Alert archive / Nebraska / Tornado Warnings in 2003

Tornado Warning 10, NWS Hastings, NE

May 4, 2003Clay County, Nebraska

NWS Hastings, NE issued this tornado warning at May 4, 2003, 1:46 PM CDT for Clay County, Nebraska. It was in force for 59 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: May 4, 2003, 1:46 PM CDT (18:46 UTC)
Expired: May 4, 2003, 2:45 PM CDT
In force: 59 min
Issued by: NWS Hastings, NE
Area: Counties, with a storm outline in the text

County Clay County, NE

The radar

The Grand Island radar (KUEX), 36 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:47 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
May 4, 11:40 AM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Omaha, NE (KOAX), launched 12:00Z, 6.8 hours before the alert went out and 170 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 558 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 49 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 375 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 509 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.

641 
WFUS53 KGID 041846
TORGID
NEC035-041945-

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
145 PM CDT SUN MAY 4 2003

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HASTINGS HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  CLAY COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA

* UNTIL 245 PM CDT

* AT 142 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION AND POTENTIAL TORNADO 8
  MILES WEST OF GLENVIL...OR ABOUT 4 MILES SOUTH OF HASTINGS...MOVING
  EAST AT 25 MPH. THIS SEVERE STORM COULD PRODUCE A TORNADO AT ANY
  TIME.

* THIS SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND POTENTIAL TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  GLENVIL AT 200 PM CDT
  HARVARD AT 220 PM CDT
  CLAY CENTER AT 225 PM CDT
  SARONVILLE AT 240 PM CDT
  SUTTON AT 245 PM CDT

THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS STORM PEOPLE IN NORTHERN CLAY COUNTY 
SHOULD TAKE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY IN A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM 
ON THE LOWEST FLOOR. DAMAGING WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH AND 
LARGE HAIL TO THE SIZE OF GOLFBALLS IS ALSO POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.

IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE...SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARBY BUILDING. AS A
LAST RESORT...SEEK SHELTER IN A DITCH OR LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD
WITH YOUR HANDS.

LAT...LON 4044 9817 4045 9827 4064 9826 4067 9785
          4044 9784
$$
NNNN

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.

NWS Hastings, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at May 4, 2:56 AM CDT, 10 hours 50 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 4, 2:56 AM CDT, 10 hours 50 minutes before

SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA/NORTH CENTRAL KANSAS FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
256 AM CDT SUN MAY 4 2003

THUNDERSTORMS ON GOING IN FORECAST AREA ASSOCIATED WITH UPPER SYSTEM
MOVING THROUGH CENTRAL PLAINS.  THIS WILL KEEP STORMS IN AREA AT
LEAST THROUGH THE MORNING HOURS.  SURFACE SYSTEM STILL TO OUR WEST
AND GOOD MOISTURE CONTINUES TO MOVE NORTHWARD THROUGH CENTRAL
KANSAS.  WOULD EXPECT BEST CHANCES FOR STORMS TO BE ALONG STATE LINE
WHERE BOUNDARY FROM AM STORMS TO SET UP.

SYSTEM TO BE EAST OF THE AREA BY LATE AFTERNOON TAKING PRECIP WITH
IT.  CLOUDS TO REMAIN IN NORTHERN PORTION OF AREA AS THEY WRAP
AROUND UPPER SYSTEM.  SOUTHERN AREAS TO BE PARTLY CLOUDY.

NEXT CHANCES FOR PRECIP COMES TOWARD THE END OF THE WEEK AS ANOTHER
ACTIVE PERIOD SETTING UP.

.GID...NONE.

KISNER

Hazardous weather outlook, May 4, 11:23 AM CDT, 2 hours 23 minutes before

KSZ005>007-017>019-NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087-051200-

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
1123 AM CDT SUN MAY 4 2003

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA AND
PARTS OF NORTH CENTRAL KANSAS.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO REDEVELOP ALONG AND EAST OF
THE U S 281 CORRIDOR TOWARD OR SHORTLY AFTER THE NOON HOUR. SOME OF
THESE STORMS COULD BECOME SEVERE WITH VERY LARGE HAIL AND ISOLATED
DAMAGING WINDS POSSIBLE. IN ADDITION...AN ISOLATED TORNADO IS
POSSIBLE ALONG AND SOUTH OF A FRANKLIN TO YORK LINE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

MORE THUNDERSTORMS ARE FORECAST FOR THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
SATURDAY AS ANOTHER STORM SYSTEM MOVES INTO THE CENTRAL PLAINS.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

STORM SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON EAST
OF U S HIGHWAY 281.

T

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 4, 1:32 PM CDT, 14 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
132 PM CDT SUN MAY 04 2003

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0129 PM    3 S PROSSER               NE    1 INCH HAIL
05/04/03   ADAMS                           REPORTED BY HAYLAND
                                           ELEVATOR WHICH IS SOUTH
                                           OF PROSSER AND BETWEEN
                                           PROSSER AND JUNIATA.

Local storm report, May 4, 1:36 PM CDT, 10 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
136 PM CDT SUN MAY 04 2003

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0134 PM    HOLDREGE                  NE    1 INCH HAIL
05/04/03   PHELPS

Local storm report, May 4, 1:40 PM CDT, 6 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
140 PM CDT SUN MAY 04 2003

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0133 PM    DANNEBROG                 NE    .75 INCH HAIL
05/04/03   HOWARD                          REPORTED BY SPOTTER
                                           ALONG HALL AND HOWARD
                                           COUNTY LINES.

Local storm report, May 4, 1:42 PM CDT, 4 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
142 PM CDT SUN MAY 04 2003

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0134 PM    AXTELL                    NE    .75 INCH HAIL
05/04/03   KEARNEY

Local storm report, May 4, 1:43 PM CDT, 3 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
143 PM CDT SUN MAY 04 2003

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0138 PM    SILVER CREEK              NE    1.75 INCH HAIL
05/04/03   MERRICK                         PEA TO GOLFBALL SIZED
                                           HAIL OCCURRED IN SILVER
                                           CREEK.

Local storm report, May 4, 1:44 PM CDT, 2 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
144 PM CDT SUN MAY 04 2003

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0138 PM    3 NE HASTINGS             NE    1 INCH HAIL
05/04/03   ADAMS

The office that day

Everything else NWS Hastings, NE issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 4, 1:16 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Buffalo, Hall	44 min
May 4, 1:28 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Sherman	62 min
May 4, 1:30 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Sherman	30 min
May 4, 1:33 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Howard	27 min
May 4, 1:42 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Hamilton, Merrick	48 min
May 4, 1:49 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Valley	56 min
May 4, 1:57 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Greeley, Howard, Nance	63 min
May 4, 2:03 AM CDT	Tornado Warning	GID	Howard	42 min
May 4, 2:24 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Merrick	51 min
May 4, 2:29 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Polk	61 min
May 4, 5:51 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Sherman	39 min
May 4, 11:18 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Hall	42 min
May 4, 11:35 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Phelps	55 min
May 4, 11:38 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Buffalo	52 min
May 4, 11:52 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Hamilton	53 min
May 4, 11:59 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Howard	61 min
May 4, 12:01 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Merrick	59 min
May 4, 12:28 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Kearney	62 min
May 4, 12:31 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Buffalo	59 min
May 4, 12:58 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Phelps	62 min
May 4, 1:01 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Hall, Howard	64 min
May 4, 1:04 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Merrick	26 min
May 4, 1:11 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Nance	49 min
May 4, 1:27 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	GID	Adams	48 min
May 4, 1:39 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Kearney	66 min
May 4, 1:57 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Hamilton	63 min
May 4, 2:27 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Merrick	48 min
May 4, 2:28 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	York	62 min
May 4, 2:31 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GID	Polk	59 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Nebraska, 2003 Every tornado warning in 2003 Tornadoes in 2003

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.