Alert archive / Nebraska / Tornado Warnings in 2023

Tornado Warning 21, NWS Omaha, NE

May 12, 20234 counties in Nebraska

NWS Omaha, NE issued this tornado warning at May 12, 2023, 4:50 PM CDT for 4 counties in Nebraska. It was in force for 40 min. 9 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
May 12, 2023, 4:50 PM CDT (21:50 UTC)
Expired
May 12, 2023, 5:30 PM CDT
In force
40 min
Issued by
NWS Omaha, NE
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Observed
Hail
1.5 in

Counties Johnson County, NE, Nemaha County, NE, Pawnee County, NE, Richardson County, NE

The radar

The Omaha radar (KOAX), 126 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:51 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
May 12, 4:52 PM CDTTORNADO2 S Table Rock, NE
May 12, 4:53 PM CDTHAIL 4.5Table Rock, NEMULTIPLE PHOTOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
May 12, 4:54 PM CDTHAIL 1.251 Sw Table Rock, NEREPORT FROM MPING: HALF DOLLAR (1.25 IN.).
May 12, 4:55 PM CDTHAIL 2.75Table Rock, NE
May 12, 5:09 PM CDTHAIL 2.753 E Table Rock, NE
May 12, 5:12 PM CDTHAIL 3.254 Wnw Humboldt, NEREPORT FROM MPING: BASEBALL+ (3.25 IN.).
May 12, 5:15 PM CDTHAIL 24 Wnw Humboldt, NE
May 12, 5:18 PM CDTHAIL 2.757 E Elk Creek, NE
May 12, 5:20 PM CDTHAIL 43 N Humboldt, NEPICTURE FROM TWITTER. DELAYED REPORT.

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
May 12, 1:09 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Omaha, NE (KOAX), launched 12:00Z, 9.8 hours before the alert went out and 126 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 2023-05-12Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 413 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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 2023-05-12The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 52 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
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

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

586 
WFUS53 KOAX 122150
TOROAX
NEC097-127-133-147-122230-
/O.NEW.KOAX.TO.W.0021.230512T2150Z-230512T2230Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
450 PM CDT Fri May 12 2023

The National Weather Service in Omaha has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern Johnson County in southeastern Nebraska...
  Southwestern Nemaha County in southeastern Nebraska...
  Northwestern Richardson County in southeastern Nebraska...
  Northeastern Pawnee County in southeastern Nebraska...

* Until 530 PM CDT.

* At 449 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Table Rock, or
  5 miles northeast of Pawnee City, moving northeast at 20 mph.

  HAZARD...Damaging tornado and ping pong ball size hail.

  SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.

  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
  southeastern Johnson, southwestern Nemaha, northwestern Richardson
  and northeastern Pawnee Counties, including the following
  locations... The Highway 62 and 105 Junction and Kirkmans Cove
  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 4012 9607 4015 9621 4041 9603 4026 9577
TIME...MOT...LOC 2149Z 224DEG 18KT 4017 9609 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN

$$

Petersen
2 follow-up statements
387 
WWUS53 KOAX 122200
SVSOAX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
500 PM CDT Fri May 12 2023

NEC097-122209-
/O.CAN.KOAX.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-230512T2230Z/
Johnson NE-
500 PM CDT Fri May 12 2023

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN JOHNSON 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 900 PM CDT for southeastern
Nebraska.

LAT...LON 4017 9615 4026 9610 4026 9607 4034 9607
      4041 9603 4026 9577 4012 9607
TIME...MOT...LOC 2159Z 227DEG 18KT 4020 9603 

$$

NEC127-133-147-122230-
/O.CON.KOAX.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-230512T2230Z/
Nemaha NE-Richardson NE-Pawnee NE-
500 PM CDT Fri May 12 2023

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN NEMAHA...NORTHWESTERN RICHARDSON AND NORTHEASTERN PAWNEE
COUNTIES...
    
At 459 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located 3 miles northeast of
Table Rock, or 9 miles northeast of Pawnee City, moving northeast at
20 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and baseball size hail.

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.

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
southwestern Nemaha, northwestern Richardson and northeastern Pawnee
Counties, including the following locations... The Highway 62 and 105
Junction and Kirkmans Cove 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 4017 9615 4026 9610 4026 9607 4034 9607
      4041 9603 4026 9577 4012 9607
TIME...MOT...LOC 2159Z 227DEG 18KT 4020 9603 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.75 IN

$$

Petersen
875 
WWUS53 KOAX 122215
SVSOAX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
515 PM CDT Fri May 12 2023

NEC127-133-147-122230-
/O.CON.KOAX.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-230512T2230Z/
Nemaha NE-Richardson NE-Pawnee NE-
515 PM CDT Fri May 12 2023

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN NEMAHA...NORTHWESTERN RICHARDSON AND NORTHEASTERN PAWNEE
COUNTIES...
    
At 515 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 4 miles northwest of Humboldt, or 11 miles northeast of
Pawnee City, moving northeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and baseball 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 tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
southwestern Nemaha, northwestern Richardson and northeastern Pawnee
Counties, including the following locations... The Highway 62 and 105
Junction and Kirkmans Cove 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 4022 9606 4038 9598 4026 9577 4015 9601
TIME...MOT...LOC 2215Z 227DEG 11KT 4021 9599 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.75 IN

$$

Petersen

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 12, 2:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXBoone34 min
May 12, 2:47 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXAntelope, Boone32 min
May 12, 3:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXBoone, Platte45 min
May 12, 3:04 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXPlatte41 min
May 12, 3:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXButler, Lancaster, Saunders, Seward51 min
May 12, 3:26 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOAXBoone96 min
May 12, 3:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXBoone, Platte48 min
May 12, 3:29 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXButler, Colfax, Platte23 min
May 12, 3:29 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXBoone, Madison, Platte46 min
May 12, 3:41 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXBoone, Madison, Platte49 min
May 12, 3:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXButler, Colfax, Lancaster, Saunders, Seward39 min
May 12, 3:51 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOAXBoone, Platte106 min
May 12, 3:58 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXAntelope, Boone, Madison47 min
May 12, 4:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXJohnson, Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson42 min
May 12, 4:10 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOAXBoone, Madison, Platte87 min
May 12, 4:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXButler, Colfax, Platte30 min
May 12, 4:18 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXPlatte42 min
May 12, 4:20 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXMadison, Platte40 min
May 12, 4:24 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXButler, Colfax, Platte51 min
May 12, 4:26 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXJohnson, Nemaha, Pawnee49 min
May 12, 4:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXButler, Colfax39 min
May 12, 4:44 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXMadison, Pierce28 min
May 12, 4:47 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXColfax, Madison, Platte, Stanton43 min
May 12, 4:58 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXButler, Lancaster, Saunders, Seward62 min
May 12, 5:00 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXStanton45 min
May 12, 5:02 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXDodge, Saunders43 min
May 12, 5:07 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXColfax, Platte, Stanton38 min
May 12, 5:08 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXButler, Colfax, Dodge15 min
May 12, 5:11 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXMadison, Pierce11 min
May 12, 5:22 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXNemaha, Pawnee, Richardson38 min
May 12, 5:24 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXDodge, Saunders51 min
May 12, 5:26 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedOAXDodge49 min
May 12, 5:31 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedOAXColfax, Platte, Stanton30 min
May 12, 5:33 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOAXJohnson, Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson110 min
May 12, 5:42 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXNemaha, Richardson48 min
May 12, 5:46 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXCuming, Stanton, Wayne44 min
May 12, 5:54 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedOAXBurt, Cuming, Dodge66 min
May 12, 5:56 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOAXDodge13 min
May 12, 5:58 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOAXNemaha2 hr
May 12, 6:01 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXDodge, Saunders, Washington45 min
May 12, 6:07 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXCuming, Dodge, Saunders38 min
May 12, 6:09 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOAXDodge80 min
May 12, 6:09 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXKnox36 min
May 12, 6:21 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXCedar, Wayne39 min
May 12, 6:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXNemaha, Otoe48 min
May 12, 6:29 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXNemaha12 min
May 12, 6:36 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOAXBurt, Cuming, Dodge98 min
May 12, 6:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOAXBurt, Cuming, Dodge, Saunders, Washington45 min
May 12, 6:49 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAXRichardson56 min
May 12, 6:51 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXNemaha24 min
May 12, 6:56 PM CDTTornado WarningOAXBurt, Dodge, Thurston, Washington36 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.