Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 10, NWS Topeka, KS

May 21, 2011Douglas County, Jefferson County, Kansas

NWS Topeka, KS issued this tornado warning at May 21, 2011, 6:47 PM CDT for Douglas County, Jefferson County, Kansas. It was in force for 58 min. 9 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 21, 2011, 6:47 PM CDT (23:47 UTC)
Expired
May 21, 2011, 7:45 PM CDT
In force
58 min
Issued by
NWS Topeka, KS
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Douglas County, KS, Jefferson County, KS

The radar

The Topeka radar (KTWX), 83 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:51 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
May 21, 7:06 PM CDTHAIL 0.754 S Ozawkie, KS
May 21, 7:08 PM CDTHAIL 24 Nnw Perry, KS
May 21, 7:10 PM CDTHAIL 1.754 S Ozawkie, KS
May 21, 7:15 PM CDTHAIL 12 Sw Oskaloosa, KS
May 21, 7:20 PM CDTTORNADO4 Nnw Perry, KSWATER SPOUT OVER LAKE PERRY
May 21, 7:29 PM CDTTORNADO5 Nne Perry, KSTORNADO REPORTED NEAR LAKE PERRY. LASTED FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES.
May 21, 7:30 PM CDTFUNNEL CLOUD2 Sw Oskaloosa, KSSPOTTER REPORTS FUNNEL CLOUD
May 21, 7:33 PM CDTTORNADO3 Sw Oskaloosa, KSLOTS OF DEBRIS ALONG ROADS. LARGE TREES DOWN.
May 21, 7:33 PM CDTTORNADO6 Sw Oskaloosa, KSLOTS OF DEBRIS ALONG ROADS. LARGE TREES DOWN.

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

The watch it was issued in

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

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
May 21, 3:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Topeka, KS (KTOP), launched 12:00Z, 11.8 hours before the alert went out and 34 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 12:00Z on 2011-05-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 480 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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, Topeka, KS at 12:00Z on 2011-05-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 21 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
480 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-193 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
716 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
52 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
21 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
64 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

351 
WFUS53 KTOP 212347
TORTOP
KSC045-087-220045-
/O.NEW.KTOP.TO.W.0010.110521T2347Z-110522T0045Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
647 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TOPEKA HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHWESTERN DOUGLAS COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL KANSAS...
  SOUTHEASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY IN NORTHEAST KANSAS...

* UNTIL 745 PM CDT

* AT 641 PM CDT...THIS STORM HAS PRODUCED SEVERAL FUNNELS AND A
  TORNADO NEAR TOPEKA.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR TOPEKA...MOVING
  NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH. BASEBALL SIZE HAIL IS ALSO LIKELY WITH THIS
  STORM.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  LECOMPTON...
  PERRY...
  PERRY LAKE...
  WILLIAMSTOWN...
  OZAWKIE...
  OSKALOOSA...
  MCLOUTH...
  WINCHESTER...

THIS INCLUDES THE KANSAS TURNPIKE BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 189 AND 195.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF A TORNADO APPROACHES...GO TO A BASEMENT OR SEEK SHELTER IN A
HALLWAY OR CLOSET ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING. USE BLANKETS
OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR HEAD AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF
YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE...SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARBY BUILDING. AS A LAST
RESORT...SEEK SHELTER IN A CULVERT...DITCH OR LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR
HEAD.

STAY TUNED TO WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS FOR THE LATEST
SEVERE WEATHER INFORMATION.

&&

LAT...LON 3912 9518 3904 9518 3898 9549 3915 9550
      3919 9557 3939 9518 3916 9517 3913 9517
TIME...MOT...LOC 2346Z 236DEG 25KT 3903 9552
HAIL 2.75IN

$$

ANGLE
3 follow-up statements
420 
WWUS53 KTOP 220007
SVSTOP

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
707 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011

KSC045-220017-
/O.CAN.KTOP.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-110522T0045Z/
DOUGLAS-
707 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN DOUGLAS COUNTY HAS BEEN
CANCELLED...

THE STORM WILL STAY NORTH OF DOUGLAS COUNTY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS FOR THE
LATEST SEVERE WEATHER INFORMATION.

&&

LAT...LON 3912 9518 3904 9518 3905 9528 3904 9529
      3904 9535 3907 9544 3906 9549 3915 9550
      3919 9557 3939 9518 3916 9518 3916 9517
      3913 9517
TIME...MOT...LOC 0007Z 233DEG 22KT 3911 9546

$$

KSC087-220045-
/O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-110522T0045Z/
JEFFERSON-
707 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY...

AT 704 PM CDT...EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTED A TORNADO.  THIS
TORNADO WAS LOCATED 5 MILES WEST OF PERRY...OR 12 MILES EAST OF
TOPEKA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
PERRY...PERRY LAKE...WILLIAMSTOWN...OZAWKIE...OSKALOOSA...MCLOUTH AND
WINCHESTER.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

FOR YOUR SAFETY...GO TO A STORM SHELTER OR BASEMENT NOW!

WEEKEND CAMPERS SHOULD BE IN SHELTER OFF THE LAKE.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS FOR THE
LATEST SEVERE WEATHER INFORMATION.

&&

LAT...LON 3912 9518 3904 9518 3905 9528 3904 9529
      3904 9535 3907 9544 3906 9549 3915 9550
      3919 9557 3939 9518 3916 9518 3916 9517
      3913 9517
TIME...MOT...LOC 0007Z 233DEG 22KT 3911 9546
HAIL 2.75IN

$$

ANGLE
727 
WWUS53 KTOP 220025
SVSTOP

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
725 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011

KSC087-220045-
/O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-110522T0045Z/
JEFFERSON-
725 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM CDT FOR JEFFERSON
COUNTY...

AT 723 PM CDT...EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTED A TORNADO.  THIS
TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR PERRY LAKE...OR 6 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
OSKALOOSA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 20 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
OSKALOOSA...WINCHESTER AND MCLOUTH.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

FOR YOUR SAFETY...GO TO A STORM SHELTER OR BASEMENT NOW!

BASEBALL SIZE HAIL HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED WITH THIS STORM.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS FOR THE
LATEST SEVERE WEATHER INFORMATION.

&&

LAT...LON 3918 9518 3916 9527 3913 9542 3911 9549
      3915 9550 3919 9557 3939 9518
TIME...MOT...LOC 0025Z 240DEG 16KT 3918 9540
HAIL 2.75IN

$$

ANGLE
644 
WWUS53 KTOP 220035
SVSTOP

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
735 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011

KSC087-220045-
/O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-110522T0045Z/
JEFFERSON-
735 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM CDT FOR JEFFERSON
COUNTY...

AT 732 PM CDT...TRAINED STORM SPOTTERS REPORTED A WALL CLOUD.  THIS
TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR OSKALOOSA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 20 MPH.

SEEK SHELTER NOW! THIS STORM HAS A HISTORY OF PRODUCING FUNNELS
AND BASEBALL SIZE HAIL.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
OSKALOOSA...WINCHESTER AND MCLOUTH.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

FOR YOUR SAFETY...GO TO A STORM SHELTER OR BASEMENT NOW!

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS FOR THE
LATEST SEVERE WEATHER INFORMATION.

&&

LAT...LON 3918 9518 3916 9527 3913 9542 3911 9549
      3915 9550 3919 9557 3939 9518
TIME...MOT...LOC 0034Z 233DEG 18KT 3923 9535
HAIL 2.75IN

$$

ANGLE

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 20, 10:21 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningTOPMarshall28 hr
May 21, 12:31 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningTOPAnderson, Franklin25 hr
May 21, 4:56 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPShawnee49 min
May 21, 4:58 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPBrown47 min
May 21, 5:01 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPMarshall29 min
May 21, 5:06 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPLyon, Osage, Shawnee, Wabaunsee39 min
May 21, 5:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPBrown, Jackson, Nemaha49 min
May 21, 5:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPJackson, Jefferson, Osage, Shawnee, Wabaunsee37 min
May 21, 5:43 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPMarshall, Nemaha47 min
May 21, 5:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPBrown, Nemaha52 min
May 21, 6:08 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPDouglas, Jefferson, Osage, Shawnee52 min
May 21, 6:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPGeary, Morris, Riley, Wabaunsee49 min
May 21, 6:12 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPJackson, Jefferson, Shawnee48 min
May 21, 6:29 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPBrown46 min
May 21, 6:49 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPJackson, Jefferson, Pottawatomie, Shawnee, Wabaunsee41 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Kansas, 2011Every tornado warning in 2011Tornadoes in 2011

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.