Alert archive / Kansas / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2021

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 182, NWS Topeka, KS

December 15, 2021Coffey County, Lyon County, Osage County, Kansas

NWS Topeka, KS issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Dec 15, 2021, 4:35 PM CST for Coffey County, Lyon County, Osage County, Kansas. It was in force for 40 min. 13 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, 4:35 PM CST (22:35 UTC)
Expired: Dec 15, 2021, 5:15 PM CST
In force: 40 min
Issued by: NWS Topeka, KS
Area: Storm-based polygon
Damage threat: Destructive
Hail: 0.75 in
Wind: 80.0 mph

Counties Coffey County, KS, Lyon County, KS, Osage County, KS

The radar

The Topeka radar (KTWX), 88 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:35 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, 4:41 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	Emporia, KS	DELAYED REPORT FROM MPING: 1-INCH TREE LIMBS BROKEN; SHINGLES BLOWN OFF.
Dec 15, 4:47 PM CST	HAIL 4	6 Wsw Emporia, KS	SOFTBALL-SIZED HAIL REPORTED AT MILE MARKER 137 OFF I-35. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
Dec 15, 4:49 PM CST	HAIL 1	1 Nne Emporia, KS	QUARTER SIZED HAIL.
Dec 15, 4:51 PM CST	HAIL 2.5	3 E Emporia, KS	TENNIS-BALL SIZE HAIL REPORTED AT I-35/R1 EAST OF EMPORIA. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
Dec 15, 4:52 PM CST	HAIL 1	1 W Emporia, KS	DELAYED REPORT FROM MPING: QUARTER (1.00 IN.).
Dec 15, 4:53 PM CST	TSTM WND GST 61	5 Ssw Emporia, KS	ASOS STATION KEMP EMPORIA.
Dec 15, 4:53 PM CST	HAIL 1.75	2 S Emporia, KS	GOLF BALL SIZED HAIL REPORTED AT FANESTIL ORIGINAL PLANT ON K-99. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
Dec 15, 4:55 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	3 E Americus, KS	SEVERAL POWER POLES SNAPPED.
Dec 15, 4:56 PM CST	TSTM WND GST 65	6 Nnw Neosho Rapids, KS
Dec 15, 5:00 PM CST	HAIL 2	2 E Emporia, KS	APRICOT-SIZED HAIL.
Dec 15, 5:04 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	2 Wnw Emporia, KS	DELAYED REPORT FROM MPING: 3-INCH TREE LIMBS BROKEN; POWER POLES BROKEN.
Dec 15, 5:20 PM CST	HAIL 2	3 Nnw Melvern, KS	DELAYED REPORT OF 2 INCH HAIL. PHOTO SENT VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.
Dec 15, 5:20 PM CST	NON-TSTM WND GST 70	5 Ssw Emporia, KS	ASOS STATION KEMP EMPORIA.

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, 3:18 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	5 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Topeka, KS (KTOP), launched 12:00Z, 10.6 hours before the alert went out and 91 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: 1036 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 51 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 466 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 477 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

433 
WUUS53 KTOP 152235
SVRTOP
KSC031-111-139-152315-
/O.NEW.KTOP.SV.W.0182.211215T2235Z-211215T2315Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Topeka KS
435 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Southern Osage County in east central Kansas...
  Western Coffey County in east central Kansas...
  Lyon County in east central Kansas...

* Until 515 PM CST.

* At 434 PM CST, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from near Americus to 16 miles northwest of Hamilton,
  moving east at 60 mph.

  THESE ARE DESTRUCTIVE STORMS!

  HAZARD...80 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Trained weather spotters. Spotters have reported 
           widespread wind damage and winds in excess of 80 mph with 
           these storms. 

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be heavily damaged. Expect 
           considerable damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles. 
           Extensive tree damage and power outages are likely.

* Locations impacted include...
  Emporia, Burlington, Lebo, Americus, Olpe, New Strawn, Melvern,
  Hartford, Gridley, Neosho Rapids, Reading, Olivet, Beto Junction,
  John Redmond Reservoir and Melvern Lake.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 35 between mile markers 128 and 162.
 Kansas Turnpike between mile markers 117 and 138.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This is an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. These storms are producing 
widespread wind damage across central and east central Kansas. SEEK 
SHELTER NOW inside a sturdy structure and stay away from windows!

&&

LAT...LON 3805 9596 3817 9596 3817 9636 3853 9635
      3860 9555 3804 9577
TIME...MOT...LOC 2234Z 256DEG 50KT 3855 9626 3807 9643 

THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...DESTRUCTIVE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX WIND GUST...80 MPH

$$

2 follow-up statements

799 
WWUS53 KTOP 152258
SVSTOP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
458 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

KSC031-111-139-152315-
/O.CON.KTOP.SV.W.0182.000000T0000Z-211215T2315Z/
Osage-Coffey-Lyon-
458 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CST
FOR SOUTHERN OSAGE...WESTERN COFFEY AND SOUTHERN LYON COUNTIES...

At 456 PM CST, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 3 miles northeast of Reading to 4 miles northeast of
Madison, moving east at 55 mph.

THESE ARE DESTRUCTIVE STORMS!

HAZARD...80 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Trained weather spotters. Damaging winds and hail up to the 
         size of quarters was reported in Emporia. 

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be heavily damaged. Expect 
         considerable damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles. 
         Extensive tree damage and power outages are likely.

Locations impacted include...
Emporia, Burlington, Lebo, Olpe, New Strawn, Melvern, Hartford,
Gridley, Neosho Rapids, Reading, Olivet, Beto Junction, John Redmond
Reservoir and Melvern Lake.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 35 between mile markers 128 and 162.
 Kansas Turnpike between mile markers 130 and 137.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This is an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. These storms are producing 
widespread wind damage across east central Kansas. SEEK SHELTER NOW 
inside a sturdy structure and stay away from windows.

&&

LAT...LON 3805 9596 3817 9596 3817 9636 3854 9616
      3860 9555 3804 9577
TIME...MOT...LOC 2256Z 256DEG 48KT 3856 9592 3817 9608 

THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...DESTRUCTIVE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX WIND GUST...80 MPH

$$

414 
WWUS53 KTOP 152303
SVSTOP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
503 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

KSC031-111-139-152315-
/O.CON.KTOP.SV.W.0182.000000T0000Z-211215T2315Z/
Osage-Coffey-Lyon-
503 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CST
FOR SOUTHERN OSAGE...WESTERN COFFEY AND SOUTHERN LYON COUNTIES...

At 502 PM CST, a severe thunderstorm was located 4 miles south of
Reading, moving east at 75 mph.

THIS IS A DESTRUCTIVE STORM!

HAZARD...Softball size hail and 70 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Emergency management.

IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be severely injured. 
         Expect shattered windows, extensive damage to roofs, 
         siding, and vehicles.

Locations impacted include...
Emporia, Burlington, Lebo, Olpe, New Strawn, Melvern, Hartford,
Gridley, Neosho Rapids, Reading, Olivet, Beto Junction, John Redmond
Reservoir and Melvern Lake.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 35 between mile markers 128 and 162.
 Kansas Turnpike between mile markers 130 and 137.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This storm is producing large hail. SEEK SHELTER NOW inside a sturdy
structure and stay away from windows.

This is an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. This storm is producing 
widespread wind damage across east central Kansas. SEEK SHELTER NOW 
inside a sturdy structure and stay away from windows.

&&

LAT...LON 3805 9596 3817 9596 3817 9636 3854 9616
      3860 9555 3804 9577
TIME...MOT...LOC 2302Z 252DEG 65KT 3845 9594 

THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...DESTRUCTIVE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...4.00 IN
WIND THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

$$

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Dec 15, 1:57 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threat	TOP	Cloud, Ottawa, Republic	48 min
Dec 15, 2:42 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threat	TOP	Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Marshall, Ottawa, Republic and 2 more	48 min
Dec 15, 3:00 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threat	TOP	Dickinson, Geary, Morris	45 min
Dec 15, 3:01 PM CST	Blowing Dust Advisory	TOP	Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Ottawa, Republic, Washington	3 hr
Dec 15, 3:19 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threat	TOP	Clay, Dickinson, Geary, Jackson, Marshall, Nemaha and 4 more	41 min
Dec 15, 3:29 PM CST	Tornado Warning	TOP	Dickinson, Geary, Riley	13 min
Dec 15, 3:33 PM CST	Tornado Warning	TOP	Pottawatomie, Riley	15 min
Dec 15, 3:39 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threat	TOP	Geary, Morris, Wabaunsee	51 min
Dec 15, 3:54 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threat	TOP	Brown, Geary, Jackson, Marshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomie and 3 more	51 min
Dec 15, 3:57 PM CST	Tornado Warning	TOP	Jackson, Pottawatomie	10 min
Dec 15, 4:10 PM CST	Tornado Warning	TOP	Nemaha, Pottawatomie	20 min
Dec 15, 4:20 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threat	TOP	Lyon, Morris, Osage, Shawnee, Wabaunsee	40 min
Dec 15, 4:33 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threat	TOP	Brown, Jackson, Jefferson, Shawnee	27 min
Dec 15, 4:53 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threat	TOP	Douglas, Franklin, Jefferson, Lyon, Osage, Shawnee and 1 more	37 min
Dec 15, 4:54 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threat	TOP	Brown, Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, Shawnee	51 min
Dec 15, 5:09 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	TOP	Franklin, Osage	36 min
Dec 15, 5:15 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threat	TOP	Anderson, Coffey, Franklin, Lyon, Osage	45 min
Dec 15, 5:24 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threat	TOP	Douglas, Franklin, Jefferson, Osage, Shawnee	36 min
Dec 15, 5:42 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	TOP	Franklin, Osage	33 min
Dec 15, 5:54 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	TOP	Anderson, Coffey, Franklin, Osage	36 min
Dec 15, 5:57 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TOP	Douglas, Franklin	18 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Kansas, 2021 Every severe thunderstorm warning 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.