Tornadoes · United States · Nebraska · 2004

F1 tornado, Fremont, Nebraska, May 22, 2004

This F1 tornado ran 2.0 miles across Dodge County on May 22, 2004, touching down at 7:15 PM CDT and reaching 200 yards wide. It killed nobody.

The rating scale

Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The Fujita scale rates the damage rather than measuring the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.

  1. F040 to 72 mph

    Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.

  2. F173 to 112 mphthis tornado

    Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.

  3. F2113 to 157 mph

    Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.

  4. F3158 to 206 mph

    Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.

  5. F4207 to 260 mph

    Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.

  6. F5261 to 318 mph

    Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.

  7. Unrated

    The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.

The record

Rating
F1
Date
May 22, 2004
Touchdown
7:15 PM CDT (00:15 UTC)
Path length
2.0 miles (3.2 km)
Path width
200 yards (183 m)
Deaths
0
Injuries
0
County
Dodge County
Touchdown point
41.450, -96.500
Lift-off point
41.430, -96.470
Record number
93

What the Weather Service recorded

A tornado apparently intermittently touched down from the eastern sections of town where it toppled an air-conditioning unit on top of Walmart onto an SUV parked below, to a farmstead 2 miles east southeast of town where it did extensive damage to farm outbuildings. Power poles were also snapped off in this path.

From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.

The warnings

2 minutes of warning. NWS OAX issued a tornado warning for this county at 00:13 UTC, 2 minutes before the tornado touched down, in force until 01:15 UTC.

Issued (UTC)ExpiredProductOffice
07:49 UTC08:30 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAX
23:12 UTC00:00 UTCTornado WarningOAX
00:01 UTC01:00 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WarningOAX
00:13 UTC01:15 UTCTornado WarningOAX
03:13 UTC09:15 UTCFlash Flood WarningOAX

Every warning and watch covering the touchdown point that day, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service products. Lead time is measured from the issue of the warning in force to the touchdown time in the database, both of which were recorded to the minute by different people.

The forecast that day

The Storm Prediction Center had this point in a Moderate Risk, with a 0.15 chance of a tornado within 25 miles, in the hatched area where significant tornadoes were expected. The outlook in force was issued at 20:01 UTC.

SPC's Day 1 convective outlook as it stood when the tornado began, read at the touchdown point. The same archive is on the radar archive.

The air that afternoon

The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.

Omaha, NE (KOAX), 00:00Z

0.3 hours before the tornado, 16 km from the path. May 23, 2004.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Omaha, NE at 00:00Z on 2004-05-23Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 2882 joules per kilogram, CIN -5, lifted condensation level 1091 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.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. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.
HodographHodograph, Omaha, NE at 00:00Z on 2004-05-23The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers as a curve, rings every 10 meters per second labeled in knots. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 51 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 64 knots.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. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.
Mixed-layer CAPE
2882 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-5 J/kg
Surface CAPE
3473 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1091 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
64 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
6 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
51 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
260 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
4.2
Supercell composite
16.7
0-3 km lapse rate
6.7 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

Omaha, NE (KOAX), 12:00Z

11.7 hours after it, 16 km from the path. May 23, 2004.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Omaha, NE at 12:00Z on 2004-05-23Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 164 joules per kilogram, CIN -322, lifted condensation level 534 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.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. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.
HodographHodograph, Omaha, NE at 12:00Z on 2004-05-23The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers as a curve, rings every 10 meters per second labeled in knots. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -4 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 68 knots.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. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.
Mixed-layer CAPE
164 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-322 J/kg
Surface CAPE
49 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
534 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
68 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
15 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-4 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
45 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0
0-3 km lapse rate
4.0 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The surface observations

Fremont Municipal Arp (FET), 3 km from the path, in the two hours either side.

Time (UTC)Temp (°F)Dew point (°F)WindGust (kt)Pressure (mb)Weather
22:20 UTC78.864.450° 7 kt1002
22:30 UTC78.864.450° 8 kt1001.4
22:40 UTC78.864.450° 8 kt1001.4
22:50 UTC7764.440° 8 kt1000.7
23:00 UTC7764.440° 8 kt1000.7
23:10 UTC7762.640° 11 kt191000
23:20 UTC7762.640° 11 kt191000
23:30 UTC73.462.630° 11 kt18999.3
23:40 UTC73.462.630° 11 kt18999.3
23:50 UTC71.664.480° 7 kt25997.3
00:00 UTC71.664.480° 7 kt25997.3
00:30 UTC6864.410° 11 kt231000
00:31 UTC6866.2360° 11 kt231000
00:40 UTC6866.2360° 11 kt231000
00:50 UTC6864.450° 7 kt1000.3
01:00 UTC6864.450° 7 kt1000.3
01:10 UTC6864.450° 10 kt15999
01:20 UTC6864.450° 10 kt15999
01:30 UTC6862.650° 13 kt21998.3
01:40 UTC6862.650° 13 kt21998.3
01:50 UTC66.262.650° 14 kt20998
02:00 UTC66.262.650° 14 kt20998
02:10 UTC66.262.670° 11 kt20998.3

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of airport observations.

The radar

The Omaha radar (KOAX), 17 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 00:16 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track

Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.

What was reported nearby

Local storm reports within 60 km of the path, in the three hours either side.

Time (UTC)ReportWhereCountyRemark
23:05 UTCHAIL 1.75SchuylerColfax, NE
23:05 UTCHAIL 1.75SchuylerColfax, NE
23:05 UTCHAIL 1.75SchuylerColfax, NE
23:10 UTCTORNADO6 N David CityButler, NEBRIEF TOUCHDOWN.
23:10 UTCTORNADO6 N David CityButler, NEBRIEF TOUCHDOWN.
23:10 UTCTORNADO6 N David CityButler, NEBRIEF TOUCHDOWN.
23:25 UTCHAIL 0.756 Nw North BendDodge, NE
23:25 UTCHAIL 0.756 Nw North BendDodge, NE
23:25 UTCHAIL 0.756 Nw North BendDodge, NE
23:28 UTCHAIL 0.882 W FremontDodge, NE
23:28 UTCHAIL 0.882 W FremontDodge, NE
23:28 UTCHAIL 0.882 W FremontDodge, NE
23:42 UTCHAIL 1.751 W North BendDodge, NE
23:42 UTCHAIL 1.751 W North BendDodge, NE
23:42 UTCHAIL 1.751 W North BendDodge, NE
23:43 UTCHAIL 16 Nw North BendDodge, NE
23:43 UTCHAIL 16 Nw North BendDodge, NE
23:43 UTCHAIL 16 Nw North BendDodge, NE
23:45 UTCHAIL 1.5North BendDodge, NE
23:45 UTCHAIL 1.5North BendDodge, NE
23:50 UTCHAIL 1.756 W North BendColfax, NE
23:50 UTCHAIL 1.756 W North BendColfax, NE
23:50 UTCHAIL 1.756 W North BendColfax, NE
23:57 UTCHAIL 2.751 Ne North BendDodge, NE
23:57 UTCHAIL 2.751 Ne North BendDodge, NE
23:57 UTCHAIL 2.751 Ne North BendDodge, NE
00:01 UTCTSTM WND GST 60FremontDodge, NE
00:01 UTCTSTM WND GST 60FremontDodge, NE
00:01 UTCTSTM WND GST 60FremontDodge, NE
00:01 UTCHAIL 1.75WinslowDodge, NE
00:01 UTCHAIL 1.75WinslowDodge, NE
00:01 UTCHAIL 1.75WinslowDodge, NE
00:03 UTCHAIL 2.75FremontDodge, NE
00:03 UTCHAIL 2.75FremontDodge, NE
00:03 UTCHAIL 2.75FremontDodge, NE
00:05 UTCHAIL 1FremontDodge, NE
00:05 UTCHAIL 1FremontDodge, NE
00:05 UTCHAIL 1FremontDodge, NE
00:06 UTCHAIL 0.88FremontDodge, NE1 TO 2 INCH DIAMETER TREE LIMBS BLOWN OFF.
00:06 UTCHAIL 0.88FremontDodge, NE1 TO 2 INCH DIAMETER TREE LIMBS BLOWN OFF.

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service local storm reports.

This ground now

The live radar over the trackEvery 2004 tornado in NebraskaEvery tornado in Nebraska since 1950Warnings in force in Nebraska nowThe forecast where you are

The other tornadoes of May 22, 2004

64 more were confirmed in the United States that day.

DateTimeRatingWherePath (mi)Width (yd)DeathsInjuriesDamage
May 223:58 PM EDTF0Saginaw, MI2.550
May 224:02 PM EDTF0Saginaw, MI0.230
May 222:10 PM MDTF0Goshen, WY0.225
May 224:35 PM EDTF0Shiawassee, MI0.120
May 224:45 PM EDTF1Tuscola, MI1.050$10,000
May 225:10 PM EDTF0Sanilac, MI1.050$20,000
May 223:20 PM MDTF0Logan, CO0.150
May 225:22 PM CDTF0McPherson, NE0.220
May 225:28 PM CDTF0Furnas, NE0.150$10,000
May 225:35 PM CDTF1Furnas, NE3.0400$300,000
May 225:40 PM CDTF0Logan, NE0.110
May 225:40 PM CDTF0Logan, NE2.020
May 225:49 PM CDTF0Harlan, NE0.250$150,000
May 226:04 PM CDTF0Harlan, NE0.2100
May 226:10 PM CDTF0Colfax, NE0.550
May 226:11 PM CDTF0Harlan, NE0.275
May 226:34 PM CDTF1Custer, NE0.220$40,000
May 226:36 PM CDTF0Franklin, NE0.150$10,000
May 226:46 PM CDTF0Webster, NE3.5125$250,000
May 226:50 PM CDTF1Custer, NE0.530$50,000
May 226:53 PM CDTF0Thayer, NE0.275
May 227:00 PM CDTF2Thayer, NE8.0800$2.5 million
May 227:07 PM CDTF1Adair, IA7.1100$50,000
May 227:10 PM CDTF1Adams, NE7.0150$1.0 million
May 227:11 PM CDTF0Madison, IA0.330
May 227:12 PM CDTF0Custer, NE0.210
May 227:13 PM CDTF0Lincoln, NE0.110
May 227:17 PM CDTF0Custer, NE0.110
May 227:19 PM CDTF2Adams, NE23.0700$5.0 million
May 227:24 PM CDTF0Thayer, NE1.050
May 227:26 PM CDTF1Fillmore, NE2.5100$100,000
May 227:29 PM CDTF1Clay, NE0.225
May 227:30 PM CDTF4Hallam tornado, NE54.04,400138$160 million
May 227:32 PM CDTF1Fillmore, NE2.0150$100,000
May 227:34 PM CDTF0York, NE0.275$40,000
May 227:35 PM CDTF0Jefferson, NE2.080
May 227:45 PM CDTF0Story, IA1.450$2,000
May 227:45 PM CDTF0Dallas, IA0.225
May 227:55 PM CDTF1Dallas, IA5.0100$2,000
May 228:06 PM CDTF0Jasper, IA0.225
May 228:13 PM CDTF0Dallas, IA0.550$1,000
May 228:19 PM CDTF0Harrison, IA0.260
May 228:19 PM CDTF0Marshall, IA0.540
May 228:20 PM CDTF0Jasper, IA0.225
May 228:23 PM CDTF0Jasper, IA0.225
May 228:27 PM CDTF0Dallas, IA0.225
May 228:35 PM CDTF0Jasper, IA0.225
May 228:36 PM CDTF0Jasper, IA1.540$10,000
May 228:40 PM CDTF1Marshall, IA17.0100$10,000
May 228:42 PM CDTF0Republic, KS0.150$10,000
May 228:44 PM CDTF2Republic, KS2.0100$90,000
May 228:45 PM CDTF0Shelby, IA2.0200
May 228:53 PM CDTF1Thayer, NE10.0400$1.0 million
May 228:56 PM CDTF0Republic, KS0.150
May 228:59 PM CDTF0Republic, KS0.150
May 229:06 PM CDTF0Polk, IA2.050
May 229:15 PM CDTF0Tama, IA0.330
May 229:25 PM CDTF0Thayer, NE6.0200$250,000
May 229:30 PM CDTF1Jefferson, NE3.0100
May 229:40 PM CDTF1Cass, NE1.5150

All 65 of them

What this means

Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.

Sources

NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.