Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 9, NWS Topeka, KS

May 21, 20114 counties in Kansas

NWS Topeka, KS issued this tornado warning at May 21, 2011, 6:08 PM CDT for 4 counties in Kansas. It was in force for 52 min. 26 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, 6:08 PM CDT (23:08 UTC)
Expired
May 21, 2011, 7:00 PM CDT
In force
52 min
Issued by
NWS Topeka, KS
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Douglas County, KS, Jefferson County, KS, Osage County, KS, Shawnee County, KS

The radar

The Topeka radar (KTWX), 51 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:09 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, 6:10 PM CDTFUNNEL CLOUDAuburn, KSWALL CLOUD WITH WEAK FUNNELS REPORTED BY NWS EMPLOYEE
May 21, 6:16 PM CDTTORNADO8 Sw Topeka, KSWEAK EF0 TORNADO DAMAGED AN OUTBUILDING AND SNAPPED SOME TREES NEAR THE WASHBURN RURAL HIGHSCHOOL.
May 21, 6:18 PM CDTHAIL 12 E Topeka, KSALSO OBSERVING A WALL CLOUD IN SAME LOCATION.
May 21, 6:21 PM CDTFUNNEL CLOUD6 Se Topeka, KSHALFWAY TO GROUND
May 21, 6:24 PM CDTFUNNEL CLOUD4 Ne Auburn, KS
May 21, 6:25 PM CDTFUNNEL CLOUD3 S Topeka, KSHALF WAY TO THE GROUND LOOKING NORTH FROM 77TH ST.
May 21, 6:25 PM CDTHAIL 13 Sw Topeka, KS
May 21, 6:27 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG3 Sw Topeka, KSLARGE TREE LIMBS DOWN 61ST AND WANAMAKER.
May 21, 6:27 PM CDTHAIL 1.25Sw Topeka, KS
May 21, 6:27 PM CDTHAIL 1.753 Sw Topeka, KS
May 21, 6:29 PM CDTHAIL 1.253 Sw Topeka, KS
May 21, 6:33 PM CDTHAIL 22 Sw Topeka, KS
May 21, 6:34 PM CDTHAIL 21 Nw Topeka, KS
May 21, 6:35 PM CDTHAIL 1.53 Ne Topeka, KS
May 21, 6:39 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG4 Ese Topeka, KSDAMAGE AT BALLFIELDS AT 29TH AND CROCO AND A 5TH WHEEL OVER TURNED POSSIBLE TORNADO
May 21, 6:41 PM CDTHAIL 1.54 Wsw Topeka, KSAT 33RD SW AND STONE ST.
May 21, 6:42 PM CDTHAIL 1.753 Ne Topeka, KS
May 21, 6:46 PM CDTHAIL 2.752 N Topeka, KSAT 29TH AND MERADIN RD.
May 21, 6:47 PM CDTFUNNEL CLOUD2 Ene Topeka, KS
May 21, 6:54 PM CDTHAIL 1.54 E Topeka, KSAT US 40 AND K4.
May 21, 6:57 PM CDTHAIL 1.753 Nne Grantville, KS
May 21, 7:00 PM CDTFUNNEL CLOUD6 Ne Topeka, KS
May 21, 7:00 PM CDTHAIL 1.753 E Topeka, KS21ST AND CORCO RD.
May 21, 7:00 PM CDTHAIL 1.753 S Meriden, KS
May 21, 7:00 PM CDTHAIL 1.75Tecumseh, KS
May 21, 7:00 PM CDTHAIL 2.53 Se Topeka, KS*** 1 INJ *** HAIL BROKE CAR WINDOWS AT 6TH AND CROCO RD. ONE INJURY REPORTED FROM THE HAIL.

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, 11.1 hours before the alert went out and 3 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.

870 
WFUS53 KTOP 212308
TORTOP
KSC045-087-139-177-220000-
/O.NEW.KTOP.TO.W.0009.110521T2308Z-110522T0000Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
608 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...
  EXTREME NORTHEASTERN OSAGE COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL KANSAS...
  SHAWNEE COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL KANSAS...
  SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY IN NORTHEAST KANSAS...

* UNTIL 700 PM CDT

* AT 604 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL 
CLOUD.   THIS SEVERE STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR AUBURN...OR 9 MILES   
SOUTHWEST OF TOPEKA...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  PAULINE...
  TOPEKA...
  BERRYTON...
  RICHLAND...
  TECUMSEH...
  GRANTVILLE...

THIS INCLUDES THE KANSAS TURNPIKE BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 165 AND 193.

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 70 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 348 AND 355.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM...EVACUATE MOBILE HOMES AND GO
TO A BASEMENT OR STORM SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT
IN THE NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3918 9558 3912 9541 3902 9541 3886 9542
      3886 9586 3895 9594 3905 9595
TIME...MOT...LOC 2308Z 254DEG 20KT 3895 9584
HAIL 2.75IN

$$

ANGLE
6 follow-up statements
861 
WWUS53 KTOP 212316
SVSTOP

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

KSC045-087-139-177-220000-
/O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-110522T0000Z/
SHAWNEE-OSAGE-JEFFERSON-DOUGLAS-
616 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN DOUGLAS...SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON...EXTREME NORTHEASTERN
OSAGE AND SHAWNEE COUNTIES...

AT 609 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL 4 MILES
WEST OF FORBES FIELD...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH. TAKE COVER NOW!

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
PAULINE...TOPEKA...FORBES FIELD...BERRYTON...BILLARD 
AIRPORT...TECUMSEH...RICHLAND AND GRANTVILLE.

THIS INCLUDES THE KANSAS TURNPIKE BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 165 AND 193.

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 70 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 348 AND 355.

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 3895 9593 3905 9594 3918 9558 3912 9541
      3902 9541 3886 9542 3886 9586
TIME...MOT...LOC 2314Z 260DEG 21KT 3894 9578
HAIL 2.75IN

$$

ANGLE
963 
WWUS53 KTOP 212324
SVSTOP

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

KSC045-087-139-177-220000-
/O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-110522T0000Z/
SHAWNEE-OSAGE-JEFFERSON-DOUGLAS-
624 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN DOUGLAS...SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON...EXTREME NORTHEASTERN
OSAGE AND SHAWNEE COUNTIES...

AT 618 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD. 
THIS FUNNEL CLOUD WAS LOCATED IN SOUTH TOPEKA...MOVING EAST AT 
25 MPH.

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM WITH A HISTORY OF PRODUCING NUMEROUS 
FUNNELS AND BASEBALL SIZE HAIL. SEEK SHELTER NOW!

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
PAULINE...SOUTH CENTRAL TOPEKA...FORBES FIELD...BERRYTON...BILLARD
AIRPORT...RICHLAND...TECUMSEH AND GRANTVILLE.

THIS INCLUDES THE KANSAS TURNPIKE BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 165 AND 193.

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 70 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 348 AND 355.

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 3895 9593 3905 9594 3918 9558 3912 9541
      3902 9541 3886 9542 3886 9586
TIME...MOT...LOC 2323Z 259DEG 22KT 3896 9572
HAIL 2.75IN

$$

ANGLE
777 
WWUS53 KTOP 212329
SVSTOP

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

KSC045-087-139-177-220000-
/O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-110522T0000Z/
SHAWNEE-OSAGE-JEFFERSON-DOUGLAS-
629 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN DOUGLAS...SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON...EXTREME NORTHEASTERN
OSAGE AND SHAWNEE COUNTIES...

AT 623 PM CDT...EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IS REPORTING A FUNNEL CLOUD
NEAR SHAWNEE LAKE IN TOPEKA...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.

SEEK SHELTER NOW! THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM THAT COULD PRODUCE A
TORNADO ANY TIME!!!

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...FORBES FIELD...TOPEKA...BERRYTON...
BILLARD AIRPORT...RICHLAND...TECUMSEH AND GRANTVILLE.

THIS INCLUDES THE KANSAS TURNPIKE BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 169 AND 193.

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 70 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 350 AND 355.

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 3897 9582 3907 9588 3918 9558 3912 9541
      3902 9541 3886 9542 3886 9577
TIME...MOT...LOC 2327Z 259DEG 22KT 3896 9569
HAIL 2.75IN

$$

ANGLE
601 
WWUS53 KTOP 212339
SVSTOP

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

KSC045-087-139-177-220000-
/O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-110522T0000Z/
SHAWNEE-OSAGE-JEFFERSON-DOUGLAS-
639 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN DOUGLAS...SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON...EXTREME NORTHEASTERN
OSAGE AND SHAWNEE COUNTIES...

AT 637 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD
NEAR INTERSTATE 470 AND STATE HIGHWAY 75...MOVING NORTHEAST
AT 25 MPH.

THIS SEVERE THUNDERSTORM COULD PRODUCE A TORNADO AT ANY TIME!
SEEK SHELTER NOW!!! BASEBALL SIZE HAIL IS ALSO LIKELY WITH THIS
STORM!

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
EAST CENTRAL TOPEKA...BILLARD AIRPORT...TECUMSEH AND GRANTVILLE.

THIS INCLUDES THE KANSAS TURNPIKE BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 170 AND 193.

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 70 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 350 AND 355.

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 3897 9582 3907 9588 3918 9558 3912 9541
      3902 9541 3886 9542 3886 9577
TIME...MOT...LOC 2338Z 240DEG 22KT 3901 9565
HAIL 2.75IN

$$

ANGLE
677 
WWUS53 KTOP 212350
SVSTOP

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

KSC139-212359-
/O.CAN.KTOP.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-110522T0000Z/
OSAGE-
650 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EXTREME NORTHEASTERN OSAGE 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 3899 9541 3898 9565 3911 9578 3918 9558
      3912 9541 3902 9541
TIME...MOT...LOC 2349Z 240DEG 22KT 3904 9557

$$

KSC045-087-177-220000-
/O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-110522T0000Z/
SHAWNEE-JEFFERSON-DOUGLAS-
650 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN DOUGLAS...SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON AND EAST CENTRAL
SHAWNEE COUNTIES...

AT 646 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A TORNADO. 
THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NORTHEAST OF BILLARD AIRPORT...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH.

SEEK SHELTER NOW! THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM! BASEBALL SIZE HAIL
IS ALSO LIKELY!

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
GRANTVILLE.

THIS INCLUDES THE KANSAS TURNPIKE BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 179 AND 193.

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 3899 9541 3898 9565 3911 9578 3918 9558
      3912 9541 3902 9541
TIME...MOT...LOC 2349Z 240DEG 22KT 3904 9557
HAIL 2.75IN

$$

ANGLE
516 
WWUS53 KTOP 220001
SVSTOP

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

KSC045-087-177-220007-
/O.EXP.KTOP.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-110522T0000Z/
SHAWNEE-JEFFERSON-DOUGLAS-
701 PM CDT SAT MAY 21 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SHAWNEE COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 700 PM
CDT...

AT 657 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.

THIS SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO IS MOVING
INTO JEFFERSON COUNTY. THE THREAT OF A TORNADO IN TOPEKA HAS ENDED
WITH THIS STORM.

A TORNADO WARNING CONTINUES FOR PORTIONS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY AND
NORTHWESTERN DOUGLAS COUNTY.


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 3899 9541 3898 9565 3911 9578 3918 9558
      3912 9541 3902 9541
TIME...MOT...LOC 2357Z 240DEG 22KT 3906 9552

$$

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, 6:11 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, 6:47 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPDouglas, Jefferson58 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.