Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2014

Tornado Warning 4, NWS Wichita, KS

May 11, 2014McPherson County, Rice County, Kansas

NWS Wichita, KS issued this tornado warning at May 11, 2014, 9:27 PM CDT for McPherson County, Rice County, Kansas. It was in force for 33 min. 10 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 11, 2014, 9:27 PM CDT (02:27 UTC)
Expired: May 11, 2014, 10:00 PM CDT
In force: 33 min
Issued by: NWS Wichita, KS
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Observed
Hail: 1.75 in

Counties McPherson County, KS, Rice County, KS

The radar

The Wichita radar (KICT), 88 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:26 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 11, 9:35 PM CDT	HAIL 1.25	7 Wsw Mcpherson, KS	DELAYED REPORT FROM COCORAHS
May 11, 9:47 PM CDT	HAIL 1.5	7 Wnw Mcpherson, KS	TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTS QUARTER TO PING PONG BALL SIZED HAIL.
May 11, 9:49 PM CDT	HAIL 1.75	Windom, KS
May 11, 9:49 PM CDT	HAIL 1.75	Windom, KS
May 11, 9:51 PM CDT	TORNADO	4 N Inman, KS	POWER FLASHES FROM A BRIEF TOUCHDOWN.
May 11, 9:52 PM CDT	TORNADO	7 Sw Mcpherson, KS	POWER POLES ARE REPORTED TO BE DOWN AT 8TH AND DAKOTA WHICH IS NORTHWEST OF GROVELAND. TIME IS BASED ON PREVIOUS REPORTS OF TORNADO IN THAT AREA.
May 11, 9:54 PM CDT	TORNADO	4 Sw Mcpherson, KS	TORNADO REPORTED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 61 AND CHEROKEE.
May 11, 10:02 PM CDT	TSTM WND GST 64	Mcpherson Airport, KS
May 11, 10:05 PM CDT	TORNADO	1 Se Mcpherson, KS
May 11, 10:07 PM CDT	TORNADO	Mcpherson, KS	TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTS VIA KSN OF A TORNADO PASSED THE INTERSTATE 135 EXIT IN MCPHERSON.

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 11, 2:38 PM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Topeka, KS (KFOE), launched 00:00Z, 2.5 hours before the alert went out and 206 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: 1294 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -118 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1661 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 37 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 94 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 264 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.1
Supercell composite: 6.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

425 
WFUS53 KICT 120227
TORICT
KSC113-159-120300-
/O.NEW.KICT.TO.W.0004.140512T0227Z-140512T0300Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
927 PM CDT SUN MAY 11 2014

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WICHITA HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  WESTERN MCPHERSON COUNTY IN CENTRAL KANSAS...
  EASTERN RICE COUNTY IN CENTRAL KANSAS...

* UNTIL 1000 PM CDT

* AT 923 PM CDT...A CONFIRMED TORNADO WAS LOCATED 8 MILES NORTHEAST
  OF NICKERSON...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

  HAZARD...DAMAGING TORNADO AND GOLF BALL SIZE HAIL.

  SOURCE...WEATHER SPOTTERS CONFIRMED TORNADO.

  IMPACT...FLYING DEBRIS WILL BE DANGEROUS TO THOSE CAUGHT WITHOUT
           SHELTER. MOBILE HOMES WILL BE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. DAMAGE
           TO ROOFS...WINDOWS AND VEHICLES WILL OCCUR. TREE DAMAGE IS
           LIKELY.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  WINDOM AND INMAN AROUND 935 PM CDT.
  MCPHERSON AROUND 950 PM CDT.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE MCPHERSON AIRPORT.

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 135 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 51 AND 77.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TO REPEAT...A TORNADO IS ON THE GROUND. 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 3817 9753 3817 9808 3818 9813 3836 9813
      3852 9799 3852 9792 3860 9792 3861 9758
TIME...MOT...LOC 0227Z 241DEG 39KT 3826 9795

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.75IN

$$

BILLINGS WRIGHT

2 follow-up statements

413 
WWUS53 KICT 120241
SVSICT

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
941 PM CDT SUN MAY 11 2014

KSC159-120251-
/O.CAN.KICT.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-140512T0300Z/
RICE KS-
941 PM CDT SUN MAY 11 2014

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

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

LAT...LON 3817 9753 3817 9792 3821 9792 3860 9792
      3861 9758
TIME...MOT...LOC 0241Z 255DEG 34KT 3831 9779

$$

KSC113-120300-
/O.CON.KICT.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-140512T0300Z/
MCPHERSON KS-
941 PM CDT SUN MAY 11 2014

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR WESTERN MCPHERSON COUNTY
UNTIL 1000 PM CDT...

AT 939 PM CDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO
WAS LOCATED 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF INMAN...AND MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.

HAZARD...TORNADO AND GOLF BALL SIZE HAIL.

SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED ROTATION.

IMPACT...FLYING DEBRIS WILL BE DANGEROUS TO THOSE CAUGHT WITHOUT
         SHELTER. MOBILE HOMES WILL BE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. DAMAGE
         TO ROOFS...WINDOWS AND VEHICLES WILL OCCUR. TREE DAMAGE IS
         LIKELY.

THIS DANGEROUS STORM WILL BE NEAR...
  MCPHERSON AROUND 955 PM CDT.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE MCPHERSON AIRPORT.

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 3817 9753 3817 9792 3821 9792 3860 9792
      3861 9758
TIME...MOT...LOC 0241Z 255DEG 34KT 3831 9779

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...1.75IN

$$

DARMOFAL

893 
WWUS53 KICT 120249
SVSICT

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
949 PM CDT SUN MAY 11 2014

KSC113-120300-
/O.CON.KICT.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-140512T0300Z/
MCPHERSON KS-
949 PM CDT SUN MAY 11 2014

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR WESTERN MCPHERSON COUNTY
UNTIL 1000 PM CDT...

AT 948 PM CDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO
WAS LOCATED 5 MILES SOUTHWEST OF MCPHERSON...AND MOVING EAST AT 40
MPH.

HAZARD...TORNADO AND GOLF BALL SIZE HAIL.

SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED ROTATION.

IMPACT...FLYING DEBRIS WILL BE DANGEROUS TO THOSE CAUGHT WITHOUT
         SHELTER. MOBILE HOMES WILL BE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. DAMAGE
         TO ROOFS...WINDOWS AND VEHICLES WILL OCCUR. TREE DAMAGE IS
         LIKELY.

THIS DANGEROUS STORM WILL BE NEAR...
  MCPHERSON AROUND 955 PM CDT.

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 3817 9753 3817 9792 3850 9792 3851 9757
TIME...MOT...LOC 0249Z 255DEG 34KT 3833 9772

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...1.75IN

$$

DARMOFAL

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 11, 7:03 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ICT	Barton, Ellsworth, Rice	42 min
May 11, 7:17 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ICT	Barton, Ellsworth, Lincoln, Russell	43 min
May 11, 7:19 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ICT	Barton, Russell	41 min
May 11, 7:45 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ICT	Ellsworth, McPherson, Rice, Saline	60 min
May 11, 7:52 PM CDT	Areal Flood Warning	ICT	Barton, Ellsworth, Rice	12 hr
May 11, 7:58 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ICT	Barton, Ellsworth, Rice, Russell	47 min
May 11, 8:12 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ICT	Rice	33 min
May 11, 8:21 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ICT	Ellsworth, Lincoln, Saline	24 min
May 11, 8:41 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ICT	Ellsworth, Lincoln, McPherson, Rice, Saline	49 min
May 11, 8:44 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ICT	Barton, Reno, Rice	46 min
May 11, 9:10 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	ICT	Rice	20 min
May 11, 9:27 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ICT	Harvey, Kingman, Reno	48 min
May 11, 9:57 PM CDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	ICT	McPherson	33 min
May 11, 10:14 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ICT	Harvey, Kingman, McPherson, Reno, Rice	46 min
May 11, 10:24 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ICT	McPherson, Marion, Saline	51 min
May 11, 10:47 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ICT	Harvey, Sedgwick	58 min
May 11, 10:57 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ICT	Harvey, Kingman, Reno	48 min
May 11, 11:11 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	ICT	Marion	34 min
May 11, 11:42 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ICT	Butler, Harvey, Marion, Sedgwick	48 min
May 12, 12:21 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	ICT	Chase	24 min
May 12, 12:32 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	ICT	McPherson	28 min
May 12, 12:44 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	ICT	Chase	31 min
May 12, 1:01 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	ICT	Saline	29 min
May 12, 1:14 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	ICT	Marion	31 min
May 12, 1:20 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	ICT	Chase	25 min
May 12, 1:32 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	ICT	Chase	28 min
May 12, 1:52 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	ICT	Ellsworth, Rice	23 min
May 12, 2:13 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	ICT	Barton	32 min
May 12, 2:15 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	ICT	Ellsworth	30 min
May 12, 2:25 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	ICT	Ellsworth	35 min
May 12, 3:53 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	ICT	Sedgwick	37 min
May 12, 3:51 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	ICT	Neosho	24 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Kansas, 2014 Every tornado warning in 2014 Tornadoes in 2014

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.