Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2015

Tornado Warning 53, NWS Dodge City, KS

November 16, 2015Finney County, Gray County, Lane County, Kansas

NWS Dodge City, KS issued this tornado warning at Nov 16, 2015, 4:59 PM CST for Finney County, Gray County, Lane County, Kansas. It was in force for 46 min. 3 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: Nov 16, 2015, 4:59 PM CST (22:59 UTC)
Expired: Nov 16, 2015, 5:45 PM CST
In force: 46 min
Issued by: NWS Dodge City, KS
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 2.0 in

Counties Finney County, KS, Gray County, KS, Lane County, KS

The radar

The Dodge City radar (KDDC), 66 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:59 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
Nov 16, 5:05 PM CST	HAIL 2	11 N Pierceville, KS	SIGNIFICANT HAIL SWATH WITH NUMEROUS GOLFBALL TO 2 INCH DIAMETER HAIL STONES, WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE DAMAGE INCLUDING A CRACKED WINDSHIELD.
Nov 16, 5:17 PM CST	TORNADO	11 Nne Pierceville, KS	A BRIEF DUSTY TORNADO WAS OBSERVED.
Nov 16, 5:19 PM CST	TORNADO	11 N Pierceville, 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.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Nov 16, 1:00 PM CST	Tornado Watch	SPC	8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Dodge City, (KDDC), launched 12:00Z, 11.0 hours before the alert went out and 70 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: 0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL: 1361 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 35 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 230 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 148 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

276 
WFUS53 KDDC 162259
TORDDC
KSC055-069-101-162345-
/O.NEW.KDDC.TO.W.0053.151116T2259Z-151116T2345Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
459 PM CST MON NOV 16 2015

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DODGE CITY HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  EASTERN FINNEY COUNTY IN SOUTHWESTERN KANSAS...
  NORTHWESTERN GRAY COUNTY IN SOUTHWESTERN KANSAS...
  SOUTHERN LANE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL KANSAS...

* UNTIL 545 PM CST
    
* AT 457 PM CST...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A
  TORNADO WAS LOCATED 5 MILES NORTHWEST OF PIERCEVILLE...MOVING
  NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

  HAZARD...TORNADO AND HAIL UP TO TWO INCHES IN DIAMETER. 

  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. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... RURAL LOCATIONS OF EASTERN FINNEY,
 NORTHWESTERN GRAY AND SOUTHERN LANE COUNTIES. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! MOVE TO A BASEMENT OR 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 3783 10079 3790 10089 3833 10063 3838 10033
      3809 10025
TIME...MOT...LOC 2257Z 218DEG 38KT 3791 10076 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...2.00IN

$$

FINCH

4 follow-up statements

544 
WWUS53 KDDC 162307
SVSDDC

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
507 PM CST MON NOV 16 2015

KSC055-069-101-162345-
/O.CON.KDDC.TO.W.0053.000000T0000Z-151116T2345Z/
FINNEY KS-GRAY KS-LANE KS-
507 PM CST MON NOV 16 2015

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM CST FOR
NORTHEASTERN FINNEY...NORTHWESTERN GRAY AND SOUTHERN LANE COUNTIES...
    
AT 506 PM CST...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO
WAS LOCATED 7 MILES NORTH OF PIERCEVILLE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45
MPH.

HAZARD...TORNADO AND TWO INCH 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 TORNADIC THUNDERSTORM WILL REMAIN OVER MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF
NORTHEASTERN FINNEY...NORTHWESTERN GRAY AND SOUTHERN LANE COUNTIES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! MOVE TO A BASEMENT OR 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 3793 10071 3797 10078 3833 10063 3838 10033
      3809 10025
TIME...MOT...LOC 2306Z 224DEG 40KT 3798 10069 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...2.00IN

$$

FINCH

335 
WWUS53 KDDC 162316
SVSDDC

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
516 PM CST MON NOV 16 2015

KSC069-162325-
/O.CAN.KDDC.TO.W.0053.000000T0000Z-151116T2345Z/
GRAY KS-

516 PM CST MON NOV 16 2015

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN GRAY COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
    
THE TORNADIC THUNDERSTORM WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS MOVED OUT
OF THE WARNED AREA. THEREFORE THE WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CST FOR SOUTHWESTERN
KANSAS.

LAT...LON 3801 10063 3805 10068 3830 10058 3838 10033
      3811 10030
TIME...MOT...LOC 2315Z 218DEG 38KT 3806 10061 

$$

KSC055-101-162345-
/O.CON.KDDC.TO.W.0053.000000T0000Z-151116T2345Z/
FINNEY KS-LANE KS-
516 PM CST MON NOV 16 2015

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM CST FOR
NORTHEASTERN FINNEY AND SOUTHEASTERN LANE COUNTIES...
    
AT 515 PM CST...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO
WAS LOCATED 12 MILES NORTH OF PIERCEVILLE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45
MPH.

HAZARD...TORNADO AND TWO INCH 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 TORNADIC THUNDERSTORM WILL REMAIN OVER MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF
NORTHEASTERN FINNEY AND SOUTHEASTERN LANE COUNTIES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! MOVE TO A BASEMENT OR 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 3801 10063 3805 10068 3830 10058 3838 10033
      3811 10030
TIME...MOT...LOC 2315Z 218DEG 38KT 3806 10061 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...2.00IN

$$

FINCH

618 
WWUS53 KDDC 162322
SVSDDC

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
522 PM CST MON NOV 16 2015

KSC055-101-162345-
/O.CON.KDDC.TO.W.0053.000000T0000Z-151116T2345Z/
FINNEY KS-LANE KS-
522 PM CST MON NOV 16 2015

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM CST FOR
NORTHEASTERN FINNEY AND SOUTHEASTERN LANE COUNTIES...
        
AT 520 PM CST...A CONFIRMED TORNADO WAS LOCATED 15 MILES NORTH OF
CHARLESTON...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

HAZARD...DAMAGING TORNADO AND TWO INCH HAIL. 

SOURCE...RADAR CONFIRMED TORNADO. IN ADDITION, STORM SPOTTERS HAVE
REPORTED A TORNADO 13 MILES EAST NORTHEAST OF GARDEN CITY.

RURAL LOCATIONS OF EASTERN FINNEY AND SOUTHERN LANE COUNTIES ARE IN
THE PATH OF THIS 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. 

THIS TORNADIC THUNDERSTORM WILL REMAIN OVER MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF
NORTHEASTERN FINNEY AND SOUTHEASTERN LANE COUNTIES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TO REPEAT...A TORNADO IS ON THE GROUND. TAKE COVER NOW! MOVE TO A
BASEMENT OR 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 3801 10063 3805 10068 3830 10058 3838 10033
      3811 10030
TIME...MOT...LOC 2320Z 226DEG 34KT 3808 10056 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...2.00IN

$$

FINCH

195 
WWUS53 KDDC 162330
SVSDDC

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
530 PM CST MON NOV 16 2015

KSC055-101-162345-
/O.CON.KDDC.TO.W.0053.000000T0000Z-151116T2345Z/
FINNEY KS-LANE KS-
530 PM CST MON NOV 16 2015

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM CST FOR
NORTHEASTERN FINNEY AND SOUTHEASTERN LANE COUNTIES...
        
AT 529 PM CST...A CONFIRMED LARGE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TORNADO WAS
LOCATED 10 MILES NORTHWEST OF KALVESTA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

HAZARD...DAMAGING TORNADO. 

SOURCE...RADAR 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. 

THIS TORNADIC THUNDERSTORM WILL REMAIN OVER MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF
NORTHEASTERN FINNEY AND SOUTHEASTERN LANE COUNTIES.

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 A BASEMENT OR 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 3806 10055 3813 10060 3830 10058 3838 10033
      3811 10031
TIME...MOT...LOC 2329Z 230DEG 43KT 3815 10044 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL...2.00IN

$$

FINCH

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Nov 16, 2:53 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DDC	Grant, Morton, Stanton, Stevens	67 min
Nov 16, 2:57 PM CST	Special Weather Statement	DDC	Kearny	48 min
Nov 16, 3:11 PM CST	Tornado Warning	DDC	Morton, Stevens	34 min
Nov 16, 3:24 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DDC	Finney, Kearny, Scott	51 min
Nov 16, 3:26 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DDC	Hamilton	32 min
Nov 16, 3:45 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DDC	Finney, Grant, Haskell, Kearny, Stevens	60 min
Nov 16, 3:48 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DDC	Lane	29 min
Nov 16, 3:52 PM CST	Tornado Warning	DDC	Grant, Haskell, Kearny, Stevens	38 min
Nov 16, 3:57 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DDC	Scott	48 min
Nov 16, 4:24 PM CST	Tornado Warning	DDC	Finney, Grant, Haskell, Kearny	51 min
Nov 16, 4:29 PM CST	Tornado Warning	DDC	Scott	16 min
Nov 16, 5:04 PM CST	Special Weather Statement	DDC	Seward	41 min
Nov 16, 5:23 PM CST	Tornado Warning	DDC	Seward, Stevens	37 min
Nov 16, 5:34 PM CST	Tornado Warning	DDC	Finney, Hodgeman, Lane, Ness	41 min
Nov 16, 5:52 PM CST	Tornado Warning Tornado observedConsiderable damage threat	DDC	Gray, Meade, Seward	38 min
Nov 16, 5:54 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DDC	Lane, Scott	35 min
Nov 16, 5:59 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DDC	Finney, Kearny, Scott	61 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Kansas, 2015 Every tornado warning in 2015 Tornadoes in 2015

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.