Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2009
Tornado Warning 8, NWS Sioux Falls, SD
NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued this tornado warning at May 6, 2009, 5:54 PM CDT for Clay County, O'Brien County, Iowa. It was in force for 35 min. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- May 6, 2009, 5:54 PM CDT (22:54 UTC)
- Expired
- May 6, 2009, 6:29 PM CDT
- In force
- 35 min
- Issued by
- NWS Sioux Falls, SD
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
Counties Clay County, IA, O'Brien County, IA
The radar
The Sioux Falls radar (KFSD), 124 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:55 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.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 6, 6:01 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | 3 Wnw Everly, IA | |
| May 6, 6:15 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | 4 Ssw Everly, IA |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
The nearest sounding before it
Omaha, NE (KOAX), launched 12:00Z, 10.9 hours before the alert went out and 216 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 174 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -271 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 633 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 31 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 126 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 130 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.
000 WFUS53 KFSD 062254 TORFSD IAC041-141-062345- /O.NEW.KFSD.TO.W.0008.090506T2254Z-090506T2345Z/ BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SIOUX FALLS SD 554 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2009 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SIOUX FALLS HAS ISSUED A * TORNADO WARNING FOR... WESTERN CLAY COUNTY IN NORTHWEST IOWA EASTERN OBRIEN COUNTY IN NORTHWEST IOWA * UNTIL 645 PM CDT * AT 553 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO. THIS DANGEROUS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR HARTLEY...OR 14 MILES WEST OF SPENCER...AND MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 15 MPH. * THIS TORNADIC STORM WILL BE NEAR... MONETA...EVERLY AROUND 610 PM CDT... ROYAL...SUTHERLAND AROUND 635 PM CDT... PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A STURDY SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS. && LAT...LON 4304 9514 4296 9551 4325 9556 4326 9536 TIME...MOT...LOC 2254Z 333DEG 15KT 4320 9543 $$ BT
6 follow-up statements
000 WWUS53 KFSD 062258 SVSFSD SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SIOUX FALLS SD 558 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2009 IAC041-141-062345- /O.CON.KFSD.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-090506T2345Z/ OBRIEN IA-CLAY IA- 558 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2009 ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT FOR NORTHWESTERN CLAY AND EASTERN OBRIEN COUNTIES... AT 556 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR HARTLEY...OR 14 MILES WEST OF SPENCER...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 20 MPH. THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR... MONETA AND EVERLY AROUND 605 PM CDT... ROYAL AROUND 630 PM CDT... PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS. THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS. && LAT...LON 4304 9514 4296 9551 4325 9556 4326 9537 TIME...MOT...LOC 2258Z 335DEG 16KT 4317 9542 $$ BT
000 WWUS53 KFSD 062305 SVSFSD SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SIOUX FALLS SD 605 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2009 IAC041-141-062345- /O.CON.KFSD.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-090506T2345Z/ OBRIEN IA-CLAY IA- 605 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2009 ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT FOR WESTERN CLAY AND EASTERN OBRIEN COUNTIES... AT 601 PM CDT...A TORNADO WAS REPORTED. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MONETA...OR 12 MILES WEST OF SPENCER...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 20 MPH. THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR... MONETA NOW... ROYAL AROUND 625 PM CDT... PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS. && LAT...LON 4304 9514 4296 9551 4325 9556 4326 9537 TIME...MOT...LOC 2304Z 334DEG 17KT 4313 9539 $$ BT
000 WWUS53 KFSD 062309 SVSFSD SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SIOUX FALLS SD 609 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2009 IAC041-141-062345- /O.CON.KFSD.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-090506T2345Z/ OBRIEN IA-CLAY IA- 609 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2009 ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT FOR NORTHWESTERN CLAY AND EASTERN OBRIEN COUNTIES... AT 606 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MONETA...OR 12 MILES WEST OF SPENCER...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 20 MPH. THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR... ROYAL AROUND 625 PM CDT... PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING WALNUT SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS. THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM...IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM...SEEK A STURDY PLACE OF SHELTER. && LAT...LON 4304 9514 4296 9551 4325 9556 4326 9537 TIME...MOT...LOC 2309Z 334DEG 17KT 4311 9538 $$ BT
000 WWUS53 KFSD 062312 SVSFSD SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SIOUX FALLS SD 612 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2009 IAC041-141-062345- /O.CON.KFSD.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-090506T2345Z/ OBRIEN IA-CLAY IA- 612 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2009 ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT FOR WESTERN CLAY AND EASTERN OBRIEN COUNTIES... AT 611 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MONETA...OR 11 MILES WEST OF SPENCER...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 20 MPH. THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR... ROYAL AROUND 620 PM CDT... PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING WALNUT SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS. THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS. && LAT...LON 4316 9547 4321 9532 4304 9514 4296 9551 TIME...MOT...LOC 2312Z 334DEG 18KT 4309 9536 $$ BT
000 WWUS53 KFSD 062320 SVSFSD SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SIOUX FALLS SD 620 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2009 IAC141-062330- /O.CAN.KFSD.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-090506T2345Z/ OBRIEN IA- 620 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2009 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EASTERN OBRIEN COUNTY IS CANCELLED... LAT...LON 4315 9539 4317 9528 4304 9514 4299 9540 TIME...MOT...LOC 2320Z 334DEG 18KT 4305 9534 $$ IAC041-062345- /O.CON.KFSD.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-090506T2345Z/ CLAY IA- 620 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2009 ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT FOR WESTERN CLAY COUNTY... AT 616 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR ROYAL...OR 11 MILES SOUTHWEST OF SPENCER...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 25 MPH. THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR... RURAL WESTERN CLAY COUNTY THROUGH 630 PM CDT PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 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. THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS. && LAT...LON 4315 9539 4317 9528 4304 9514 4299 9540 TIME...MOT...LOC 2320Z 334DEG 22KT 4305 9534 $$ BT
000 WWUS53 KFSD 062329 SVSFSD SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SIOUX FALLS SD 629 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2009 IAC041-062338- /O.CAN.KFSD.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-090506T2345Z/ CLAY IA- 629 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2009 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR WESTERN CLAY COUNTY IS CANCELLED... THE STORM WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS MOVED OUT OF THE WARNED AREA...HOWEVER HAIL IS STILL POSSIBLE WITH THIS THUNDERSTORM. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHWESTERN CLAY COUNTY AND NORTHERN BUENA VISTA. LAT...LON 4315 9539 4317 9528 4304 9514 4299 9540 TIME...MOT...LOC 2328Z 334DEG 22KT 4301 9531 $$ BT
The office that day
Everything else NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 6, 9:34 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Dickinson | 26 min |
| May 6, 2:34 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Plymouth, Woodbury | 41 min |
| May 6, 3:07 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Woodbury | 23 min |
| May 6, 3:30 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Woodbury | 15 min |
| May 6, 5:15 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Clay, Dickinson, Osceola | 45 min |
| May 6, 5:23 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | FSD | Clay, Dickinson, O'Brien, Osceola | 52 min |
| May 6, 6:23 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FSD | Buena Vista, Clay | 19 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Iowa, 2009Every tornado warning in 2009Tornadoes in 2009
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.