Alert archive / Kansas / Special Weather Statements in 2021

Special Weather Statement, NWS Topeka, KS

May 9, 2021Dickinson County, Kansas

NWS Topeka, KS issued this special weather statement at May 9, 2021, 12:00 AM CDT for Dickinson County, Kansas. It was in force for 45 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
May 9, 2021, 12:00 AM CDT (05:00 UTC)
Expired
May 9, 2021, 12:45 AM CDT
In force
45 min
Issued by
NWS Topeka, KS

County Dickinson County, KS

The radar

The Topeka radar (KTWX), 89 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 04:59 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.

The nearest sounding before it

Topeka, KS (KTOP), launched 00:00Z, 5.0 hours before the alert went out and 139 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 2021-05-09Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 377 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Topeka, KS at 00:00Z on 2021-05-09The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 106 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
377 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-170 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1653 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
39 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
106 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
362 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
6.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

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What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this special weather statement went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Topeka, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before this special weather statement went out at May 8, 6:10 PM CDT, 5 hours 50 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 8, 6:10 PM CDT, 5 hours 50 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Topeka KS
610 PM CDT Sat May 8 2021

...Update to aviation forecast discussion...

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 259 PM CDT Sat May 8 2021

1930Z water vapor imagery showed a closed low over western MT with a
shortwave rotating through the base of the trough over the central
Rockies. A low pressure system as been steadily deepening across
southwest KS and southeast CO. The warm front extending northeast of
the surface low had lifted into south central NEB and far northeast
KS.

Severe thunderstorms remain probable tonight as guidance from the
CAMs as well as the synoptic scale solutions develop a complex of
storms and move them east along the warm frontal boundary tonight.
If there has been a trend in the CAMs, the HRRR has been a little
west with the initiation of storms and slower to bring them into the
western parts of the forecast area. Otherwise they've been pretty
consistent. Aircraft soundings near MCI show a substantial capping
inversion near the warm front at 18Z and one near ICT at 1822Z also
shows a cap over the warm sector. With the shortwave still to the
west, will need to wait for storms to form near the triple point and
move east. Forecast soundings from the NAM and RAP continue to
forecast a mid level weakness in the wind field causing the
hodograph to have an inflection. This would suggest storms would
tend to split with cell mergers causing disruption with the updrafts
and this seems to be what the CAMs depict this evening. However the
low level jet is progged to strengthen as the shortwave moves into
the plains and 12Z NAM forecast soundings show a brief window just
ahead of the cold front where the hodograph elongates and loses the
inflection. So there could be a risk for tornadoes into the evening,
especially if a supercell storm could set up on the south of the
convective cluster with uncontaminated access to the warm sector.
There continues to also be a large hail risk and damaging winds.
Some of the forecast soundings analogs show the potential for hail
over 2 inches in diameter and with storms expected to congeal into a
line, damaging winds may be the more widespread hazard to deal with
tonight.

As for flash flooding, there is a bit more uncertainty in excessive
rainfall for a couple reasons. First storms look to be fairly
progressive. If there was going to be a training concern, it would
be along the warm front, but eventually the cold front should catch
up and push the convection east and south. Second, models have
trended further north with the axis of heaviest rainfall, and this
makes some sense as the warm front has lifted into southern NEB.
North central and northeast Kansas missed out on the isolated
rainfall this morning and flash flood guidance of 2+ inches an hour
support the idea that the ground could take a quick one or two inch
downpour. Ultimately I think any flash flooding risk is going to be
to isolated for a watch and driven by repeated convection over the
same spot which isn't a forgone conclusion.

Something else to be concerned with tonight are the gradient winds
behind the surface low. Models show the pressure gradient increasing
as the low passes south of the forecast area. There is the potential
for winds to remain up overnight and into Sunday morning, but it
looks like the stronger pressure gradient forcing and wind gusts are
coincident with the convection expected to occur. Even the HRRR
keeps wind gusts below advisory levels. Think that if the gradient
winds could reach advisory levels, it would be brief and right after
storms pass, with the gradient beginning to relax shortly after
storms move out. Because of this have opted not to issue a wind
advisory and will monitor trends.

Rain is expected to push east of the forecast area fairly early in
the day Sunday with surface ridging building in. Cloud cover for a
good portion of the day along with low level cold air advection is
expected to keep temps in the 50s on Sunday and breezy north winds
will make it feel cooler than that. The surface ridge remain over the
central plains through Wednesday keeping temps below normal. There
remains some potential for rain Monday through Wednesday as models
show some energy kicking out from the west and riding over the
central plains. There has been some variability in model runs with
respect to the energy lifting out across the area and as a result
POPs have bounced around a little bit. At this time it appears the
better forcing for precip may impact the area Tuesday. But
confidence in POPs is only so-so. Return flow redevelops Thursday
with temps warming into next weekend. Differences between the GFS
and ECMWF lead to more uncertainty in the forecast by Saturday, so
did not stray from the national blend of models. This has chances
for showers and thunderstorms Thursday night through Saturday.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Sunday evening)
Issued at 610 PM CDT Sat May 8 2021

Only minor changes to going forecast. Convective complexes slowly
taking shape to the west and thunderstorm impacts are on track
for the next several hours. Post-complex winds continue to veer
into the end of this forecast though MVFR cigs will likely
persist.

&&

.TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NONE.
&&

DISCUSSION...Wolters
AVIATION...65
Hazardous weather outlook, May 8, 3:11 PM CDT, 8 hours 49 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Topeka KS
311 PM CDT Sat May 8 2021

KSZ008>012-020>024-026-034>040-054>056-058-059-092015-
Republic-Washington-Marshall-Nemaha-Brown-Cloud-Clay-Riley-
Pottawatomie-Jackson-Jefferson-Ottawa-Dickinson-Geary-Morris-
Wabaunsee-Shawnee-Douglas-Lyon-Osage-Franklin-Coffey-Anderson-
311 PM CDT Sat May 8 2021

This hazardous weather outlook is for east central...north
central and northeast Kansas.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and tonight.

Severe thunderstorms are expected to develop across central Kansas
this afternoon and move into parts of north central Kansas between
6 and 8 pm this evening. Storms may be able to generate very large
hail, damaging winds and a tornado or two. The thunderstorms are
forecast to form into one or more clusters as they move into
northeast and parts of east central Kansas between 8 and 11 pm.
Damaging winds could become increasingly more widespread along
with large hail and there could still be a tornado if conditions
line up just right. Locally heavy rain will also pose a hazard and
will likely lead to ponding of water on roads as well as creeks
and streams running full.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters across north central Kansas should be ready for
activation after 6 pm this evening.

&&

More detailed information can be accessed at...
http://www.weather.gov/top/sitrep

Wolters

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 8, 10:27 PM CDT, 1 hour 33 minutes before
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Local storm report, May 8, 11:15 PM CDT, 45 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 8, 11:26 PM CDT, 34 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
1126 PM CDT Sat May 8 2021

KSZ040-090515-
Douglas-
1126 PM CDT Sat May 8 2021

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR DOUGLAS COUNTY UNTIL 1215 AM
CDT...

At 1125 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Williamstown to 3 miles northwest of
Overbrook. Movement was east at 55 mph.

Pea size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these
storms.

Locations impacted include...
Lawrence, Baldwin City, Eudora, Lecompton, Clinton, Lone Star,
Pleasant Grove, Clinton Lake, Vinland and Globe.

This includes Kansas Turnpike between mile markers 189 and 205.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for northeastern
and east central Kansas.

LAT...LON 3874 9550 3906 9550 3906 9539 3903 9535
      3904 9530 3903 9529 3904 9528 3903 9519
      3897 9519 3896 9517 3898 9516 3897 9513
      3897 9511 3895 9509 3896 9508 3898 9508
      3899 9506 3874 9506
TIME...MOT...LOC 0425Z 264DEG 46KT 3907 9531 3882 9560
Local storm report, May 8, 11:33 PM CDT, 27 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
1133 PM CDT SAT MAY 8 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1110 PM     TSTM WND GST     VALLEY FALLS            39.34N 95.46W
05/08/2021  E70 MPH          JEFFERSON          KS   EMERGENCY MNGR

&&

BD
Local storm report, May 8, 11:38 PM CDT, 22 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
1138 PM CDT SAT MAY 8 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1120 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 WNW MCLOUTH           39.22N 95.25W
05/08/2021                   JEFFERSON          KS   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

            TREE REPORTED DOWN AND BLOCKING THE ROAD.

&&

BD
Special weather statement, May 9, 12:00 AM CDT, 0 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
1200 AM CDT Sun May 9 2021

KSZ035-090545-
Dickinson-
1200 AM CDT Sun May 9 2021

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN DICKINSON COUNTY UNTIL
1245 AM CDT...

At 1159 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Gypsum, moving east at 35 mph.

Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Herington, Hope and Carlton.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for central and
east central Kansas.

LAT...LON 3876 9737 3878 9693 3861 9693 3861 9737
TIME...MOT...LOC 0459Z 266DEG 30KT 3871 9739

65/DR

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 8, 7:15 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPRepublic15 min
May 8, 7:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPRepublic33 min
May 8, 7:52 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPMarshall23 min
May 8, 7:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPRepublic, Washington49 min
May 8, 8:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPMarshall42 min
May 8, 8:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPMarshall, Washington52 min
May 8, 8:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPDickinson57 min
May 8, 9:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPGeary, Morris, Riley51 min
May 8, 9:27 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPMarshall33 min
May 8, 9:51 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPGeary, Pottawatomie, Riley24 min
May 8, 10:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPGeary, Jackson, Morris, Pottawatomie, Riley, Shawnee and 1 more42 min
May 8, 10:11 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPPottawatomie, Riley, Wabaunsee21 min
May 8, 10:43 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPLyon, Osage, Shawnee, Wabaunsee47 min
May 8, 11:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPJackson, Jefferson, Shawnee45 min
May 8, 11:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPDickinson45 min
May 8, 11:26 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPDouglas49 min
May 8, 11:42 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryTOPShawnee, Wabaunsee3 hr
May 9, 12:00 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryTOPDickinson, Geary3 hr
May 9, 12:15 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPShawnee, Wabaunsee4 hr
May 9, 12:31 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryTOPDouglas3 hr
May 9, 12:58 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPMorris47 min
May 9, 2:28 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPCoffey32 min
May 9, 3:56 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPDouglas, Jackson, Jefferson, Shawnee49 min

Nearby

Special Weather Statements in Kansas, 2021Every special weather statement 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.