Alert archive / Nebraska / Tornado Warnings in 2021
Tornado Warning 11, NWS Omaha, NE
NWS Omaha, NE issued this tornado warning at Dec 15, 2021, 2:50 PM CST for Colfax County, Platte County, Nebraska. It was in force for 40 min. 16 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
- Dec 15, 2021, 2:50 PM CST (20:50 UTC)
- Expired
- Dec 15, 2021, 3:30 PM CST
- In force
- 40 min
- Issued by
- NWS Omaha, NE
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.0 in
Counties Colfax County, NE, Platte County, NE
The radar
The Omaha radar (KOAX), 93 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:55 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 15, 2:50 PM CST | TSTM WND DMG | Columbus, NE | ROOF BLOWN OFF HOME. |
| Dec 15, 2:52 PM CST | TSTM WND DMG | Columbus, NE | OVERTURNED 5TH WHEEL TRAILER. |
| Dec 15, 3:01 PM CST | TSTM WND DMG | Columbus, NE | ROOF TORN OFF HOME. |
| Dec 15, 3:03 PM CST | TORNADO | 1 S Platte Center, NE | A TORNADO DEVELOPED OVER AN OPEN FIELD SOUTH OF TOWN AND NORTH OF THE CREEK WHERE IT TIPPED OVER TWO SECTIONS OF AN IRRIGATION PIVOT. THE TORNADO PROCEEDED NORTH NORTHEAST INTO PLATTE CENTER, CAUSING DAMAGE TO A GARAGE AND SNAPPING SEVERAL TREES. THE MAXIMUM D |
| Dec 15, 3:04 PM CST | HAIL 1.25 | Columbus, NE | |
| Dec 15, 3:04 PM CST | TORNADO 1 | Columbus, NE | EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTS ROOF OFF HOUSE AFTER BRIEF TORNADO SPIN-UP. |
| Dec 15, 3:04 PM CST | TORNADO | Columbus, NE | *** 2 INJ *** UPDATES PREVIOUS TORNADO REPORT FROM COLUMBUS. A NARROW, FAST-MOVING, TORNADO BEGAN IN THE PARKING LOT OF A BUSINESS ALONG HOWARD BLVD WHERE IT TIPPED OVER A SEMI TRAILER AND PROCEEDED TO CAUSE ROOF, SIDING, FENCE, AND TREE DAMAGE. APPROXIMATELY |
| Dec 15, 3:04 PM CST | TORNADO | Columbus, NE | UPDATES PREVIOUS TORNADO REPORT FROM COLUMBUS. A NARROW, FAST-MOVING, TORNADO BEGAN IN THE PARKING LOT OF A BUSINESS ALONG HOWARD BLVD WHERE IT TIPPED OVER A SEMI TRAILER AND PROCEEDED TO CAUSE ROOF, SIDING, FENCE, AND TREE DAMAGE. APPROXIMATELY ONE BLOCK LATE |
| Dec 15, 3:04 PM CST | TORNADO | Columbus, NE | CORRECTS PREVIOUS TORNADO REPORT FROM COLUMBUS. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTS ROOF OFF HOUSE AFTER BRIEF TORNADO SPIN-UP. |
| Dec 15, 3:04 PM CST | TORNADO | Columbus, NE | EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTS ROOF OFF HOUSE AFTER BRIEF TORNADO SPIN-UP. |
| Dec 15, 3:05 PM CST | HAIL 1.25 | Columbus, NE | |
| Dec 15, 3:06 PM CST | NON-TSTM WND GST 51 | 4 Wsw Columbus, NE | MESONET STATION UP939 3.8 W COLUMBUS (UPR). |
| Dec 15, 3:07 PM CST | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 2 Wnw Columbus, NE | MESONET STATION DW9727 COLUMBUS. |
| Dec 15, 3:13 PM CST | TORNADO | 2 Se Humphrey, NE | TORNADO ON THE GROUND. |
| Dec 15, 3:14 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 68 | 1 Nne Columbus, NE | |
| Dec 15, 3:20 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 53 | 1 Wnw Leigh, NE | MESONET STATION NB069 LEIGH 1W. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 15, 1:23 PM CST | Tornado Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Omaha, NE (KOAX), launched 12:00Z, 8.8 hours before the alert went out and 93 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 2165 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 42 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 346 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 384 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
719
WFUS53 KOAX 152050
TOROAX
NEC037-141-152130-
/O.NEW.KOAX.TO.W.0011.211215T2050Z-211215T2130Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
250 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
The National Weather Service in Omaha has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Northwestern Colfax County in northeastern Nebraska...
Eastern Platte County in northeastern Nebraska...
* Until 330 PM CST.
* At 249 PM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 5 miles southeast of Silver Creek, or 17 miles
southwest of Columbus, moving northeast at 70 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter 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...
Duncan and Monroe around 300 PM CST.
Columbus and Platte Center around 305 PM CST.
Leigh and Creston around 320 PM CST.
Clarkson around 325 PM CST.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Lake
North Babcock Campground, Tarnov, Central Community College, College
View Trailer Park, Lake Ocaonee, Circle H Trailer Park, Shell Creek
Elementary School and Maple Creek Recreation Area.
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 4175 9742 4174 9709 4140 9738 4137 9745
4137 9750 4133 9760 4139 9760 4140 9765
TIME...MOT...LOC 2049Z 209DEG 61KT 4126 9760
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
BLB3 follow-up statements
086
WWUS53 KOAX 152102
SVSOAX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
302 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
NEC037-141-152130-
/O.CON.KOAX.TO.W.0011.000000T0000Z-211215T2130Z/
Colfax NE-Platte NE-
302 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 PM CST FOR
NORTHWESTERN COLFAX AND EASTERN PLATTE COUNTIES...
At 301 PM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Platte Center, or 9 miles northwest of Columbus,
moving northeast at 75 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Platte Center around 305 PM
Creston around 315 PM CST.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Lake
North Babcock Campground, Tarnov, Central Community College, College
View Trailer Park, Lake Ocaonee, Circle H Trailer Park, Shell Creek
Elementary School and Maple Creek Recreation Area.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4175 9742 4174 9709 4140 9738 4137 9745
4137 9750 4147 9760
TIME...MOT...LOC 2101Z 202DEG 66KT 4150 9752
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
BLB459
WWUS53 KOAX 152117
SVSOAX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
317 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
NEC037-141-152130-
/O.CON.KOAX.TO.W.0011.000000T0000Z-211215T2130Z/
Colfax NE-Platte NE-
317 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 PM CST FOR
NORTHWESTERN COLFAX AND NORTHEASTERN PLATTE COUNTIES...
At 315 PM CST, a confirmed tornado was located over Creston, or 19
miles north of Columbus, moving northeast at 70 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado 2 miles southeast of
Humphrey at 313 PM.
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
northwestern Colfax and northeastern Platte Counties, including the
following locations... Maple Creek Recreation Area.
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 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 4175 9742 4174 9709 4149 9730 4162 9750
TIME...MOT...LOC 2115Z 209DEG 61KT 4172 9736
TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
Kern979
WWUS53 KOAX 152126
SVSOAX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
326 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
NEC037-141-152136-
/O.EXP.KOAX.TO.W.0011.000000T0000Z-211215T2130Z/
Colfax NE-Platte NE-
326 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN COLFAX AND NORTHEASTERN
PLATTE COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 330 PM CST...
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However gusty
winds are still possible with this thunderstorm.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CST for northeastern
Nebraska.
LAT...LON 4175 9742 4174 9709 4149 9730 4162 9750
TIME...MOT...LOC 2126Z 209DEG 61KT 4188 9724
$$
KernThe office that day
Everything else NWS Omaha, NE issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 15, 2:19 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Antelope, Boone, Butler, Colfax, Madison, Pierce and 2 more | 56 min |
| Dec 15, 2:26 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Butler, Gage, Jefferson, Lancaster, Saline, Saunders and 1 more | 64 min |
| Dec 15, 2:39 PM CST | Tornado Warning | OAX | Boone, Madison, Platte, Stanton | 24 min |
| Dec 15, 2:54 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Gage, Johnson, Lancaster and 5 more | 81 min |
| Dec 15, 2:59 PM CST | Tornado Warning | OAX | Butler, Colfax, Dodge, Platte | 31 min |
| Dec 15, 3:06 PM CST | Tornado Warning | OAX | Madison, Platte, Stanton | 24 min |
| Dec 15, 3:09 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Burt, Butler, Colfax, Cuming, Dodge, Saunders and 4 more | 51 min |
| Dec 15, 3:13 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Antelope, Cedar, Colfax, Knox, Madison, Pierce and 3 more | 62 min |
| Dec 15, 3:23 PM CST | Tornado Warning | OAX | Lancaster, Seward | 16 min |
| Dec 15, 3:25 PM CST | Tornado Warning | OAX | Colfax, Cuming, Stanton | 35 min |
| Dec 15, 3:29 PM CST | Tornado Warning | OAX | Madison, Stanton, Wayne | 31 min |
| Dec 15, 3:35 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Cass, Douglas, Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee and 3 more | 70 min |
| Dec 15, 3:41 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Burt, Cuming, Thurston, Washington | 64 min |
| Dec 15, 3:45 PM CST | Tornado Warning | OAX | Douglas, Saunders | 30 min |
| Dec 15, 3:45 PM CST | Tornado Warning | OAX | Cuming, Thurston | 45 min |
| Dec 15, 3:54 PM CST | Tornado Warning | OAX | Dodge, Douglas, Washington | 28 min |
| Dec 15, 4:01 PM CST | Tornado Warning | OAX | Cass, Otoe | 14 min |
| Dec 15, 4:11 PM CST | Tornado Warning | OAX | Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson | 34 min |
| Dec 15, 4:12 PM CST | Tornado Warning | OAX | Cass | 33 min |
| Dec 15, 4:16 PM CST | Tornado Warning | OAX | Washington | 17 min |
| Dec 15, 5:08 PM CST | Blowing Dust Advisory | OAX | Cass, Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha and 5 more | 4 hr |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Nebraska, 2021Every tornado warning in 2021Tornadoes in 2021
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.