Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 1993

Tornado Warning 40, NWS Topeka, KS

July 4, 1993Ellsworth County, Kansas

NWS Topeka, KS issued this tornado warning at Jul 4, 1993, 7:47 PM CDT for Ellsworth County, Kansas. It was in force for 43 min.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jul 4, 1993, 7:47 PM CDT (00:47 UTC)
Expired
Jul 4, 1993, 8:30 PM CDT
In force
43 min
Issued by
NWS Topeka, KS
Area
Whole counties

County Ellsworth County, KS

The nearest sounding before it

Dodge City, (KDDC), launched 00:00Z, 0.8 hours before the alert went out and 180 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 1993-07-05Temperature 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°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Dodge City, at 00:00Z on 1993-07-05The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 18 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
3088 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
48 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
18 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
94 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.

000 
TTAA00 KCNK 050048
TORCNK
KSC053-050130-
 
BULLETIN - EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONCORDIA KS
747 PM CDT SUN JUL 4 1993
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CONCORDIA HAS ISSUED A
TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL  830 PM CDT
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATION...
 
IN CENTRAL KANSAS
 
   ...ELLSWORTH COUNTY
 
AT 747 PM ELLSWORTH COUNTY SHERIFF REPORTS A TORNADO ON THE GROUND JUST
SOUTH OF HOLYROOD MOVING TO THE EAST AT 30 MPH.THIS STORM WILL BE IN THE
LORRAINE AREA BY 8 PM CDT.
 
 
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.
 
PACKETT

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, Jul 4, 6:09 PM CDT, 1 hour 38 minutes before
KSZ007-008-010-011-042330-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONCORDIA KS
610 PM CDT SUN JUL 4 1993

...TORNADO WATCH #592 IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF CENTRAL AND NORTHCENTRAL
KANSAS EXCEPT FOR DICKENSON COUNTY UNTIL 11 PM CDT...

AT 610 PM CDT RADAR CONTINUES TO SHOW THUNDERSTORMS INTENSIFYING RAPIDLY
OVER THE REGION.  TWO STRONG STORMS WERE DEVELOPING NEAR BARNARD OR
35 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CONCORDIA AND JUST TO THE NORTH OF ELLSWORTH.
THESE STORMS COULD QUICKLY BECOME SEVERE AND PERSONS OVER ELLSWORTH AND
LINCOLN AND SOUTHEAST MITCHELL COUNTY SHOULD KEEP ALERT TO RAPIDLY
CHANGING WEATHER SITUATIONS AND LISTEN FOR POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

HEAVY RAINS...FREQUENT LIGHTNING AND BRIEF GUSTY WINDS ARE POSSIBLE WITH
THE STRONGER STORMS.  PERSONS ACROSS THE REGION SHOULD KEEP INFORMED ON
THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AND BE
PREPARED TO TAKE NECESSARY ACTION IF SEVERE WEATHER THREATENS YOUR AREA.

NOLES

N
Special weather statement, Jul 4, 6:35 PM CDT, 1 hour 12 minutes before
KSZ013>016-050030-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
635 PM CDT SUN JUL 4 1993

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ABOUT TO ENTER NORTHEAST KANSAS...

AT 625PM CDT AN INTENSE STORM AROUND 15 MILES NORTHWEST OF MANHATTAN WAS
ABOUT TO ENTER WESTERN RILEY COUNTY. THIS STORM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO
PRODUCE VERY HEAVY RAIN GUSTY WINDS AND HAIL. THE STORM WAS MOVING
NORTHEAST AROUND 30 MPH. THE STORM WAS MOVING TOWARD LEONARDVILLE AND
RANDOLPH AND SHOULD REACH THESE AREAS BEFORE 7PM.

OTHER THUNDERSTORMS WERE DEVELOPING FROM AROUND 10 MILES NORTH OF
MANHATTAN TO JUST EAST OF HIAWATHA.

THESE STORMS WERE MOVING NORTHEAST AROUND 30 MPH.

THUNDERSTORMS SHOULD CONTINUE TO DEVELOP TO THE NORTH OF TOPEKA AND
LAWRENCE THROUGH THE EVENING. THESE STORMS COULD BECOME SEVERE AND
HEAVY RAIN IS LIKELY WITH THE STORMS.

KAYS
Special weather statement, Jul 4, 7:08 PM CDT, 39 minutes before
KSZ007-008-010-011-040100-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONCORDIA KS
708 PM CDT SUN JUL 4 1993

...TORNADO WATCH #592 IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF CENTRAL AND NORTHCENTRAL
KANSAS UNTIL 11 PM AND TORNADO WATCH #593 FOR DICKINSON COUNTY THROUGH
1 AM...

A TORNADO WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED WHICH NOW INCLUDES DICKINSON COUNTY THROUGH
1 AM CDT.  THIS WATCH INCLUDES THE CITY OF ABILENE.

NOLES
Special weather statement, Jul 4, 7:09 PM CDT, 38 minutes before
KSZ007-008-010-011-040100-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONCORDIA KS
708 PM CDT SUN JUL 4 1993

...TORNADO WATCH #592 IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF CENTRAL AND NORTHCENTRAL
KANSAS UNTIL
Special weather statement, Jul 4, 7:32 PM CDT, 15 minutes before
KSZ007-008-010-011-040130-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONCORDIA KS
732 PM CDT SUN JUL 4 1993

...TORNADO WATCH #592 IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF CENTRAL AND NORTHCENTRAL
   KANSAS UNTIL 11 PM AND TORNADO WATCH #593 FOR DICKINSON COUNTY THROUGH
   1 AM...

..THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR RUSSELL COUNTY HAS EXPIRED AND WILL NOT
  BE EXTENDED...

AT 730 PM STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE IN A 25 MILE WIDE BAND TO THE
SOUTH AND EAST OF A LINE FROM WASHINGTON TO RUSSELL.  MOVEMENT OF ALL STORMS
WAS TOWARD THE NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

PERSONS IN THE AFFECTED AREAS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER
CONDITIONS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE SHELTER IF NECESSARY.

PACKETT
Special weather statement, Jul 4, 7:33 PM CDT, 14 minutes before
KSZ007-008-010-011-040130-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONCORDIA KS
732 PM CDT SUN JUL 4 1993

...TORNADO WATCH #592 IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF CENTRAL AND NORTHCENTRAL
   KANSAS UNTIL 11 PM AND TORNADO WATCH #593 FOR DICKINSON COUNTY THROUGH
   1 AM...

..THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR RUSSELL COUNTY HAS EXPIRED AND WILL NOT
  BE EXTENDED...

AT 730 PM STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE IN A 25 MILE WIDE BAND TO THE
SOUTH AND EAST OF A LINE FROM WASHINGTON TO RUSSELL.  MOVEMENT OF ALL STORMS
WAS TOWARD THE NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

PERSONS IN THE AFFECTED AREAS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER
CONDITIONS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE SHELTER IF NECESSARY.

PACKETT

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 4, 7:20 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPBarton40 min
Jul 4, 7:35 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPMarshall, Nemaha33 min
Jul 4, 8:05 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPOsborne, Russell40 min
Jul 4, 8:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPOttawa64 min
Jul 4, 8:14 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPMarshall18 min
Jul 4, 8:31 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPEllsworth44 min
Jul 4, 8:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPRussell31 min
Jul 4, 8:51 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPOttawa3 hr
Jul 4, 8:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPRice65 min
Jul 4, 9:15 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPOttawa3 hr
Jul 4, 9:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPSaline45 min
Jul 4, 9:35 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPRiley4 hr
Jul 4, 9:41 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPSaline3 hr
Jul 4, 9:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPGeary, Riley49 min
Jul 4, 9:43 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPRussell62 min
Jul 4, 9:50 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPLincoln3 hr
Jul 4, 9:56 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPMcPherson, Saline49 min
Jul 4, 9:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPDickinson24 min
Jul 4, 9:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPWabaunsee27 min
Jul 4, 9:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPPottawatomie46 min
Jul 4, 10:28 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPMcPherson, Saline21 min
Jul 4, 10:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPLincoln, Mitchell69 min
Jul 4, 10:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPWabaunsee31 min
Jul 4, 10:47 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPDickinson28 min
Jul 4, 11:16 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPWabaunsee29 min
Jul 4, 11:29 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPShawnee41 min
Jul 4, 11:59 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPClay, Ottawa3 hr
Jul 5, 12:01 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPClay44 min
Jul 5, 12:15 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPRiley39 min
Jul 5, 12:15 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPMarshall45 min
Jul 5, 12:16 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPWashington29 min
Jul 5, 12:31 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPPottawatomie29 min
Jul 5, 12:40 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPLincoln, Saline3 hr
Jul 5, 12:41 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPRiley4 hr
Jul 5, 1:04 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPJackson, Nemaha26 min
Jul 5, 1:30 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPAtchison, Jackson, Jefferson31 min
Jul 5, 1:40 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPCloud4 hr
Jul 5, 2:15 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPMarshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomie3 hr
Jul 5, 2:20 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPCloud4 hr
Jul 5, 3:07 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPOsborne38 min
Jul 5, 3:43 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPMitchell3 hr
Jul 5, 4:05 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPOsborne4 hr
Jul 5, 4:12 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPRepublic4 hr
Jul 5, 5:02 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPJewell4 hr
Jul 5, 5:02 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPWashington4 hr
Jul 5, 5:11 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPMarshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomie3 hr
Jul 5, 5:25 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPRiley3 hr
Jul 5, 5:27 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPRiley3 hr
Jul 5, 5:43 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPCloud4 hr
Jul 5, 8:19 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPRepublic116 min
Jul 5, 8:56 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPWashington3 hr

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.