Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 36, NWS Wichita, KS

April 14, 2012McPherson County, Saline County, Kansas

NWS Wichita, KS issued this tornado warning at Apr 14, 2012, 10:40 PM CDT for McPherson County, Saline County, Kansas. It was in force for 50 min. 7 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, 10:40 PM CDT (03:40 UTC)
Expired
Apr 14, 2012, 11:30 PM CDT
In force
50 min
Issued by
NWS Wichita, KS
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Observed
Damage threat
Significant
Hail
1.75 in

Counties McPherson County, KS, Saline County, KS

The radar

The Topeka radar (KTWX), 118 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:42 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, 10:44 PM CDTTORNADO2 Nw Lindsborg, KSPOWER FLASHES NOTED.
Apr 14, 10:55 PM CDTTORNADO5 Ne Lindsborg, KSILLUMINATED BY LIGHTNING.
Apr 14, 10:57 PM CDTHAIL 1.75Salina, KS
Apr 14, 10:59 PM CDTTORNADO1 S Salina, KSPOWER FLASHES PARSONS ROAD AND I-135.
Apr 14, 11:01 PM CDTHAIL 0.75Salina, KS
Apr 14, 11:01 PM CDTHAIL 1.75Salina, KSAT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER IN SALINA.
Apr 14, 11:22 PM CDTTORNADO1 Ene New Cambria, 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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Apr 14, 5:24 PM CDTTornado Watch PDSSPC9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Topeka, KS (KTOP), launched 00:00Z, 3.7 hours before the alert went out and 169 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 00:00Z on 2012-04-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1788 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 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, Topeka, KS at 00:00Z on 2012-04-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 401 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
1788 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-2 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
665 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
58 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
401 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
443 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
5.2
Supercell composite
17.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

523 
WFUS53 KICT 150340
TORICT
KSC113-169-150430-
/O.NEW.KICT.TO.W.0036.120415T0340Z-120415T0430Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
1040 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WICHITA HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTH CENTRAL MCPHERSON COUNTY IN CENTRAL KANSAS...
  SALINE COUNTY IN CENTRAL KANSAS...

* UNTIL 1130 PM CDT

* AT 1036 PM CDT...A CONFIRMED LARGE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TORNADO
  WAS LOCATED NEAR MARQUETTE...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

  THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION!

  HAZARD...DAMAGING TORNADO.

  SOURCE...RADAR 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...
  SALINA...LINDSBORG...SMOLAN...ASSARIA...GYPSUM...NEW CAMBRIA...
  BRIDGEPORT AND SALINA AIRPORT.

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 70 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 246 AND 266. THIS
INCLUDES INTERSTATE 135 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 75 AND 95.

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.

THIS STORM HAS A HISTORY OF PRODUCING LARGE TORNADOES! TAKE COVER IN 
A BASEMENT OR STORM SHELTER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 3871 9737 3852 9771 3872 9792 3896 9765
      3897 9737
TIME...MOT...LOC 0339Z 227DEG 47KT 3864 9780

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...SIGNIFICANT
HAIL...1.75IN

$$

SCHMINKE
2 follow-up statements
285 
WWUS53 KICT 150355
SVSICT

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
1055 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2012

KSC113-169-150430-
/O.CON.KICT.TO.W.0036.000000T0000Z-120415T0430Z/
SALINE KS-MCPHERSON KS-
1055 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR NORTH CENTRAL MCPHERSON
AND SALINE COUNTIES UNTIL 1130 PM CDT...

AT 1050 PM CDT...A CONFIRMED LARGE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TORNADO
WAS LOCATED NEAR SMOLAN...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION!

HAZARD...DAMAGING TORNADO.

SOURCE...RADAR 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...
SALINA...GYPSUM...NEW CAMBRIA AND SALINA AIRPORT.

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 70 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 246 AND 266. THIS
INCLUDES INTERSTATE 135 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 75 AND 95.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

HEAVY RAINFALL MAY HIDE THIS TORNADO. DO NOT WAIT TO SEE OR HEAR THE 
TORNADO. TAKE COVER NOW!

THIS STORM HAS A HISTORY OF PRODUCING TORNADOES. TAKE COVER IN A
BASEMENT OR STORM SHELTER NOW!

TORNADOES ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE AND CONFIRM AT NIGHT. TAKE COVER NOW.

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER CONTACT YOUR NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.
THEY WILL SEND YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN
WICHITA.

&&

LAT...LON 3871 9737 3852 9771 3872 9792 3896 9765
      3897 9737
TIME...MOT...LOC 0353Z 227DEG 47KT 3874 9762

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...SIGNIFICANT
HAIL...1.75IN

$$

SCHMINKE
411 
WWUS53 KICT 150410
SVSICT

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
1110 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2012

KSC113-169-150430-
/O.CON.KICT.TO.W.0036.000000T0000Z-120415T0430Z/
SALINE KS-MCPHERSON KS-
1110 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR NORTH CENTRAL MCPHERSON
AND SALINE COUNTIES UNTIL 1130 PM CDT...

AT 1104 PM CDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A 
TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR NEW CAMBRIA...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 
MPH.

HAZARD...DAMAGING TORNADO.

SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED ROTATION.

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 NORTHEASTERN SALINE COUNTY.

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 70 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 246 AND 266. THIS
INCLUDES INTERSTATE 135 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 75 AND 95.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THIS STORM HAS A HISTORY OF PRODUCING TORNADOES. TAKE COVER IN A
BASEMENT OR STORM SHELTER NOW!

TORNADOES ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE AND CONFIRM AT NIGHT. TAKE COVER NOW.

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER CONTACT YOUR NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.
THEY WILL SEND YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN
WICHITA.

&&

LAT...LON 3871 9737 3852 9771 3872 9792 3896 9765
      3897 9737
TIME...MOT...LOC 0410Z 227DEG 47KT 3889 9741

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...SIGNIFICANT
HAIL...1.25IN

$$

SCHMINKE

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 14, 7:12 PM CDTTornado WarningICTReno37 min
Apr 14, 7:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningICTHarvey, McPherson, Marion, Reno41 min
Apr 14, 7:43 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementICTRussell32 min
Apr 14, 7:45 PM CDTTornado WarningICTHarper28 min
Apr 14, 7:47 PM CDTTornado WarningICTHarvey, McPherson, Marion28 min
Apr 14, 7:54 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningICTRussell20 min
Apr 14, 7:54 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningICTBarton36 min
Apr 14, 8:10 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedICTMcPherson, Marion50 min
Apr 14, 8:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningICTBarton, Ellsworth, Lincoln, Russell46 min
Apr 14, 8:22 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedICTHarper38 min
Apr 14, 8:32 PM CDTTornado WarningICTLincoln, Russell28 min
Apr 14, 8:40 PM CDTTornado WarningICTMarion31 min
Apr 14, 8:47 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedSignificant damage threatICTHarper, Sumner43 min
Apr 14, 9:19 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyTornado observedSignificant damage threatICTSumner41 min
Apr 14, 9:30 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedSignificant damage threatICTSedgwick45 min
Apr 14, 9:32 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedICTBarton, Reno, Rice43 min
Apr 14, 10:09 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedSignificant damage threatICTSedgwick51 min
Apr 14, 10:10 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedSignificant damage threatICTEllsworth, McPherson, Rice32 min
Apr 14, 10:13 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedICTEllsworth, McPherson, Rice, Saline37 min
Apr 14, 10:27 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyTornado observedCatastrophic damage threatICTButler, Sedgwick33 min
Apr 14, 10:38 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningICTSedgwick3 hr
Apr 14, 10:41 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedSignificant damage threatICTButler49 min
Apr 14, 10:47 PM CDTTornado WarningICTEllsworth, Rice43 min
Apr 14, 11:03 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningICTButler3 hr
Apr 14, 11:12 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningICTBarton, Ellsworth, Rice, Saline4 hr
Apr 14, 11:24 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedICTButler, Chase, Greenwood51 min
Apr 14, 11:27 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedICTEllsworth, Lincoln, Saline48 min
Apr 15, 12:11 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementICTEllsworth, Rice34 min
Apr 15, 12:33 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningICTRice27 min
Apr 15, 12:48 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningICTHarper42 min
Apr 15, 1:02 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningICTKingman43 min
Apr 15, 1:29 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningICTHarvey, Reno, Sedgwick, Sumner46 min
Apr 15, 2:36 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementICTButler39 min
Apr 15, 3:40 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementICTCowley35 min
Apr 15, 4:03 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementICTChautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Montgomery, Wilson, Woodson27 min
Apr 15, 4:03 AM CDTWind AdvisoryICTAllen, Barton, Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Cowley and 20 more16 hr
Apr 15, 5:01 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningICTAllen, Labette, Montgomery, Neosho, Wilson, Woodson59 min
Apr 15, 6:03 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningICTLabette, Montgomery42 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.