEMAN COUNTY...AND ALSO IN
SOUTHERN GRAY COUNTY ABOUT 25 MILES SOUTHWEST OF DODGE CITY.

THESE STORMS WERE MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35 TO 40 MILES AN HOUR AND ARE
CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HAIL...HEAVY RAIN...GUSTY WIND IN EXCESS OF 50
MILES AN HOUR AND DEADLY LIGHTNING.

STORMS COULD MOVE INTO THE DODGE CITY AREA BY 730 PM.

REMEMBER...A TORANADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL COUNTIES WEST OF A
MEDICINE LODGE TO GREAT BEND LINE.  IF THREATENING WEATHER
APPROCHES...MOVE INDOORS TO SAFE SHELTER AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

HUTTON
Special weather statement, Sep 18, 7:20 PM CDT, 1 hour 54 minutes before
KSC051-190115-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
720 PM CDT SAT SEP 18 1993

AT 715 PM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING IN
SOUTHWEST ELLIS COUNTY. THE STRONGEST STORM WAS 15 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
HAYS...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

THIS STORM WILL AFFECT THE HAYS AREA BY 745 PM CDT...AND COULD PRODUCE
HAIL...STRONG WINDS...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING.

PERSONS IN HAYS AND YOCEMENTO SHOULD BE PREPARED TO SEEK SAFE SHELTER IN
A STURDY BUILDING WHEN THESE STORMS MOVE IN...AND REMAIN UNTIL THE
STORMS PASS.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF WESTERN KANSAS UNTIL 1100
PM CDT.

LETRO
Special weather statement, Sep 18, 7:20 PM CDT, 1 hour 54 minutes before
KSC051-190115-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
720 PM CDT SAT SEP 18 1993

AT 715 PM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING IN
SOUTHWEST ELLIS COUNTY. THE STRONGEST STORM WAS 15 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
HAYS...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

THIS STORM WILL AFFECT THE HAYS AREA BY 745 PM CDT...AND COULD PRODUCE
HAIL...STRONG WINDS...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING.

PERSONS IN HAYS AND YOCEMENTO SHOULD BE PREPARED TO SEEK SAFE SHELTER IN
A STURDY BUILDING WHEN THESE STORMS MOVE IN...AND REMAIN UNTIL THE
STORMS PASS.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF WESTERN KANSAS UNTIL 1100
PM CDT.

LETRO
Special weather statement, Sep 18, 7:53 PM CDT, 1 hour 21 minutes before
KSZ003-190200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
753 PM CDT SAT SEP 18 1993

AT 750 PM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 17 MILES
WEST OF LIBERAL...INTENSIFYING RAPIDLY. THE STORM IS MOVING NORTHEAST AT
40 MPH AND WILL BE NEAR WOODS IN EASTERN STEVENS COUNTY BY 800 PM
CDT...700 PM MDT.

THIS STORM WILL PRODUCE HAIL...STRONG GUSTY WINDS...AND DANGEROUS
LIGHTNING AS IT MOVES THROUGH. IF YOU'RE IN THE PATH OF THE STORM...YOU
SHOULD FIND SAFE SHELTER IN A STURDY BUILDING AND STAY THERE UNTIL THE
STORM PASSES.

A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR WESTERN KANSAS UNTIL 11 PM CDT...10 PM
MDT.

LETRO
Special weather statement, Sep 18, 7:53 PM CDT, 1 hour 21 minutes before
KSZ003-190200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
753 PM CDT SAT SEP 18 1993

AT 750 PM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 17 MILES
WEST OF LIBERAL...INTENSIFYING RAPIDLY. THE STORM IS MOVING NORTHEAST AT
40 MPH AND WILL BE NEAR WOODS IN EASTERN STEVENS COUNTY BY 800 PM
CDT...700 PM MDT.

THIS STORM WILL PRODUCE HAIL...STRONG GUSTY WINDS...AND DANGEROUS
LIGHTNING AS IT MOVES THROUGH. IF YOU'RE IN THE PATH OF THE STORM...YOU
SHOULD FIND SAFE SHELTER IN A STURDY BUILDING AND STAY THERE UNTIL THE
STORM PASSES.

A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR WESTERN KANSAS UNTIL 11 PM CDT...10 PM
MDT.

LETRO

The office that day

Everything else NWS Dodge City, KS issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 18, 7:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCFord, Gray, Hodgeman27 min
Sep 18, 7:06 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCNess39 min
Sep 18, 7:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCFinney, Gray30 min
Sep 18, 7:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCEllis, Trego35 min
Sep 18, 7:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCHamilton26 min
Sep 18, 7:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCFinney, Lane, Ness31 min
Sep 18, 7:57 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCSeward, Stevens33 min
Sep 18, 8:01 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCHamilton, Kearny29 min
Sep 18, 8:01 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCFinney, Scott29 min
Sep 18, 8:07 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCLane, Ness38 min
Sep 18, 8:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCFinney, Gray, Haskell15 min
Sep 18, 8:29 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCHaskell, Meade, Seward31 min
Sep 18, 8:39 PM CDTTornado WarningDDCFinney36 min
Sep 18, 8:39 PM CDTTornado WarningDDCKearny19 min
Sep 18, 8:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCLane, Scott33 min
Sep 18, 8:48 PM CDTTornado WarningDDCMeade27 min
Sep 18, 8:48 PM CDTTornado WarningDDCSeward16 min
Sep 18, 9:18 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCFord, Gray27 min
Sep 18, 9:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCGrant, Kearny32 min
Sep 18, 9:43 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCFord32 min
Sep 18, 10:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCHamilton, Kearny, Stanton26 min
Sep 18, 10:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCFinney37 min
Sep 18, 10:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCFord22 min
Sep 18, 10:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCNess33 min
Sep 18, 10:49 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCFinney, Gray26 min
Sep 18, 11:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCFinney, Hodgeman26 min
Sep 18, 11:20 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCNess25 min
Sep 19, 12:08 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCRush37 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Kansas, 1993Every tornado warning in 1993Tornadoes in 1993

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.