Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 16, NWS Wichita, KS

April 14, 20124 counties in Kansas

NWS Wichita, KS issued this tornado warning at Apr 14, 2012, 5:43 PM CDT for 4 counties in Kansas. It was in force for 47 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
Apr 14, 2012, 5:43 PM CDT (22:43 UTC)
Expired
Apr 14, 2012, 6:30 PM CDT
In force
47 min
Issued by
NWS Wichita, KS
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Observed
Damage threat
Significant
Hail
2.5 in

Counties Ellsworth County, KS, McPherson County, KS, Rice County, KS, Saline County, KS

The radar

The Wichita radar (KICT), 112 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:42 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
Apr 14, 5:45 PM CDTTORNADO8 Nw Little River, KSWEDGE TORNADO STILL ON GROUND.
Apr 14, 6:01 PM CDTTORNADO6 W Marquette, KSLARGE WEDGE TORNADO ON GROUND.
Apr 14, 6:09 PM CDTTORNADO3 Nw Marquette, KSA LARGE TORNADO ABOUT ONE QUARTER MILE WIDE WAS NEAR K4 AND HIGHWAY 141. TORNADO WAS NOW ENTERING INTO SALINE COUNTY.
Apr 14, 6:09 PM CDTTORNADO8 Wsw Assaria, KSA TORNADO ON THE GROUND JUST SOUTHWEST OF THE TOWN OF FALUN. ALSO SEEING DEBRI.

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
Apr 14, 10:43 AM CDTTornado Watch PDSSPC7 hr
Apr 14, 5:24 PM CDTTornado Watch PDSSPC9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Dodge City, (KDDC), launched 12:00Z, 10.7 hours before the alert went out and 195 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, Dodge City, at 12:00Z on 2012-04-14Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1516 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, Dodge City, at 12:00Z on 2012-04-14The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 413 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
1516 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-96 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
527 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
54 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
413 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
432 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
11.6

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

975 
WFUS53 KICT 142243
TORICT
KSC053-113-159-169-142330-
/O.NEW.KICT.TO.W.0016.120414T2243Z-120414T2330Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
543 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WICHITA HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHEASTERN ELLSWORTH COUNTY IN CENTRAL KANSAS...
  NORTHWESTERN MCPHERSON COUNTY IN CENTRAL KANSAS...
  NORTHEASTERN RICE COUNTY IN CENTRAL KANSAS...
  SOUTHWESTERN SALINE COUNTY IN CENTRAL KANSAS...

* UNTIL 630 PM CDT

* AT 542 PM CDT...A CONFIRMED LARGE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TORNADO
  WAS LOCATED 5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF GENESEO...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT
  35 MPH.

  THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

  HAZARD...DAMAGING TORNADO.

  SOURCE...LAW ENFORCEMENT CONFIRMED TORNADO.

  IMPACT...MAJOR HOUSE AND BUILDING DAMAGE LIKELY AND COMPLETE
           DESTRUCTION POSSIBLE. NUMEROUS TREES SNAPPED. MAJOR POWER
           OUTAGES IN PATH OF TORNADO HIGHLY LIKELY. SOME ROADS
           POSSIBLY BLOCKED BY TORNADO DEBRIS. COMPLETE DESTRUCTION
           OF VEHICLES LIKELY.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  MARQUETTE AND LINDSBORG.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THIS TORNADO WARNING REPLACES THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING THAT
WAS IN EFFECT FOR THE SAME AREA.

&&

LAT...LON 3878 9782 3853 9763 3836 9811 3849 9824
TIME...MOT...LOC 2243Z 236DEG 31KT 3848 9806

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...SIGNIFICANT
HAIL...2.50IN

$$

BILLINGS
3 follow-up statements
895 
WWUS53 KICT 142255
SVSICT

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
555 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2012

KSC159-142305-
/O.CAN.KICT.TO.W.0016.000000T0000Z-120414T2330Z/
RICE KS-
555 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN RICE COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

THE STORM WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS MOVED OUT OF THE WARNED 
AREA.

LAT...LON 3856 9765 3848 9792 3852 9793 3853 9819
      3878 9782
TIME...MOT...LOC 2255Z 230DEG 35KT 3856 9796

$$

KSC053-113-169-142330-
/O.CON.KICT.TO.W.0016.000000T0000Z-120414T2330Z/
SALINE KS-MCPHERSON KS-ELLSWORTH KS-
555 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHEASTERN ELLSWORTH...
NORTHWESTERN MCPHERSON AND SOUTHWESTERN SALINE COUNTIES UNTIL 630 PM
CDT...

AT 552 PM CDT...A CONFIRMED LARGE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TORNADO WAS
LOCATED 8 MILES SOUTH OF KANOPOLIS STATE PARK...AND MOVING NORTHEAST
AT 40 MPH.

THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

HAZARD...DAMAGING TORNADO.

SOURCE...LAW ENFORCEMENT CONFIRMED TORNADO.

IMPACT...MAJOR HOUSE AND BUILDING DAMAGE LIKELY AND COMPLETE
         DESTRUCTION POSSIBLE. NUMEROUS TREES SNAPPED. MAJOR POWER
         OUTAGES IN PATH OF TORNADO HIGHLY LIKELY. SOME ROADS
         POSSIBLY BLOCKED BY TORNADO DEBRIS. COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF
         VEHICLES LIKELY.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
MARQUETTE AND LINDSBORG.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TO REPEAT...A LARGE...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY
TORNADO IS ON THE GROUND. TO PROTECT YOUR LIFE...TAKE COVER NOW. MOVE
TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A STURDY BUILDING. AVOID
WINDOWS. IF IN A MOBILE HOME...A VEHICLE OR OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE
CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER AND PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FLYING DEBRIS.

&&

LAT...LON 3856 9765 3848 9792 3852 9793 3853 9819
      3878 9782
TIME...MOT...LOC 2255Z 230DEG 35KT 3856 9796

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...SIGNIFICANT
HAIL...2.50IN

$$

BILLINGS
580 
WWUS53 KICT 142307
SVSICT

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
607 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2012

KSC053-113-169-142330-
/O.CON.KICT.TO.W.0016.000000T0000Z-120414T2330Z/
SALINE KS-MCPHERSON KS-ELLSWORTH KS-
607 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHEASTERN ELLSWORTH...
NORTHWESTERN MCPHERSON AND SOUTHWESTERN SALINE COUNTIES UNTIL 630 PM
CDT...

AT 606 PM CDT...A CONFIRMED LARGE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TORNADO WAS
LOCATED 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF MARQUETTE...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35
MPH.

THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

HAZARD...DAMAGING TORNADO.

SOURCE...LAW ENFORCEMENT CONFIRMED TORNADO.

IMPACT...MAJOR HOUSE AND BUILDING DAMAGE LIKELY AND COMPLETE
         DESTRUCTION POSSIBLE. NUMEROUS TREES SNAPPED. MAJOR POWER
         OUTAGES IN PATH OF TORNADO HIGHLY LIKELY. SOME ROADS
         POSSIBLY BLOCKED BY TORNADO DEBRIS. COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF
         VEHICLES LIKELY.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
LINDSBORG.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TO REPEAT...A LARGE...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY
TORNADO IS ON THE GROUND. TO PROTECT YOUR LIFE...TAKE COVER NOW. MOVE
TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A STURDY BUILDING. AVOID
WINDOWS. IF IN A MOBILE HOME...A VEHICLE OR OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE
CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER AND PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FLYING DEBRIS.

&&

LAT...LON 3856 9765 3848 9792 3852 9793 3853 9819
      3878 9782
TIME...MOT...LOC 2307Z 225DEG 31KT 3863 9788

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...SIGNIFICANT
HAIL...2.50IN

$$

BILLINGS
998 
WWUS53 KICT 142313 RRA
SVSICT

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
613 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2012

KSC053-113-142324-
/O.CAN.KICT.TO.W.0016.000000T0000Z-120414T2330Z/
MCPHERSON KS-ELLSWORTH KS-
613 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN ELLSWORTH AND NORTHWESTERN
MCPHERSON COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

THE STORM WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS MOVED OUT OF THE WARNED 
AREA.

LAT...LON 3861 9769 3861 9792 3871 9793 3878 9782
TIME...MOT...LOC 2314Z 235DEG 30KT 3866 9783

$$

KSC169-142330-
/O.CON.KICT.TO.W.0016.000000T0000Z-120414T2330Z/
SALINE KS-
613 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHWESTERN SALINE COUNTY
UNTIL 630 PM CDT...

AT 611 PM CDT...A CONFIRMED LARGE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TORNADO WAS
LOCATED 6 MILES NORTH OF MARQUETTE...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH.

THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

HAZARD...DAMAGING TORNADO.

SOURCE...LAW ENFORCEMENT CONFIRMED TORNADO.

IMPACT...MAJOR HOUSE AND BUILDING DAMAGE LIKELY AND COMPLETE
         DESTRUCTION POSSIBLE. NUMEROUS TREES SNAPPED. MAJOR POWER
         OUTAGES IN PATH OF TORNADO HIGHLY LIKELY. SOME ROADS
         POSSIBLY BLOCKED BY TORNADO DEBRIS. COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF
         VEHICLES LIKELY.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF SOUTHWESTERN SALINE COUNTY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TO REPEAT...A LARGE...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY
TORNADO IS ON THE GROUND. TO PROTECT YOUR LIFE...TAKE COVER NOW. MOVE
TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A STURDY BUILDING. AVOID
WINDOWS. IF IN A MOBILE HOME...A VEHICLE OR OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE
CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER AND PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FLYING DEBRIS.

&&

LAT...LON 3861 9769 3861 9792 3871 9793 3878 9782
TIME...MOT...LOC 2314Z 235DEG 30KT 3866 9783

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...SIGNIFICANT
HAIL...2.50IN

$$

BILLINGS

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 13, 7:00 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementICTElk45 min
Apr 13, 7:10 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementICTWilson50 min
Apr 13, 7:23 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementICTSumner52 min
Apr 13, 7:58 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementICTSedgwick47 min
Apr 13, 9:26 PM CDTWind AdvisoryICTBarton, Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Cowley, Elk and 14 more25 hr
Apr 13, 9:59 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementICTCowley31 min
Apr 13, 10:56 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementICTElk34 min
Apr 13, 11:14 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementICTElk31 min
Apr 14, 12:09 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementICTWoodson36 min
Apr 14, 12:23 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementICTGreenwood52 min
Apr 14, 12:39 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningICTElk, Greenwood, Wilson, Woodson37 min
Apr 14, 4:58 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementICTLabette47 min
Apr 14, 10:55 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningICTBarton, Russell50 min
Apr 14, 12:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningICTBarton, Russell45 min
Apr 14, 1:15 PM CDTTornado WarningICTRussell30 min
Apr 14, 1:23 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningICTRussell2 hr
Apr 14, 1:43 PM CDTTornado WarningICTLincoln, Russell21 min
Apr 14, 4:11 PM CDTTornado WarningICTBarton, Russell17 min
Apr 14, 4:34 PM CDTTornado WarningICTBarton, Rice41 min
Apr 14, 4:59 PM CDTTornado WarningICTKingman, Reno46 min
Apr 14, 5:13 PM CDTTornado WarningICTRice32 min
Apr 14, 5:26 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementICTEllsworth34 min
Apr 14, 5:33 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningICTEllsworth, Saline42 min
Apr 14, 5:36 PM CDTTornado WarningICTReno39 min
Apr 14, 5:58 PM CDTTornado WarningICTKingman47 min
Apr 14, 6:19 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedSignificant damage threatICTSaline41 min
Apr 14, 6:31 PM CDTTornado WarningICTKingman, Reno44 min
Apr 14, 6:57 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedSignificant damage threatICTSaline13 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Kansas, 2012Every tornado warning in 2012Tornadoes in 2012

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.