Alert archive / Nebraska / Tornado Warnings in 2023
Tornado Warning 16, NWS Omaha, NE
NWS Omaha, NE issued this tornado warning at May 12, 2023, 4:18 PM CDT for Platte County, Nebraska. It was in force for 42 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- May 12, 2023, 4:18 PM CDT (21:18 UTC)
- Expired
- May 12, 2023, 5:00 PM CDT
- In force
- 42 min
- Issued by
- NWS Omaha, NE
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
County Platte County, NE
The radar
The Omaha radar (KOAX), 100 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:20 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 watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 12, 1:09 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Omaha, NE (KOAX), launched 12:00Z, 9.3 hours before the alert went out and 100 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
- 413 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -14 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 616 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 30 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 52 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 44 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.6
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Omaha, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at May 12, 2:23 PM CDT, 1 hour 55 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, May 12, 2:23 PM CDT, 1 hour 55 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE 223 PM CDT Fri May 12 2023 ...Updated Forecast Discussion... .DISCUSSION... Issued at 220 PM CDT Fri May 12 2023 Key Messages: - Strong to severe storms likely this afternoon and evening. - Environment capable of supporting tornadic storms. - Precip chances in play most of the forecast period. Water vapor imagery this afternoon showing a tight upper circulation lifting from northwest KS into southwest NE. System was nearly stacked with surface reflection situated in s-central NE with attendant warm front extending into w-central IA and dry line extending through s-central NE into central KS. Short term models are advertising ingredients coming together for potential significant severe weather event over the CWA this afternoon and evening. The upper low mentioned is expected to be in central NE by 23Z with surface low riding along the NE/KS border. Southerly flow ahead of the system will aid with drawing low level moisture northward into the region with dew points in the mid 60s/PWS around 1.5" inches. Current analysis suggests environment is already quite unstable despite thick cloud cover with MLCAPEs from 1500-2500 J/kg. Appears that storm initiation should occur along dry line on nose of steep 0-3km lapse rates. Expect storms to rapidly intensify along increasing boundary layer moisture convergence axis/instability axis. Adequate environmental deep layer shear roughly 40-50kt will be in place to promote rotating cells. And with steep mid layer lapse rates atop increasing low level moisture source, large hail threat will accompany any discrete storms. In addition to this, ESRH values greater than 150 (m2/s2) will enhance threat for tornadic storms. Storm motion for individual cells will be north/northeasterly while overall motion for storm activity will generally be easterly. Latest CAMs for the most part suggest storm activity shifting into the IA CWA sometime around 01Z with continuing threat for tornadic storms. Activity should clear the CWA then toward midnight. In addition to all this, excessively heavy rainfall is a distinct possibility accompanying stronger storms. However, flash flooding may be mitigated due to the speedy nature of individual cell movement. As the upper low lifts from NE into southeast SD, main threat for precip Saturday and Saturday night will be across the northern and eastern periphery of the CWA. Weak isentropic upglide will keep precip chance alive Sunday and Sunday night. Otherwise, precip chances are in play Wednesday afternoon through Thursday as a series of disturbances drop out of the Dakotas into the central Plains. Highs: Sat - upper 70s/low 80s Sun - upper 60s/mid 70s Mon - low 70s Tue - mid/upper 70s Wed - low 80s Thu - low 80s Fri - low/mid 70S && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday afternoon) Issued at 1140 AM CDT Fri May 12 2023 Regional obs showing a mix of MVFR/IFR conditions currently across eastern NE. Main issue to contend with is anticipated threat for strong/severe TSRA developing this afternoon. TSRA activity is expected to initial along a boundary/dry line and quickly intensify as they migrate to the northeast. Given this, have included TEMPO groups to reflect this. Once storms clear improvement to VFR expected. However, models advertising return of MVFR cigs to all terminals toward 12Z Saturday morning. && .OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NE...None. IA...None. && DISCUSSION...DEE AVIATION...DEE
Hazardous weather outlook, May 12, 2:43 PM CDT, 1 hour 35 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE 243 PM CDT Fri May 12 2023 IAZ043-055-056-069-079-080-090-091-NEZ011-012-015>018-030>034- 042>045-050>053-065>068-078-088>093-130945- Monona-Harrison-Shelby-Pottawattamie-Mills-Montgomery-Fremont- Page-Knox-Cedar-Thurston-Antelope-Pierce-Wayne-Boone-Madison- Stanton-Cuming-Burt-Platte-Colfax-Dodge-Washington-Butler- Saunders-Douglas-Sarpy-Seward-Lancaster-Cass-Otoe-Saline- Jefferson-Gage-Johnson-Nemaha-Pawnee-Richardson- 243 PM CDT Fri May 12 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southwest Iowa...west central Iowa...east central Nebraska...northeast Nebraska and southeast Nebraska. .DAY ONE...Tonight and Saturday There is an Enhanced Risk for severe weather late this afternoon and evening. Storm initiation is expected along a dryline from about Albion to Columbus to Lincoln, and then continue to develop east southeast, while moving to the northeast. Severe storms should move out of the local area toward midnight. All modes of severe weather are possible, including large hail of 1 to 2 inches, damaging winds, flash flooding, and tornado or two. Thunderstorm chances continue on Saturday over areas north of the I-80 corridor. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday night through Thursday There is a Marginal Risk for severe weather for northeast Nebraska and western Iowa Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and evening.
In the hours before
Local storm report, May 12, 3:16 PM CDT, 1 hour 2 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OMAHA/VALLEY NE
316 PM CDT FRI MAY 12 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0314 PM HAIL 2 ESE PLEASANT DALE 40.78N 96.89W
05/12/2023 M1.00 INCH LANCASTER NE EMERGENCY MNGR
&&Local storm report, May 12, 3:17 PM CDT, 1 hour 1 minute before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OMAHA/VALLEY NE
317 PM CDT FRI MAY 12 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0311 PM HAIL DENTON 40.75N 96.84W
05/12/2023 U0.75 INCH LANCASTER NE PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
&&Local storm report, May 12, 3:24 PM CDT, 54 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OMAHA/VALLEY NE
324 PM CDT FRI MAY 12 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0323 PM HAIL 2 NNE PLEASANT DALE 40.82N 96.91W
05/12/2023 M1.25 INCH SEWARD NE STORM CHASER
&&Local storm report, May 12, 3:35 PM CDT, 43 minutes before
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</html>Local storm report, May 12, 3:56 PM CDT, 22 minutes before
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</html>Local storm report, May 12, 4:14 PM CDT, 4 minutes before
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</html>The office that day
Everything else NWS Omaha, NE issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 12, 2:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Boone | 34 min |
| May 12, 2:47 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Antelope, Boone | 32 min |
| May 12, 3:00 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Boone, Platte | 45 min |
| May 12, 3:04 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Platte | 41 min |
| May 12, 3:09 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Butler, Lancaster, Saunders, Seward | 51 min |
| May 12, 3:26 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | OAX | Boone | 96 min |
| May 12, 3:27 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Boone, Platte | 48 min |
| May 12, 3:29 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Butler, Colfax, Platte | 23 min |
| May 12, 3:29 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Boone, Madison, Platte | 46 min |
| May 12, 3:41 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Boone, Madison, Platte | 49 min |
| May 12, 3:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Butler, Colfax, Lancaster, Saunders, Seward | 39 min |
| May 12, 3:51 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | OAX | Boone, Platte | 106 min |
| May 12, 3:58 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Antelope, Boone, Madison | 47 min |
| May 12, 4:03 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson | 42 min |
| May 12, 4:10 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | OAX | Boone, Madison, Platte | 87 min |
| May 12, 4:15 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Butler, Colfax, Platte | 30 min |
| May 12, 4:20 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Madison, Platte | 40 min |
| May 12, 4:24 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Butler, Colfax, Platte | 51 min |
| May 12, 4:26 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee | 49 min |
| May 12, 4:36 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Butler, Colfax | 39 min |
| May 12, 4:44 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Madison, Pierce | 28 min |
| May 12, 4:47 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Colfax, Madison, Platte, Stanton | 43 min |
| May 12, 4:50 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson | 40 min |
| May 12, 4:58 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Butler, Lancaster, Saunders, Seward | 62 min |
| May 12, 5:00 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Stanton | 45 min |
| May 12, 5:02 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Dodge, Saunders | 43 min |
| May 12, 5:07 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Colfax, Platte, Stanton | 38 min |
| May 12, 5:08 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Butler, Colfax, Dodge | 15 min |
| May 12, 5:11 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Madison, Pierce | 11 min |
| May 12, 5:22 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson | 38 min |
| May 12, 5:24 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Dodge, Saunders | 51 min |
| May 12, 5:26 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Dodge | 49 min |
| May 12, 5:31 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Colfax, Platte, Stanton | 30 min |
| May 12, 5:33 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | OAX | Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson | 110 min |
| May 12, 5:42 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Nemaha, Richardson | 48 min |
| May 12, 5:46 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Cuming, Stanton, Wayne | 44 min |
| May 12, 5:54 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Burt, Cuming, Dodge | 66 min |
| May 12, 5:56 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | OAX | Dodge | 13 min |
| May 12, 5:58 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | OAX | Nemaha | 2 hr |
| May 12, 6:01 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Dodge, Saunders, Washington | 45 min |
| May 12, 6:07 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Cuming, Dodge, Saunders | 38 min |
| May 12, 6:09 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | OAX | Dodge | 80 min |
| May 12, 6:09 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Knox | 36 min |
| May 12, 6:21 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Cedar, Wayne | 39 min |
| May 12, 6:27 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Nemaha, Otoe | 48 min |
| May 12, 6:29 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Nemaha | 12 min |
| May 12, 6:36 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | OAX | Burt, Cuming, Dodge | 98 min |
| May 12, 6:45 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Burt, Cuming, Dodge, Saunders, Washington | 45 min |
| May 12, 6:49 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OAX | Richardson | 56 min |
| May 12, 6:51 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Nemaha | 24 min |
| May 12, 6:56 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OAX | Burt, Dodge, Thurston, Washington | 36 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Nebraska, 2023Every tornado warning in 2023Tornadoes in 2023
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.