Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2011
Tornado Warning 18, NWS Topeka, KS
NWS Topeka, KS issued this tornado warning at May 21, 2011, 10:57 PM CDT for Douglas County, Franklin County, Kansas. It was in force for 63 min. 1 report 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, 10:57 PM CDT (03:57 UTC)
- Expired
- May 22, 2011, 12:00 AM CDT
- In force
- 63 min
- Issued by
- NWS Topeka, KS
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
Counties Douglas County, KS, Franklin County, KS
The radar
The Topeka radar (KTWX), 89 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:57 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 22, 12:05 AM CDT | HAIL 1.25 | 5 Se Ottawa, KS |
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, 4.0 hours before the alert went out and 233 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.
830 WFUS53 KTOP 220357 TORTOP KSC045-059-220500- /O.NEW.KTOP.TO.W.0018.110522T0357Z-110522T0500Z/ BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS 1057 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TOPEKA HAS ISSUED A * TORNADO WARNING FOR... SOUTHEASTERN DOUGLAS COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL KANSAS... NORTHERN FRANKLIN COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL KANSAS... * UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT * AT 1052 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR POMONA...OR 11 MILES WEST OF OTTAWA...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH. ANOTHER TORNADIC STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR BALDWIN CITY MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH. * LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... POMONA... CENTROPOLIS... OTTAWA... BALDWIN CITY... RANTOUL... WELLSVILLE... THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 35 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 171 AND 199. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... HEAVY RAINFALL MAY OBSCURE THIS TORNADO MAKING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. 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 3849 9550 3871 9550 3886 9506 3854 9506 TIME...MOT...LOC 0356Z 260DEG 22KT 3859 9544 HAIL 2.00IN $$ PHILLIPS
4 follow-up statements
608
WWUS53 KTOP 220403
SVSTOP
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
1103 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011
KSC045-059-220500-
/O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0018.000000T0000Z-110522T0500Z/
DOUGLAS-FRANKLIN-
1103 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT FOR
NORTHERN FRANKLIN AND SOUTHEASTERN DOUGLAS COUNTIES...
AT 1101 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
TRACK A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 7 MILES WEST OF OTTAWA...
MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.
OTTAWA IS DIRECTLY IN THE PATH OF THIS TORNADO. PEOPLE IN OTTAWA
TAKE COVER NOW!
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
OTTAWA AND WELLSVILLE.
THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 35 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 178 AND 198.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
FOR YOUR SAFETY...GO TO A STORM SHELTER OR BASEMENT NOW!
TORNADOS ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT. TAKE COVER NOW! IF YOU WAIT
TO SEE OR HEAR IT COMING...IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE.
STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS FOR THE
LATEST SEVERE WEATHER INFORMATION.
&&
LAT...LON 3855 9542 3867 9546 3881 9521 3886 9506
3854 9506
TIME...MOT...LOC 0403Z 259DEG 27KT 3860 9537
HAIL 1.50IN
$$
PHILLIPS302 WWUS53 KTOP 220417 SVSTOP SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS 1117 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011 KSC045-059-220500- /O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0018.000000T0000Z-110522T0500Z/ DOUGLAS-FRANKLIN- 1117 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011 ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT FOR NORTHEASTERN FRANKLIN AND SOUTHEASTERN DOUGLAS COUNTIES... AT 1115 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR OTTAWA...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... WELLSVILLE. THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 35 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 182 AND 198. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... THIS STORM HAS A HISTORY OF PRODUCING TORNADOES. TAKE COVER IN A BASEMENT OR STORM SHELTER NOW...AND PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FLYING DEBRIS! STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS FOR THE LATEST SEVERE WEATHER INFORMATION. && LAT...LON 3857 9530 3870 9533 3878 9506 3858 9506 TIME...MOT...LOC 0417Z 258DEG 27KT 3863 9524 HAIL 1.00IN $$ PHILLIPS
711
WWUS53 KTOP 220429
SVSTOP
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
1129 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011
KSC045-220439-
/O.CAN.KTOP.TO.W.0018.000000T0000Z-110522T0500Z/
DOUGLAS-
1129 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN DOUGLAS COUNTY HAS BEEN
CANCELLED...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS FOR THE
LATEST SEVERE WEATHER INFORMATION.
&&
LAT...LON 3860 9520 3872 9523 3874 9507 3874 9506
3872 9506 3858 9506
TIME...MOT...LOC 0429Z 254DEG 30KT 3865 9512
$$
KSC059-220500-
/O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0018.000000T0000Z-110522T0500Z/
FRANKLIN-
1129 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN FRANKLIN COUNTY...
AT 1124 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION CAPABLE OF
PRODUCING A TORNADO. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
WELLSVILLE...OR 5 MILES EAST OF OTTAWA...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
WELLSVILLE.
THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 35 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 190 AND 198.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
THIS STORM HAS A HISTORY OF PRODUCING TORNADOES. TAKE COVER IN A
BASEMENT OR STORM SHELTER NOW...AND PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FLYING
DEBRIS!
STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS FOR THE
LATEST SEVERE WEATHER INFORMATION.
&&
LAT...LON 3860 9520 3872 9523 3874 9507 3874 9506
3872 9506 3858 9506
TIME...MOT...LOC 0429Z 254DEG 30KT 3865 9512
HAIL 1.00IN
$$
PHILLIPS605
WWUS53 KTOP 220442
SVSTOP
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
1142 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011
KSC059-220451-
/O.CAN.KTOP.TO.W.0018.000000T0000Z-110522T0500Z/
FRANKLIN-
1142 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN FRANKLIN COUNTY HAS BEEN
CANCELLED...
AT 1141 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED THAT THE
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH THE POSSIBLE TORNADO HAD EXITED THE AREA...
THUS THE WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT. STAY ALERT TO THE
WEATHER.
A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHWESTERN FRANKLIN COUNTY
UNTIL MIDNIGHT.
STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS FOR THE
LATEST SEVERE WEATHER INFORMATION.
&&
LAT...LON 3860 9520 3872 9523 3874 9507 3874 9506
3872 9506 3858 9506
TIME...MOT...LOC 0441Z 254DEG 30KT 3868 9500
$$
WOYNICKThe 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, 10:12 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Osage | 48 min |
| May 21, 10:55 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Coffey, Franklin, Osage | 35 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.