Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2018

Tornado Warning 6, NWS Topeka, KS

May 1, 2018Ottawa County, Kansas

NWS Topeka, KS issued this tornado warning at May 1, 2018, 7:26 PM CDT for Ottawa County, Kansas. It was in force for 34 min. 9 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 1, 2018, 7:26 PM CDT (00:26 UTC)
Expired
May 1, 2018, 8:00 PM CDT
In force
34 min
Issued by
NWS Topeka, KS
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
2.0 in

County Ottawa County, KS

The radar

The Topeka radar (KTWX), 138 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:29 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
May 1, 7:47 PM CDTTORNADO1 S Tescott, KSTORNADO BEING REPORTED BY MULTIPLE SOURCES.
May 1, 7:49 PM CDTTORNADO2 E Tescott, KSLARGE WEDGE TORNADO REPORTED BY NWS EMPLOYEE.
May 1, 7:50 PM CDTTORNADO4 Nw Culver, KSDELAYED REPORT OF TORNADO ON 40TH ROAD AND K18.
May 1, 7:51 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG2 Se Tescott, KSMINOR TO EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO HOMES IN THE AREA FROM THE TORNADO. RADAR ESTIMATED TIME.
May 1, 7:51 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG3 Ese Tescott, KSDAMAGE TO HOMES DUE TO THE TORNADO. DAMAGE TO OUTBUILDINGS AS WELL. RADAR ESTIMATED TIME.
May 1, 7:51 PM CDTTORNADO1 S Tescott, KSDAMAGE WAS REPORTED TO A HOME, OCCUPANTS ARE OK.
May 1, 7:55 PM CDTTORNADO2 Nnw Culver, KSLARGE RAIN WRAPPED TORNADO. LOCATION IS APPROXIMATE.
May 1, 8:01 PM CDTTORNADO3 Nw Culver, KSREPORTS OF POWERLINES DOWN ON K18. POLES ARE SNAPPED TO THE GROUND.
May 1, 8:07 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG3 Wsw Minneapolis, KSMINOR TO EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO HOMES FROM THE TORNADO. RADAR ESTIMATED TIME.

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
May 1, 2:47 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Topeka, KS (KFOE), launched 00:00Z, 0.4 hours before the alert went out and 189 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 2018-05-02Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 543 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, Topeka, KS at 00:00Z on 2018-05-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 213 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
543 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-73 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1230 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
39 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
213 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
334 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.5
Supercell composite
11.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

125 
WFUS53 KTOP 020026
TORTOP
KSC143-020100-
/O.NEW.KTOP.TO.W.0006.180502T0026Z-180502T0100Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Topeka KS
726 PM CDT TUE MAY 1 2018

The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southwestern Ottawa County in north central Kansas...

* Until 800 PM CDT
    
* At 726 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located 7 miles south of Beverly, moving northeast at 40 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. 

* This dangerous storm will be near...
  Tescott around 740 PM CDT. 
  Culver around 750 PM CDT. 

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 you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3909 9793 3917 9774 3896 9761 3896 9793
TIME...MOT...LOC 0026Z 249DEG 33KT 3891 9802 

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

$$

Skow
2 follow-up statements
056 
WWUS53 KTOP 020047
SVSTOP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
747 PM CDT TUE MAY 1 2018

KSC143-020100-
/O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0006.000000T0000Z-180502T0100Z/
Ottawa-
747 PM CDT TUE MAY 1 2018

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN OTTAWA COUNTY...
    
At 746 PM CDT, a large and extremely dangerous tornado was located
near Tescott, moving northeast at 40 mph.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado. 

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. 

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible. 

The tornado will be near...
  Culver around 755 PM CDT. 
  Minneapolis around 800 PM CDT. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is developing. 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 you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3903 9793 3915 9773 3896 9761 3896 9793
TIME...MOT...LOC 0046Z 244DEG 35KT 3898 9785 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL...2.00IN

$$

Skow
021 
WWUS53 KTOP 020048
SVSTOP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
748 PM CDT TUE MAY 1 2018

KSC143-020100-
/O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0006.000000T0000Z-180502T0100Z/
Ottawa-
748 PM CDT TUE MAY 1 2018

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN OTTAWA COUNTY...
    
At 748 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located near Tescott, moving northeast at 40 mph.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado. 

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. 

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible. 

The tornado will be near...
  Minneapolis around 800 PM CDT. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A large and extremely dangerous tornado is on the ground. take
immediate tornado precautions. this is an emergency situation.

&&

LAT...LON 3903 9793 3915 9773 3896 9761 3896 9793
TIME...MOT...LOC 0048Z 243DEG 35KT 3899 9784 

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

$$

Skow

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 1, 7:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPCloud30 min
May 1, 7:24 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedTOPClay, Cloud, Republic, Washington36 min
May 1, 7:52 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPClay, Riley, Washington38 min
May 1, 7:54 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedConsiderable damage threatTOPOttawa36 min
May 1, 8:01 PM CDTTornado Warning Considerable damage threatTOPClay, Riley, Washington34 min
May 1, 8:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPCloud, Ottawa41 min
May 1, 8:26 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPClay, Dickinson, Ottawa34 min
May 1, 8:26 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPCloud, Ottawa34 min
May 1, 8:33 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPMarshall, Riley, Washington57 min
May 1, 8:58 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedTOPClay32 min
May 1, 9:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPCloud, Ottawa45 min
May 1, 9:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPClay, Dickinson47 min
May 1, 9:25 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedTOPClay, Riley35 min
May 1, 9:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPClay33 min
May 1, 9:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPClay, Cloud, Ottawa34 min
May 1, 9:47 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPClay, Geary, Pottawatomie, Riley43 min
May 1, 9:54 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPPottawatomie, Riley36 min
May 1, 10:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPClay, Cloud, Ottawa34 min
May 1, 10:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPPottawatomie, Riley, Wabaunsee45 min
May 1, 10:19 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryTOPClay, Cloud, Ottawa3 hr
May 1, 10:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPCloud, Ottawa36 min
May 1, 10:27 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPMarshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomie33 min
May 1, 10:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPClay, Geary, Pottawatomie, Riley35 min
May 1, 10:55 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPJackson35 min
May 1, 11:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPPottawatomie, Riley37 min
May 1, 11:35 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPJackson, Pottawatomie25 min
May 1, 11:49 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPPottawatomie, Riley26 min
May 2, 12:11 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPPottawatomie34 min
May 2, 12:44 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPJackson31 min
May 2, 1:15 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPMarshall30 min
May 2, 1:20 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPJefferson40 min
May 2, 3:36 AM CDTFlash Flood WatchTOPAnderson, Clay, Cloud, Coffey, Dickinson, Douglas and 12 more18 hr
May 2, 3:18 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPOttawa12 min
May 2, 3:34 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPOttawa11 min
May 2, 3:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPOttawa64 min
May 2, 3:52 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPOttawa38 min
May 2, 4:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPCloud52 min
May 2, 4:11 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPCloud49 min
May 2, 4:13 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPOttawa47 min
May 2, 4:21 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPOttawa39 min
May 2, 4:29 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPClay, Cloud, Washington46 min
May 2, 4:34 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryTOPCloud, Ottawa3 hr
May 2, 4:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPClay, Dickinson, Ottawa65 min
May 2, 4:47 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPDickinson43 min
May 2, 4:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPClay57 min
May 2, 4:58 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPClay, Marshall, Riley, Washington47 min
May 2, 5:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPGeary, Pottawatomie, Riley67 min
May 2, 5:22 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPGeary, Morris53 min
May 2, 5:34 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPMarshall, Pottawatomie, Riley41 min
May 2, 6:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPBrown, Jackson, Marshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomie57 min
May 2, 6:08 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPShawnee, Wabaunsee52 min
May 2, 6:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPBrown, Jackson, Jefferson64 min
May 2, 6:45 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPMorris30 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Kansas, 2018Every tornado warning in 2018Tornadoes in 2018

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.