Alert archive / Nebraska / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 15, NWS Omaha, NE

December 15, 2021Colfax County, Cuming County, Stanton County, Nebraska

NWS Omaha, NE issued this tornado warning at Dec 15, 2021, 3:25 PM CST for Colfax County, Cuming County, Stanton County, Nebraska. It was in force for 35 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
Dec 15, 2021, 3:25 PM CST (21:25 UTC)
Expired
Dec 15, 2021, 4:00 PM CST
In force
35 min
Issued by
NWS Omaha, NE
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.0 in

Counties Colfax County, NE, Cuming County, NE, Stanton County, NE

The radar

The Omaha radar (KOAX), 75 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:27 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
Dec 15, 3:27 PM CSTTSTM WND GST 76Howells, NEWIND GUST TO 76 MPH ALONG WITH PENNY SIZED HAIL.
Dec 15, 3:27 PM CSTTORNADOHowells, NEAN INTERMITTENT TORNADO TRACKED FROM NORTH TO SOUTH THROUGH HOWELLS. THE INITIAL DAMAGE POINT WAS ROOF DAMAGE TO A HOME ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF TOWN ALONG WITH MODERATE TREE DAMAGE. THE TORNADO THEN SKIPPED SEVERAL BLOCKS BEFORE REMOVING A PORTION OF THE BUILDING
Dec 15, 3:31 PM CSTTORNADO3 Nne Howells, NEA TORNADO DEVELOPED IN A FIELD NEAR 3RD ROAD SOUTH OF C ROAD AND QUICKLY MOVED NORTHEAST TO CAUSE ROOF DAMAGE TO LARGE ANIMAL BARNS WHERE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF ROOFING TIN WERE REMOVED. THE TORNADO PROCEEDED ACROSS OPEN FIELDS BEFORE SEVERELY IMPACTING A FAR
Dec 15, 3:35 PM CSTTSTM WND DMGHowells, NEPARTIAL ROOF BLOWN OFF.
Dec 15, 3:37 PM CSTTORNADO6 W West Point, NEA BRIEF TORNADO DEVELOPED IN A FIELD AND THEN TRAVELLED NORTH NORTHEAST WHERE IT SNAPPED 5 WOODEN POWER POLES AND THEN CAUSED TREE DAMAGE IN A GROVE OF TREES.
Dec 15, 3:40 PM CSTTORNADOBeemer, NECONFIRMED TORNADO BY FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Dec 15, 3:41 PM CSTTORNADO3 Sse Beemer, NEA BRIEF TORNADO SNAPPED TREES AND CAUSED MINOR ROOF DAMAGE TO A HOME BEFORE DESTROYING A 40 BY 60 FOOT SHED AND MOVING A FARM GRAVITY WAGON APPROXIMATELY 100 YARDS WHILE CONTINUING TO DAMAGE TREES. WITNESSES NOTED THAT THIS WAS A BRIEF TORNADO BUT THEY DID SEE
Dec 15, 3:44 PM CSTTORNADO3 Ese Beemer, NETHIS TORNADO IMPACTED SEVERAL FARMS AND RESIDENCES ALONG ITS 11 MILE TRACK WITH AT LEAST 5 POINTS SUGGESTING EF2 DAMAGE WITH MAXIMUM WINDS OF APPROXIMATELY 120 MPH. THIS TORNADO ALSO HAD ONE OF THE WIDER PATHS IN THIS REGION ON DECEMBER 15 WHERE AT ONE POINT T
Dec 15, 3:46 PM CSTTSTM WND DMG7 Ne Beemer, NEDELAYED REPORT, TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. REPORT FROM MPING: 3-INCH TREE LIMBS BROKEN; POWER POLES BROKEN.
Dec 15, 3:53 PM CSTTORNADO2 Wsw Bancroft, NENUMEROUS LARGE PINE TREES UPROOTED. NUMEROUS HARDWOOD TREES LIMBS GREATER THAN 6 INCHES SNAPPED AND BROKEN OFF. WINDMILL COLLAPSED AT BASE. SHINGLES AND NAILED GUTTER TORN FROM HOME. DAMAGE WIDTH 10-20 YARDS. TORNADO DEVELOPED APPROXIMATELY 1.5 MILES SOUTH SOU

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
Dec 15, 1:23 PM CSTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Omaha, NE (KOAX), launched 12:00Z, 9.4 hours before the alert went out and 75 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, Omaha, NE at 12:00Z on 2021-12-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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, Omaha, NE at 12:00Z on 2021-12-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 346 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
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

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

442 
WFUS53 KOAX 152125
TOROAX
NEC037-039-167-152200-
/O.NEW.KOAX.TO.W.0015.211215T2125Z-211215T2200Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
325 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

The National Weather Service in Omaha has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Cuming County in northeastern Nebraska...
  Northeastern Colfax County in northeastern Nebraska...
  Southeastern Stanton County in northeastern Nebraska...

* Until 400 PM CST.
    
* At 324 PM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a 
  tornado was located near Howells, or 23 miles northeast of 
  Columbus, and a second area of rotation capable of producing a 
  tornado near Leigh, both 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...
  Beemer around 345 PM CST.
  Bancroft around 355 PM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include The
Highway 9 And 51 Junction, 10 Miles West Of West Point and The
Highway 15 And 32 Junction.

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 4209 9698 4209 9656 4203 9656 4174 9686
      4174 9690 4170 9691 4159 9702 4173 9725
TIME...MOT...LOC 2124Z 214DEG 60KT 4167 9704 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

BLB
3 follow-up statements
366 
WWUS53 KOAX 152140
SVSOAX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
340 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

NEC037-152150-
/O.CAN.KOAX.TO.W.0015.000000T0000Z-211215T2200Z/
Colfax NE-
340 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN COLFAX 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 800 PM CST for northeastern
Nebraska.

LAT...LON 4209 9698 4209 9656 4203 9656 4180 9680
      4196 9708
TIME...MOT...LOC 2140Z 214DEG 60KT 4190 9683 

$$

NEC039-167-152200-
/O.CON.KOAX.TO.W.0015.000000T0000Z-211215T2200Z/
Cuming NE-Stanton NE-
340 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM CST FOR CUMING
AND EAST CENTRAL STANTON COUNTIES...

At 340 PM CST, a severe squall line capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage was located over
Beemer, or 31 miles east of Norfolk, 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.

These dangerous storms will be near...
  Bancroft around 355 PM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include The
Highway 9 And 51 Junction.

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 4209 9698 4209 9656 4203 9656 4180 9680
      4196 9708
TIME...MOT...LOC 2140Z 214DEG 60KT 4190 9683 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

Kern
472 
WWUS53 KOAX 152147
SVSOAX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
347 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

NEC167-152157-
/O.CAN.KOAX.TO.W.0015.000000T0000Z-211215T2200Z/
Stanton NE-
347 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL STANTON 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 800 PM CST for northeastern
Nebraska.

LAT...LON 4209 9698 4209 9656 4203 9656 4187 9673
      4203 9700
TIME...MOT...LOC 2147Z 208DEG 61KT 4196 9674 

$$

NEC039-152200-
/O.CON.KOAX.TO.W.0015.000000T0000Z-211215T2200Z/
Cuming NE-
347 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM CST FOR NORTHERN
CUMING COUNTY...
    
At 347 PM CST, a confirmed tornado was located near Beemer, or 35
miles east of Norfolk, moving northeast at 70 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado near Beemer.

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 tornado will be near...
  Bancroft around 355 PM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include The
Highway 9 And 51 Junction.

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 4209 9698 4209 9656 4203 9656 4187 9673
      4203 9700
TIME...MOT...LOC 2147Z 208DEG 61KT 4196 9674 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN

$$

BLB
000 
WWUS53 KOAX 152159
SVSOAX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
Issued by National Weather Service Hastings NE
359 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

NEC039-152209-
/O.EXP.KOAX.TO.W.0015.000000T0000Z-211215T2200Z/
Cuming NE-
359 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHERN CUMING COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 400
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.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Omaha.

LAT...LON 4209 9698 4209 9656 4203 9656 4187 9673
      4203 9700
TIME...MOT...LOC 2159Z 214DEG 60KT 4211 9660 

$$

Thies

The office that day

Everything else NWS Omaha, NE issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 15, 2:19 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatOAXAntelope, Boone, Butler, Colfax, Madison, Pierce and 2 more56 min
Dec 15, 2:26 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXButler, Gage, Jefferson, Lancaster, Saline, Saunders and 1 more64 min
Dec 15, 2:39 PM CSTTornado WarningOAXBoone, Madison, Platte, Stanton24 min
Dec 15, 2:50 PM CSTTornado WarningOAXColfax, Platte40 min
Dec 15, 2:54 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatOAXCass, Dodge, Douglas, Gage, Johnson, Lancaster and 5 more81 min
Dec 15, 2:59 PM CSTTornado WarningOAXButler, Colfax, Dodge, Platte31 min
Dec 15, 3:06 PM CSTTornado WarningOAXMadison, Platte, Stanton24 min
Dec 15, 3:09 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatOAXBurt, Butler, Colfax, Cuming, Dodge, Saunders and 4 more51 min
Dec 15, 3:13 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXAntelope, Cedar, Colfax, Knox, Madison, Pierce and 3 more62 min
Dec 15, 3:23 PM CSTTornado WarningOAXLancaster, Seward16 min
Dec 15, 3:29 PM CSTTornado WarningOAXMadison, Stanton, Wayne31 min
Dec 15, 3:35 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatOAXCass, Douglas, Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee and 3 more70 min
Dec 15, 3:41 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatOAXBurt, Cuming, Thurston, Washington64 min
Dec 15, 3:45 PM CSTTornado WarningOAXDouglas, Saunders30 min
Dec 15, 3:45 PM CSTTornado Warning Tornado observedOAXCuming, Thurston45 min
Dec 15, 3:54 PM CSTTornado Warning Tornado observedOAXDodge, Douglas, Washington28 min
Dec 15, 4:01 PM CSTTornado WarningOAXCass, Otoe14 min
Dec 15, 4:11 PM CSTTornado WarningOAXNemaha, Pawnee, Richardson34 min
Dec 15, 4:12 PM CSTTornado WarningOAXCass33 min
Dec 15, 4:16 PM CSTTornado WarningOAXWashington17 min
Dec 15, 5:08 PM CSTBlowing Dust AdvisoryOAXCass, Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha and 5 more4 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.