Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2011
Tornado Warning 17, NWS Topeka, KS
NWS Topeka, KS issued this tornado warning at May 21, 2011, 10:12 PM CDT for Osage County, Kansas. It was in force for 48 min. 4 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, 10:12 PM CDT (03:12 UTC)
- Expired
- May 21, 2011, 11:00 PM CDT
- In force
- 48 min
- Issued by
- NWS Topeka, KS
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
County Osage County, KS
The radar
The Topeka radar (KTWX), 64 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:15 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 21, 10:15 PM CDT | HAIL 2.75 | Osage City, KS | |
| May 21, 10:15 PM CDT | TORNADO | 5 S Osage City, KS | RELAYED BY OSAGE COUNTY EM |
| May 21, 10:36 PM CDT | TORNADO | 2 W Quenemo, KS | RELAYED BY OSAGE COUNTY EM |
| May 21, 10:43 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | Quenemo, KS | MINOR DAMAGE TO SEVERAL HOMES IN QUENEMO. NO INJURIES. ONE BARN OR GARAGE DESTROYED. |
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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 3:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 9 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Springfield, MO (KSGF), launched 00:00Z, 3.2 hours before the alert went out and 252 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
- 804 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -63 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1618 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 57 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 137 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 202 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.2
- Supercell composite
- 6.0
The text
As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.
454
WFUS53 KTOP 220312
TORTOP
KSC139-220400-
/O.NEW.KTOP.TO.W.0017.110522T0312Z-110522T0400Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
1012 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TOPEKA HAS ISSUED A
* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
CENTRAL OSAGE COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL KANSAS...
* UNTIL 1100 PM CDT
* AT 1010 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A
TORNADO. THIS SEVERE STORM WAS LOCATED 5 MILES SOUTH OF OSAGE
CITY...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.
* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
LYNDON...
MELVERN...
POMONA LAKE...
QUENEMO...
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.
TORNADOS ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT. TAKE COVER NOW! IF YOU WAIT
TO SEE OR HEAR IT COMING...IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE.
STAY TUNED TO WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS FOR THE LATEST
SEVERE WEATHER INFORMATION.
&&
LAT...LON 3848 9592 3871 9592 3874 9551 3863 9551
3849 9551
TIME...MOT...LOC 0312Z 261DEG 27KT 3856 9580
HAIL 2.00IN
$$
PHILLIPS4 follow-up statements
346 WWUS53 KTOP 220320 SVSTOP SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS 1020 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011 KSC139-220400- /O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0017.000000T0000Z-110522T0400Z/ OSAGE- 1020 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011 ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL OSAGE COUNTY... AT 1015 PM CDT...EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTED A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 5 MILES SOUTH OF OSAGE CITY...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... LYNDON...MELVERN...POMONA LAKE AND QUENEMO. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... FOR YOUR SAFETY...GO TO A STORM SHELTER OR BASEMENT NOW! LARGE DESTRUCTIVE HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF BASEBALLS IS ALSO LIKELY ALONG AND NORTH OF THE EXPECTED TORNADO TRACK. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS FOR THE LATEST SEVERE WEATHER INFORMATION. && LAT...LON 3849 9584 3871 9590 3874 9551 3849 9551 TIME...MOT...LOC 0320Z 264DEG 20KT 3856 9577 HAIL 2.75IN $$ PHILLIPS
870 WWUS53 KTOP 220333 SVSTOP SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS 1033 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011 KSC139-220400- /O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0017.000000T0000Z-110522T0400Z/ OSAGE- 1033 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011 ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM CDT FOR EAST CENTRAL OSAGE COUNTY... AT 1029 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD. THIS FUNNEL CLOUD WAS LOCATED 5 MILES SOUTH OF LYNDON...OR 10 MILES SOUTHEAST OF OSAGE CITY...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH. QUENEMO IS DIRECTLY IN THE PATH OF THE STORM. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... QUENEMO. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... FOR YOUR SAFETY...GO TO A STORM SHELTER OR BASEMENT NOW! TORNADOS ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT. TAKE COVER NOW! IF YOU WAIT TO SEE OR HEAR IT COMING...IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS FOR THE LATEST SEVERE WEATHER INFORMATION. && LAT...LON 3849 9573 3865 9571 3874 9551 3849 9551 TIME...MOT...LOC 0333Z 260DEG 25KT 3857 9563 HAIL 1.50IN $$ PHILLIPS
544 WWUS53 KTOP 220338 SVSTOP SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS 1038 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011 KSC139-220400- /O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0017.000000T0000Z-110522T0400Z/ OSAGE- 1038 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011 ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM CDT FOR EAST CENTRAL OSAGE COUNTY... AT 1033 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO TRACK A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 2 MILES WEST OF QUENEMO ...OR 12 MILES SOUTHEAST OF OSAGE CITY...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH. QUENEMO IS DIRECTLY IN THE PATH OF THE TORNADO. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... QUENEMO. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... FOR YOUR SAFETY...GO TO A STORM SHELTER OR BASEMENT NOW! LARGE DESTRUCTIVE HAIL IS ALSO LIKELY ALONG AND NORTH OF THE EXPECTED TORNADO TRACK. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS FOR THE LATEST SEVERE WEATHER INFORMATION. && LAT...LON 3851 9567 3863 9571 3872 9551 3851 9551 TIME...MOT...LOC 0337Z 260DEG 25KT 3857 9559 HAIL 2.00IN $$ PHILLIPS
720 WWUS53 KTOP 220353 SVSTOP SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS 1053 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011 KSC139-220403- /O.EXP.KTOP.TO.W.0017.000000T0000Z-110522T0400Z/ OSAGE- 1053 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL OSAGE COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 1100 PM CDT... AT 1053 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED THAT THE STORM WHICH HAD PROMPTED THE TORNADO WARNING HAD EXITED THE WARNED AREA...THUS THE WARNING HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO EXPIRE. ADDITIONAL STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL MOVE ACROSS SOUTHERN AND EASTERN OSAGE COUNTY THROUGH MIDNIGHT. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT. STAY ALERT TO THE WEATHER. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS FOR THE LATEST SEVERE WEATHER INFORMATION. && LAT...LON 3851 9567 3863 9571 3872 9551 3851 9551 TIME...MOT...LOC 0353Z 260DEG 25KT 3857 9545 $$ PHILLIPS
The office that day
Everything else NWS Topeka, KS issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 7:01 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Pottawatomie, Wabaunsee | 14 min |
| May 21, 7:26 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Jackson, Jefferson | 34 min |
| May 21, 7:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Jackson, Jefferson | 32 min |
| May 21, 7:35 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Jackson, Shawnee | 25 min |
| May 21, 7:41 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Jefferson | 49 min |
| May 21, 7:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Brown, Jackson, Jefferson | 49 min |
| May 21, 8:03 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | TOP | Lyon | 42 min |
| May 21, 8:20 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Lyon, Morris | 55 min |
| May 21, 8:22 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | TOP | Ottawa, Saline | 30 hr |
| May 21, 8:30 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Jackson, Jefferson | 45 min |
| May 21, 8:34 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | TOP | Shawnee | 56 min |
| May 21, 8:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Jackson, Jefferson, Shawnee | 33 min |
| May 21, 8:52 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Lyon | 39 min |
| May 21, 9:08 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Osage | 52 min |
| May 21, 9:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Jefferson | 47 min |
| May 21, 9:23 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Osage | 52 min |
| May 21, 9:34 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Jefferson | 56 min |
| May 21, 9:43 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Lyon | 32 min |
| May 21, 9:55 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Douglas, Franklin | 65 min |
| May 21, 10:55 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Coffey, Franklin, Osage | 35 min |
| May 21, 10:57 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Douglas, Franklin | 63 min |
| May 21, 11:13 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Coffey, Franklin, Osage | 47 min |
| May 21, 11:58 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Franklin | 33 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.