Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2009

Tornado Warning 4, NWS Springfield, MO

March 8, 2009Bourbon County, Kansas; Vernon County, Missouri

NWS Springfield, MO issued this tornado warning at Mar 8, 2009, 6:26 AM CDT for Bourbon County, Kansas; Vernon County, Missouri. It was in force for 34 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
Mar 8, 2009, 6:26 AM CDT (11:26 UTC)
Expired
Mar 8, 2009, 7:00 AM CDT
In force
34 min
Issued by
NWS Springfield, MO
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Bourbon County, KS, Vernon County, MO

The radar

The Pleasant Hill radar (KEAX), 95 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 11:26 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Mar 8, 6:40 AM CDTHAIL 0.7Devon, KS
Mar 8, 6:44 AM CDTTSTM WND DMG5 N Fort Scott, KSTREES DOWN AND VACANT HOME DAMAGED ALONG A PATH FROM 150 AND JAYHAWK ROAD TO 120 AND INDIAN ROAD.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Topeka, KS (KTOP), launched 00:00Z, 11.4 hours before the alert went out and 140 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 2009-03-08Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 205 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, Topeka, KS at 00:00Z on 2009-03-08The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 336 square meters per square second.1939587897117136Sfc1 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
205 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-115 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1059 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
77 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
336 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
393 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
3.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS53 KSGF 081126
TORSGF
KSC011-MOC217-081200-
/O.NEW.KSGF.TO.W.0004.090308T1126Z-090308T1200Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPRINGFIELD MO
626 AM CDT SUN MAR 8 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SPRINGFIELD HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHEASTERN BOURBON COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST KANSAS...
  NORTHWESTERN VERNON COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL MISSOURI...

* UNTIL 700 AM CDT.

* AT 625 AM CDT...BOURBON COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT REPORTED A 
TORNADO NEAR FULTON...OR 8 MILES NORTH OF FORT SCOTT...MOVING 
NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL REMAIN OVER MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF NORTHEASTERN
  BOURBON AND NORTHWESTERN VERNON COUNTIES...INCLUDING THE TOWN OF
  STOTESBURY.

IN ADDITION TO A TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH.

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 3804 9477 3803 9462 3806 9462 3806 9441
      3805 9441 3783 9470 3795 9486
TIME...MOT...LOC 1126Z 228DEG 47KT 3796 9470

$$

GAGAN
3 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS53 KSGF 081129
SVSSGF

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPRINGFIELD MO
629 AM CDT SUN MAR 8 2009

KSC011-MOC217-081200-
/O.CON.KSGF.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-090308T1200Z/
BOURBON KS-VERNON MO-
629 AM CDT SUN MAR 8 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 AM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN BOURBON AND NORTHWESTERN VERNON COUNTIES...

AT 629 AM CDT...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTINUED TO TRACK A TORNADO
NEAR HAMMOND...OR 10 MILES NORTH OF FORT SCOTT...MOVING NORTHEAST AT
50 MPH.

THIS TORNADO WILL REMAIN OVER MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF NORTHEASTERN
BOURBON AND NORTHWESTERN VERNON COUNTIES.

IN ADDITION TO A TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING LARGE
DAMAGING HAIL UP TO WALNUT SIZE...AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH.

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 3804 9477 3803 9462 3806 9462 3806 9441
      3805 9441 3783 9470 3795 9486
TIME...MOT...LOC 1129Z 228DEG 47KT 3798 9466

$$

GAGAN
000 
WWUS53 KSGF 081136
SVSSGF

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPRINGFIELD MO
636 AM CDT SUN MAR 8 2009

MOC217-081200-
/O.CON.KSGF.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-090308T1200Z/
VERNON MO-
636 AM CDT SUN MAR 8 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 AM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN VERNON COUNTY...

AT 633 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO NEAR STOTESBURY...OR 10 MILES SOUTHWEST OF RICH 
HILL...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 62 MPH. LAW ENFORCEMENT IN BOURBON COUNTY 
KANSAS REPORTED THAT A TORNADO WAS SPOTTED NEAR THE FULTON AREA AT 
625 AM.

THIS TORNADO WILL REMAIN OVER MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF NORTHWESTERN
VERNON COUNTY.

IN ADDITION TO A TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING LARGE
DAMAGING HAIL UP TO WALNUT SIZE...AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH.

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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 PM CDT SUNDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHEAST KANSAS AND SOUTHERN MISSOURI.

&&

LAT...LON 3806 9462 3806 9441 3805 9441 3793 9462
TIME...MOT...LOC 1136Z 235DEG 54KT 3806 9447

$$

GAGAN
000 
WWUS53 KSGF 081142
SVSSGF

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPRINGFIELD MO
642 AM CDT SUN MAR 8 2009

MOC217-081152-
/O.CAN.KSGF.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-090308T1200Z/
VERNON MO-
642 AM CDT SUN MAR 8 2009

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN VERNON COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THAT THE TORNADO
THAT PROMPTED THE WARNING IS EXITING THE WARNED AREA...THUS THE
WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 PM CDT SUNDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHEAST KANSAS AND SOUTHERN MISSOURI.

LAT...LON 3806 9462 3806 9441 3805 9441 3793 9462
TIME...MOT...LOC 1142Z 235DEG 54KT 3811 9437

$$

WISE

The office that day

Everything else NWS Springfield, MO issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 8, 6:40 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFBourbon, Crawford45 min
Mar 8, 6:50 AM CDTTornado WarningSGFVernon40 min
Mar 8, 6:54 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFSt. Clair51 min
Mar 8, 7:02 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFSt. Clair43 min
Mar 8, 7:18 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFCedar, St. Clair42 min
Mar 8, 7:21 AM CDTTornado WarningSGFCedar, St. Clair39 min
Mar 8, 7:31 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFBarry, Dade, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton59 min
Mar 8, 7:34 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFBenton, Hickory, St. Clair56 min
Mar 8, 7:54 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFCedar, Dade, Dallas, Polk55 min
Mar 8, 8:08 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFCamden, Morgan57 min
Mar 8, 8:14 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFChristian, Greene47 min
Mar 8, 8:35 AM CDTTornado WarningSGFCamden, Miller, Morgan33 min
Mar 8, 8:39 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFChristian, Douglas, Laclede, Webster, Wright66 min
Mar 8, 8:45 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFCamden, Laclede40 min
Mar 8, 8:57 AM CDTTornado WarningSGFLaclede, Wright48 min
Mar 8, 9:04 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFTaney41 min
Mar 8, 9:14 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFPhelps, Pulaski49 min
Mar 8, 9:19 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFDouglas56 min
Mar 8, 9:23 AM CDTTornado WarningSGFDouglas44 min
Mar 8, 9:32 AM CDTTornado WarningSGFDent, Phelps33 min
Mar 8, 10:02 AM CDTTornado WarningSGFHowell, Shannon, Texas73 min
Mar 8, 1:15 PM CDTWind AdvisorySGFDent, Maries, Oregon, Phelps, Shannon5 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Kansas, 2009Tornado Warnings in Missouri, 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.