Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 17, NWS Topeka, KS

April 15, 20124 counties in Kansas

NWS Topeka, KS issued this tornado warning at Apr 15, 2012, 12:47 AM CDT for 4 counties in Kansas. It was in force for 28 min. 2 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 15, 2012, 12:47 AM CDT (05:47 UTC)
Expired: Apr 15, 2012, 1:15 AM CDT
In force: 28 min
Issued by: NWS Topeka, KS
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 2.5 in

Counties Clay County, KS, Dickinson County, KS, Geary County, KS, Riley County, KS

The radar

The Topeka radar (KTWX), 68 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 05:48 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
Apr 15, 12:58 AM CDT	HAIL 2	Wakefield, KS
Apr 15, 1:05 AM CDT	HAIL 4	7 N Wakefield, KS	GRAPEFRUIT SIZE HAIL PUT HOLES IN ROOFS OF CARS AND BROKE ALL WEST FACING HOUSE WINDOWS. TIME ESTIMATED.

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
Apr 14, 5:24 PM CDT	Tornado Watch PDS	SPC	9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Topeka, KS (KTOP), launched 00:00Z, 5.8 hours before the alert went out and 116 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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.

838 
WFUS53 KTOP 150547
TORTOP
KSC027-041-061-161-150615-
/O.NEW.KTOP.TO.W.0017.120415T0547Z-120415T0615Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
1247 AM CDT SUN APR 15 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TOPEKA HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHEASTERN CLAY COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL KANSAS...
  NORTH CENTRAL DICKINSON COUNTY IN CENTRAL KANSAS...
  NORTHWESTERN GEARY COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL KANSAS...
  WESTERN RILEY COUNTY IN NORTHEAST KANSAS...

* UNTIL 115 AM CDT

* AT 1244 AM CDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A
  TORNADO WAS LOCATED 9 MILES SOUTHWEST OF WAKEFIELD...AND MOVING
  NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

  HAZARD...DEVELOPING TORNADO AND TENNIS BALL SIZE HAIL.

  SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED ROTATION.

  IMPACT...SIGNIFICANT HOUSE AND BUILDING DAMAGE POSSIBLE. MOBILE
           HOMES COMPLETELY DESTROYED IF HIT. SOME TREES UPROOTED OR
           SNAPPED. VEHICLES WILL LIKELY BE THROWN BY TORNADIC WINDS.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  WAKEFIELD...MILFORD LAKE...MILFORD...RILEY...LEONARDVILLE AND
  KEATS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3945 9683 3921 9666 3902 9717 3920 9724
TIME...MOT...LOC 0547Z 238DEG 44KT 3915 9709

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...2.50IN

$$

BARJENBRUCH

2 follow-up statements

761 
WWUS53 KTOP 150557
SVSTOP

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
1257 AM CDT SUN APR 15 2012

KSC041-150606-
/O.CAN.KTOP.TO.W.0017.000000T0000Z-120415T0615Z/
DICKINSON KS-
1257 AM CDT SUN APR 15 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL DICKINSON COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

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

LAT...LON 3921 9666 3913 9696 3914 9709 3926 9709
      3945 9683
TIME...MOT...LOC 0556Z 239DEG 49KT 3924 9697

$$

KSC027-061-161-150615-
/O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0017.000000T0000Z-120415T0615Z/
RILEY KS-CLAY KS-GEARY KS-
1257 AM CDT SUN APR 15 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHWESTERN GEARY...
SOUTHEASTERN CLAY AND WESTERN RILEY COUNTIES UNTIL 115 AM CDT...

AT 1253 AM CDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO
WAS LOCATED NEAR WAKEFIELD...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

HAZARD...DEVELOPING TORNADO AND TENNIS BALL SIZE HAIL.

SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED ROTATION.

IMPACT...SIGNIFICANT HOUSE AND BUILDING DAMAGE POSSIBLE. MOBILE HOMES
         COMPLETELY DESTROYED IF HIT. SOME TREES UPROOTED OR SNAPPED.
         VEHICLES WILL LIKELY BE THROWN BY TORNADIC WINDS.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
RILEY...LEONARDVILLE...KEATS AND NORTHERN MILFORD LAKE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3921 9666 3913 9696 3914 9709 3926 9709
      3945 9683
TIME...MOT...LOC 0556Z 239DEG 49KT 3924 9697

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...2.50IN

$$

BARJENBRUCH

341 
WWUS53 KTOP 150607 RRA
SVSTOP

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
107 AM CDT SUN APR 15 2012

KSC027-061-150617-
/O.CAN.KTOP.TO.W.0017.000000T0000Z-120415T0615Z/
CLAY KS-GEARY KS-
107 AM CDT SUN APR 15 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN GEARY AND SOUTHEASTERN CLAY
COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

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

LAT...LON 3924 9668 3923 9693 3934 9693 3943 9681
      3928 9671
TIME...MOT...LOC 0607Z 239DEG 49KT 3931 9680

$$

KSC161-150615-
/O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0017.000000T0000Z-120415T0615Z/
RILEY KS-
107 AM CDT SUN APR 15 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR CENTRAL RILEY COUNTY UNTIL
115 AM CDT...

AT 102 AM CDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 
WAS LOCATED NEAR RILEY...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH. IN 
ADDITION...HEN EGG SIZED HAIL WAS REPORTED NEAR WAKEFIELD. CAR 
WINDSHIELDS WERE BROKEN.

HAZARD...DEVELOPING TORNADO AND TENNIS BALL SIZE HAIL.

SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED ROTATION.

IMPACT...SIGNIFICANT HOUSE AND BUILDING DAMAGE POSSIBLE. MOBILE HOMES
         COMPLETELY DESTROYED IF HIT. SOME TREES UPROOTED OR SNAPPED.
         VEHICLES WILL LIKELY BE THROWN BY TORNADIC WINDS.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
RILEY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3924 9668 3923 9693 3934 9693 3943 9681
      3928 9671
TIME...MOT...LOC 0607Z 239DEG 49KT 3931 9680

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...2.50IN

$$

BARJENBRUCH

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Apr 14, 7:24 PM CDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	TOP	Clay, Dickinson	51 min
Apr 14, 8:01 PM CDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	TOP	Clay, Riley	29 min
Apr 14, 8:43 PM CDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	TOP	Dickinson, Morris	47 min
Apr 14, 9:22 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	TOP	Geary, Morris, Wabaunsee	38 min
Apr 14, 11:08 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	TOP	Dickinson	37 min
Apr 14, 11:31 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TOP	Ottawa	29 min
Apr 14, 11:36 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TOP	Clay, Dickinson, Geary, Riley	20 min
Apr 14, 11:48 PM CDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	TOP	Lyon	42 min
Apr 15, 12:00 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TOP	Clay, Dickinson, Ottawa	45 min
Apr 15, 12:41 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TOP	Clay, Dickinson, Geary, Riley	49 min
Apr 15, 12:52 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TOP	Brown, Marshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomie	38 min
Apr 15, 1:15 AM CDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	TOP	Pottawatomie, Riley	15 min
Apr 15, 1:30 AM CDT	Tornado Warning	TOP	Marshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomie	30 min
Apr 15, 1:38 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TOP	Clay, Riley, Washington	37 min
Apr 15, 1:51 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TOP	Jackson, Marshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomie	34 min
Apr 15, 2:13 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TOP	Marshall, Pottawatomie, Riley	24 min
Apr 15, 3:15 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TOP	Wabaunsee	15 min
Apr 15, 3:24 AM CDT	Wind Advisory	TOP	Anderson, Brown, Clay, Cloud, Coffey, Dickinson and 17 more	17 hr
Apr 15, 3:30 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TOP	Jackson, Shawnee	30 min
Apr 15, 3:59 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TOP	Jefferson	31 min
Apr 15, 4:13 AM CDT	Areal Flood Warning	TOP	Nemaha	3 hr
Apr 15, 4:22 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	TOP	Riley	15 hr
Apr 15, 5:06 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TOP	Anderson, Coffey, Douglas, Franklin, Osage	54 min
Apr 15, 7:40 AM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	TOP	Clay, Dickinson, Ottawa	2 hr
Apr 15, 7:53 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	TOP	Clay	7 hr
Apr 15, 8:32 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	TOP	Marshall	7 hr
Apr 15, 9:29 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	TOP	Cloud	4 hr
Apr 15, 9:45 AM CDT	Areal Flood Warning	TOP	Clay	3 hr

Nearby

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