Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 1993

Tornado Warning 9, NWS Topeka, KS

May 6, 1993Douglas County, Shawnee County, Kansas

NWS Topeka, KS issued this tornado warning at May 6, 1993, 7:54 PM CDT for Douglas County, Shawnee County, Kansas. It was in force for 19 min.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
May 6, 1993, 7:54 PM CDT (00:54 UTC)
Expired
May 6, 1993, 8:13 PM CDT
In force
19 min
Issued by
NWS Topeka, KS
Area
Whole counties

Counties Douglas County, KS, Shawnee County, KS

The nearest sounding before it

Topeka, KS (KTOP), launched 00:00Z, 0.9 hours before the alert went out and 11 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, Topeka, KS at 00:00Z on 1993-05-07Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1824 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Topeka, KS at 00:00Z on 1993-05-07The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 367 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
1824 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-7 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
702 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
54 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
367 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
535 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
5.3
Supercell composite
19.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
TTAA00 KTOP 070055
TORTOP
KSC177-070130-
 
BULLETIN - EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
754 PM CDT THU MAY 6 1993
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TOPEKA HAS ISSUED A
TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL  830 PM CDT
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATION...
 
IN EAST CENTRAL KANSAS
 
   ...SOUTHERN SHAWNEE COUNTY
 
AT 754PM STORM SPOTTERS REPORTED A DEVELOPING TORNADO ABOUT 10 MILES
SOUTHWEST OF TOPEKA MOVING TO NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH.
 
THIS WARNING INCLUDES THE CITY OF TOPEKA. PEOPLE IN THE SOUTHERN
HALF OF SHAWNEE COUNTY INCLUDING THE CITY OF TOPEKA SHOULD TAKE
COVER NOW IN A BASEMENT.
 
 
 
 
 
IF YOU ARE CAUGHT IN THE PATH OF A TORNADO...LEAVE THE CAR AND GO
TO A STRONG BUILDING. DO NOT USE YOUR CAR TO TRY TO OUTRUN A
TORNADO.  CARS ARE EASILY TOSSED AROUND BY TORNADO WINDS. IF NO
STRUCTURE IS NEARBY...SEEK SHELTER IN A DITCH OR LOW SPOT.
1 follow-up statement
000 
TTAA00 KTOP 070056 RRA
TORTOP
KSC045-070130-
 
BULLETIN - EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
754 PM CDT THU MAY 6 1993
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TOPEKA HAS ISSUED A
TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL  830 PM CDT
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATION...
 
IN EAST CENTRAL KANSAS
 
   ...NORTHERN DOUGLAS COUNTY
 
STORM SPOTTERS REPORTED...AND WEATHER RADARS INDICATED A TORNADO JUST
WEST OF LAWRENCE NEAR CLINTON LAKE MOVING TO THE NORTHEAST AT 25 MILES
AN HOUR.
 
THIS STORM WILL MOVE THROUGH THE AREA ALONG THE WEST EDGE OF LAWRENCE
TOWARD THE KANSAS TURNPIKE.
 
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.
 
 
 
&

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, May 6, 4:35 PM CDT, 3 hours 19 minutes before
KSZ013-014-015-016-062230-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
434 PM CDT THU MAY 6 1993

...THUNDERSTORMS STRENGTHEN ACROSS NORTHEAST KANSAS...

AT 425 PM A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDED FROM MARYSVILLE
TO MANHATTAN TO 40 MILES NORTHEAST OF WICHITA. STRONGER
STORMS WERE 22 MILES SOUTHWEST OF EMPORIA AND IN THE MANHATTAN
AREA.

THE STRONGEST STORM WILL MOVE INTO WESTERN LYON COUNTY AND REACH
THE AMERICUS AND ADMIRE AREAS BY 530 PM.  VERY HEAVY RAIN...WIND
GUSTS TO 50 MPH AND SMALL HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.

BY 530 PM THE LINE OF STORMS WILL EXTEND FROM SENECA TO ST MARYS TO
EMPORIA.

A TORNADO WATCH CONTINUES UNTIL 9 PM.

LAPLANTE
Special weather statement, May 6, 6:31 PM CDT, 1 hour 23 minutes before
KSZ007-008-010-011-070030-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONCORDIA KS
631 PM CDT THU MAY 6 1993

...TORNADO WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL AND NORTHCENTRAL
KANSAS...

AT 630 PM CDT AN AREA OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WAS LOCATED 30 MILES
NORTH OF CONCORDIA ALONG THE KANSAS NEBRASKA BORDER...FROM NEAR CUBA TO
MAHASKA.  THIS AREA WAS MOVING TO THE NORTHEAST AT 25 MILES AN HOUR.
SMALL HAIL...HEAVY RAIN AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE FROM THIS
STORM.  NO OTHER THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY WAS OCCURING IN CENTRAL OR
NORTHCENTRAL KANSAS.

URBAN
Special weather statement, May 6, 6:31 PM CDT, 1 hour 23 minutes before
KSZ007-008-010-011-070030-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONCORDIA KS
631 PM CDT THU MAY 6 1993

...TORNADO WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL AND NORTHCENTRAL
KANSAS...

AT 630 PM CDT AN AREA OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WAS LOCATED 30 MILES
NORTH OF CONCORDIA ALONG THE KANSAS NEBRASKA BORDER...FROM NEAR CUBA TO
MAHASKA.  THIS AREA WAS MOVING TO THE NORTHEAST AT 25 MILES AN HOUR.
SMALL HAIL...HEAVY RAIN AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE FROM THIS
STORM.  NO OTHER THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY WAS OCCURING IN CENTRAL OR
NORTHCENTRAL KANSAS.

URBAN
Special weather statement, May 6, 6:49 PM CDT, 1 hour 5 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
647 PM CDT THU MAY 6 1993

TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 205 HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR PART OF KANSAS.
THE WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...

...NORTHWEST...
DECATUR         GRAHAM          NORTON

...NORTH CENTRAL...
PHILLIPS        WASHINGTON

...WEST CENTRAL...
TREGO

...CENTRAL...
DICKINSON       ELLIS           ELLSWORTH

THE FOLLOWING CITIES ARE NO LONGER INCLUDED IN THE TORNADO WATCH

HAYS            HILL CITY

LABAS..2349Z
Special weather statement, May 6, 6:54 PM CDT, 1 hour before
KSZ007-008-010-011-070100-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONCORDIA KS
755 PM CDT THU MAY 6 1993

...TORNADO WATCH FOR CENTRAL AND NORTHCENTRAL KANSAS HAS BEEN CANCELLED...

THE TORNADO WATCH FOR CENTRAL AND NORTHCENTRAL KANSAS HAS BEEN
CANCELLED.  SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY IS STILL POSSIBLE ACROSS
THE AREA THIS EVENING...HOWEVER NO SEVERE WEATHER IS EXPECTED.

URBAN
Special weather statement, May 6, 7:30 PM CDT, 24 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
727 PM CDT THU MAY 6 1993

TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 206 HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR PART OF KANSAS.
THE WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...

...NORTHEAST...
MARSHALL        POTTAWATOMIE    RILEY

...EAST CENTRAL...
CHASE           COFFEY          GEARY           MORRIS

...SOUTHEAST...
ALLEN           BOURBON         BUTLER          CHAUTAUQUA
CHEROKEE        COWLEY          CRAWFORD        ELK
GREENWOOD       LABETTE         MONTGOMERY      NEOSHO
WILSON          WOODSON

THE FOLLOWING CITIES ARE NO LONGER INCLUDED IN THE TORNADO
WATCH...

ARKANSAS CITY   CHANUTE         EL DORADO       HOWARD
INDEPENDENCE    JUNCTION CITY   MANHATTAN       PARSONS
PITTSBURG

0029Z...LABAS

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 6, 7:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPFranklin30 min
May 6, 7:30 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPAtchison43 min
May 6, 8:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPMarshall46 min
May 7, 4:21 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPBarton54 min
May 7, 4:37 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPRussell68 min
May 7, 4:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPOsborne50 min
May 7, 5:13 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPRussell32 min
May 7, 5:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPBarton48 min
May 7, 5:40 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPBarton35 min
May 7, 5:43 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPSmith47 min
May 7, 6:00 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPLincoln, Russell45 min
May 7, 6:13 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPBarton32 min
May 7, 6:41 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPLincoln, Mitchell49 min
May 7, 6:47 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPSmith28 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.