Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Damaging Tornadoes Slam Plains

Posted by: Shaun Tanner, 6:50 AM GMT on April 15, 2012

+36

A devastating string of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes tracked through Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska on Saturday. This severe weather outbreak was remarkable in its duration as supercell thunderstorms began to pop up in western Kansas late Saturday morning, and the dry line that was supposed to represent the end of the severe weather threat was only halfway through Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas by 1:00 AM Central Time Sunday. The moisture difference on either side of this dry line was remarkable as well, with dew points in the upper 60's to the east, and a very dry 20's to the west.

SPC Storm Reports from Saturday

The SPC storm reports show the track of these storms, with Kansas being the hardest hit. Early in the afternoon, most of the supercell thunderstorms were consistently producing weak tornadoes that skipped across western and central Kansas. As the low-level jet stream kicked in late in the afternoon and into the evening, the thunderstorms strengthened considerably. Probably the most remarkable supercell thunderstorm began in western Oklahoma near Woodward as a stunning multi-vortex tornado. The tornado actually was several tornadoes that danced into southern Kansas and eventually threatened Wichita. The tornado passed just south and east of the city, producing an 84 mph wind gust at the Wichita Airport. It also did extensive damage at the airport. In addition, the Oaklawn area of Wichita was declared a disaster area very soon after the tornado passed. The Sedgwick County commissioner declared the county a disaster area. This wedge tornado eventually moved along the Kansas Turnpike northeast of Wichita before finally dissipating.

Figure 1. Double tornadoes in Oklahoma close to the Kansas border. Image credit: news9.com

Figure 2. This tornado sparked a fire in Oklahoma as it passed through the area northeast of Woodward. Image credit: news9.com

The deadliest tornado of the outbreak struck Woodward, OK early Sunday morning, as the main squall line moved through western Oklahoma. This tornado was very large and particularly dangerous since it occurred at night when most residents assumed the threat had ended. There were multiple reports of not hearing the city's siren, so it is entirely possible that the siren was either struck by lightning or hit by the tornado itself. At least five deaths have been confirmed in the Woodward area from this tornado. Probably the scariest video of a tornado I have ever seen was taken of this Woodward tornado as it moved into town. Note you can see the scale of the tornado as between power flashes.

Video 1. Storm chaser video of one of Saturday's impressive tornadoes near Salina, Kansas.

Figure 3. Radar reflectivity image of the tornado that hit the south side of Wichita, Kansas, causing damage at the Wichita airport.

Perhaps the most telling feature of this severe weather outbreak was its repetitive nature. Salina, KS was tornado warned three times by three separate severe thunderstorms. Similarly, areas from Medicine Lodge to Kingman, Kansas were warned for two separate thunderstorms, while Woodward itself was warned very early in the day before a different tornado moved through the city late in the night.

Last night's storms have weakened, but a new round of severe weather is expected Sunday afternoon over portions of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center has put the region under their second highest level of alert, a "Moderate Risk."

Shaun Tanner

Thunderstorm Wind Damage (dhennem)

Straight line winds from a thunderstorm this evening blew several semi tractor/trailers over on Interstate 29 in Fremont county, Iowa.

Freak Hail Storm Texas Panhandle (Randy7628)

Night tornado (Andrewbre)

Night tornado in Manchester,OK

Clouds II (amo1379)

Categories: Tornado Severe Weather

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501. MAweatherboy1 12:47 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting RTSplayer: Nature and models don't follow artificial man-made groupings or definitions on cyclone formation. It could make a "warm seclusion" or just a "rotating thingamajig" for which we don't have a technical name. GFS still takes it to 50kts surface winds. NAM takes it to 46kts surface winds. Euro still takes it to 33m/s @ 850mb layer which again translates to roughly 65mph surface winds. So even if it doesn't meet the textbook definition of a TS, it's apparently going to be about the same strength anyway. How do you know what the NAM takes it too? I didn't think the NAM ranged into the central Atlantic Member Since: February 11, 2012 Posts: 71 Comments: 6536

502. Tropicsweatherpr 12:48 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Nothing yet from atcf about invest tonight. Tommorow is when we may have 91L. Link Member Since: April 29, 2009 Posts: 67 Comments: 8795

503. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 12:49 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
XX/AOI/XXL MARK 31.25N/51.23W Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 147 Comments: 41332

504. HurricaneDean07 12:49 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting MAweatherboy1: I sort of agree with you... Why do sub-tropical storms get named when all the Nor'easters that roll up the east coast in the winter (except this past winter) and are just as bad as sub-tropical storms not get named? Nor-easters are non-tropical in nature, and sub-tropical systems are, thats all i got to say :) Member Since: October 3, 2010 Posts: 40 Comments: 4129

505. weatherh98 12:50 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
The prog charts stall the front out over txla, could mean that areascould get 4+ inches! Member Since: June 17, 2011 Posts: 11 Comments: 6301

506. HurricaneDean07 12:51 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting Tropicsweatherpr: Nothing yet from atcf about invest tonight. Tommorow is when we may have 91L. Link It'll be clearer tomorrow on what'll happen, the system is still trying to seperate from the frontal boundary that's leaving it behind moving off east. 91L tomorrow most likely Member Since: October 3, 2010 Posts: 40 Comments: 4129

507. JrWeathermanFL 12:52 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
We're here talking about the possibility of Alberto forming and the NHC might not even be watching it. They're strict on naming. Member Since: July 19, 2011 Posts: 8 Comments: 1089

508. HurricaneDean07 12:54 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
personally it's been remarkably quiet through all of the tropics this winter/spring. The cyclone season was really minimal due to the demise of the La Nina. Member Since: October 3, 2010 Posts: 40 Comments: 4129

509. nigel20 12:54 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting HurricaneDean07: The beginnings of "Invest 91L" yeah, looking better Member Since: November 6, 2010 Posts: 2 Comments: 4904

510. Zappy 12:54 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting HurricaneDean07: Nor-easters are non-tropical in nature, and sub-tropical systems are, thats all i got to say :) IMO sub-tropical are not tropical, but it potentially could develop into a tropical system. That's why the NHC watches them and names them. "Potentially tropical" Member Since: April 14, 2012 Posts: 0 Comments: 62

511. yqt1001 12:54 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting JrWeathermanFL: We're here talking about the possibility of Alberto forming and the NHC might not even be watching it. They're strict on naming. I'm sure they have nothing better to do like us. :P Member Since: November 19, 2010 Posts: 1 Comments: 1193

512. weatherh98 12:55 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting JrWeathermanFL: We're here talking about the possibility of Alberto forming and the NHC might not even be watching it. They're strict on naming. Not when it comes to Like emilys tenth kid... Member Since: June 17, 2011 Posts: 11 Comments: 6301

513. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 12:56 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting HurricaneDean07: It'll be clearer tomorrow on what'll happen, the system is still trying to seperate from the frontal boundary that's leaving it behind moving off east. 91L tomorrow most likely that part is about to commence as frontal boundary races away from the centre area Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 147 Comments: 41332

514. MAweatherboy1 12:56 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting HurricaneDean07: personally it's been remarkably quiet through all of the tropics this winter/spring. The cyclone season* was really minimal due to the demise of the La Nina.* Numerically it was minimal but it was actually very bad in terms of damage, espcially Funso and Giovanna Member Since: February 11, 2012 Posts: 71 Comments: 6536

515. NCHurricane2009 12:56 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
I posted a blog to cover every corner of what's going on in the Atlantic basin...in practice for the upcoming hurricane season. Let me know what y'all think if you haven't taken a gander. This is my 4th such post this week...& it covers the subtropical cyclone potential as well as a severe weather summary of yesterday. I plan to do these posts daily during the season...so if there's anything you can recommend to make them better...give a shout out... I'm off to taco bell cause I am hungry...I'll be back in half an hour... Member Since: September 15, 2009 Posts: 302 Comments: 3389

517. HurricaneDean07 12:57 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting JrWeathermanFL: We're here talking about the possibility of Alberto forming and the NHC might not even be watching it. They're strict on naming. That's true, but they are watching it... they tagged it as a "developing system" on the surface chart. Member Since: October 3, 2010 Posts: 40 Comments: 4129

518. Thrawst 12:57 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Anybody see on the models any possible outbreaks of severe weather in the long term (or short term) ? I'm mad that I missed the opportunity to watch probably one of Kansas's most prolific tornado outbreaks yesterday... I coulda informed some people. Member Since: July 18, 2010 Posts: 49 Comments: 1158

519. MAweatherboy1 12:57 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting weatherh98: Not when it comes to Like emilys tenth kid... Oh come on... Jose was a Cat 5. We all know it but no one will admit it... He gets no credit for his immense power. Member Since: February 11, 2012 Posts: 71 Comments: 6536

520. nrtiwlnvragn 12:58 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting yqt1001: I'm sure they have nothing better to do like us. :P Most of the Hurricane Specialists will be at the AMS 30th Conference on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology this week. Member Since: September 23, 2005 Posts: 12 Comments: 9095

521. HurricaneDean07 12:58 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting MAweatherboy1: Numerically it was minimal but it was actually very bad in terms of damage, espcially Funso and Giovanna That's understandable, but im talking like Fiji storms and such, there seem to be MANY more storms in that region last year compared to this year. Member Since: October 3, 2010 Posts: 40 Comments: 4129

522. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 12:58 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
can not be here long still computer problems should be back tomorrow or tuseday the latest Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 147 Comments: 41332

523. Zappy 12:59 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Man those Victoria cells are trying hard to form a hook and rotate. I'll be back on later. Argh EDIT: no signs of rotation in new velocity scan Member Since: April 14, 2012 Posts: 0 Comments: 62

524. JrWeathermanFL 12:59 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting HurricaneDean07: That's true, but they are watching it... they tagged it as a "developing system" on the surface chart. Well, we know that their watching at least... Member Since: July 19, 2011 Posts: 8 Comments: 1089

525. MAweatherboy1 12:59 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting HurricaneDean07: That's understandable, but im talking like Fiji storms and such, there seem to be MANY more storms in that region last year compared to this year. Oh definitely... It was really quiet out there Member Since: February 11, 2012 Posts: 71 Comments: 6536

526. HurricaneDean07 12:59 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting weatherh98: Not when it comes to Like emilys tenth kid... Yeah, that Emily was one heck of a birthmother. Member Since: October 3, 2010 Posts: 40 Comments: 4129

527. NCHurricane2009 1:00 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting JrWeathermanFL: We're here talking about the possibility of Alberto forming and the NHC might not even be watching it. They're strict on naming. Its not like the guys at the NHC are less informed than we are...they see the say model runs we see and I'll bet they are watching it like we are....they just are very conservative in their products when it comes to discussing ANY out of season tropical event. Member Since: September 15, 2009 Posts: 302 Comments: 3389

528. washingtonian115 1:01 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
And...here...we..GO!!. Member Since: August 14, 2010 Posts: 6 Comments: 11205

529. TropicalAnalystwx13 1:02 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting Thrawst: Anybody see on the models any possible outbreaks of severe weather in the long term (or short term) ? I'm mad that I missed the opportunity to watch probably one of Kansas's most prolific tornado outbreaks yesterday... I coulda informed some people. The GFS is showing no outbreaks anywhere in its model run. It looks like we are safe for a while with a minor cool blast entering the Eastern USA next week and high pressure building across the Central Plains. Member Since: July 6, 2010 Posts: 92 Comments: 25987

530. HurricaneDean07 1:02 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Be back tomorrow... Bye everyone Member Since: October 3, 2010 Posts: 40 Comments: 4129

531. sunlinepr 1:02 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting Tropicsweatherpr: I dont know what is the opinion by all of you,but I dont like the naming of Sub-Tropical systems.This is the reason it's hard to have fewer than 10 named storms since they began naming them. (Except 2009) Prior to the last decade, there would not even have been the consideration of naming such a system. Agree.... For me Weather science should name everything that is related to climatology and then measure and acquire & store data, the same way the hurricane season is treated. Member Since: August 2, 2010 Posts: 19 Comments: 8469

532. TropicalAnalystwx13 1:04 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Moderate risk bust. Member Since: July 6, 2010 Posts: 92 Comments: 25987

533. weatherh98 1:04 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting MAweatherboy1: Oh come on... Jose was a Cat 5. We all know it but no one will admit it... He gets no credit for his immense power. No cat 7 Member Since: June 17, 2011 Posts: 11 Comments: 6301

534. GeoffreyWPB 1:05 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Nice weather for West Palm Beach... Member Since: September 10, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 9248

535. MAweatherboy1 1:07 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting TropicalAnalystwx13: Moderate risk bust. Yep... SPC struggled with today... You can't really blame them though because they had to focus most of their attention on yesterday Member Since: February 11, 2012 Posts: 71 Comments: 6536

536. nigel20 1:08 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting TropicalAnalystwx13: The GFS is showing no outbreaks anywhere in its model run. It looks like we are safe for a while with a minor cool blast entering the Eastern USA next week and high pressure building across the Central Plains. That's good as you guys need a break cause more than likely you'll have atleast a few more large outbreaks between now and June. Whats up TAwx13? Member Since: November 6, 2010 Posts: 2 Comments: 4904

537. weatherh98 1:08 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Night all Member Since: June 17, 2011 Posts: 11 Comments: 6301

539. MAweatherboy1 1:09 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
I'm out for the night... Hopefully we'll be tracking an invest tomorrow :) Member Since: February 11, 2012 Posts: 71 Comments: 6536

540. LargoFl 1:10 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting KEEPEROFTHEGATE: can not be here long still computer problems should be back tomorrow or tuseday the latest Hope you get it fixed keeper you'll be missed Member Since: August 6, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 22514

541. oreodogsghost 1:11 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Looks like a good T-storm building just north of El Campo in southern Wharton County (for non-Texans - about 70 miles SW of Houston) Member Since: February 2, 2009 Posts: 21 Comments: 1449

542. LargoFl 1:12 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING ILC083-117-119-160145- /O.NEW.KLSX.SV.W.0093.120416T0101Z-120416T0145Z/ BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ST LOUIS MO 801 PM CDT SUN APR 15 2012 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ST LOUIS HAS ISSUED A * SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... NORTHEASTERN JERSEY COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS... MACOUPIN COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS... NORTH CENTRAL MADISON COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS... * UNTIL 845 PM CDT * AT 757 PM CDT...A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WAS LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM JERSEYVILLE TO WEST ALTON...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 60 MPH. HAZARD...60 MPH WIND GUSTS. SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED. IMPACT...MINOR TREE DAMAGE...WITH LIMBS UP TO ONE INCH IN DIAMETER BROKEN. * LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... BETHALTO...STAUNTON...CARLINVILLE...GILLESPIE...BR IGHTON... KEMPER...DORSEY...SHIPMAN...PRAIRIETOWN...WORDEN.. .BUNKER HILL... LIVINGSTON...WILSONVILLE...BENLD...MOUNT OLIVE...GIRARD... FIDELITY...PIASA...MILES STATION AND MEDORA. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA. TORNADOES CAN DEVELOP QUICKLY FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. ALTHOUGH ONE IS NOT IMMEDIATELY LIKELY...IF A TORNADO IS SPOTTED...ACT QUICKLY AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE...SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM. FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A BUILDING. && LAT...LON 3895 8970 3889 9007 3913 9031 3951 8971 TIME...MOT...LOC 0100Z 230DEG 51KT 3914 9026 3892 9017 HAIL...<.75IN WIND...60 MPH $$ BRITT Member Since: August 6, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 22514

543. Tazmanian 1:12 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
did some one say Alberto ? Member Since: May 21, 2006 Posts: 5089 Comments: 111632

544. TropicalAnalystwx13 1:12 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting nigel20: That's good as you guys need a break cause more than likely you'll have atleast a few more large outbreaks between now and June. Whats up TAwx13? Hey. Member Since: July 6, 2010 Posts: 92 Comments: 25987

545. nigel20 1:13 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
April 1 SST Anomaly Member Since: November 6, 2010 Posts: 2 Comments: 4904

546. washingtonian115 1:18 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Everybody decides to leave when I get on. Member Since: August 14, 2010 Posts: 6 Comments: 11205

547. nrtiwlnvragn 1:23 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Quoting RTSplayer: The Europeans actually name non-tropical North Atlantic lows. I suppose the NWS catalogs all of this in computers for years and years and uses models to "post-dict" conditions to test them or something. At least I hope they do, because even if models can't use all the data now, perhaps in the future we'll have computers strong enough to crunch the entire history of weather data... If you had enough data points and robust enough code, it might be possible to produce a self-learning weather prediction model. It is, after all, just pure mathematics. Yes they archive the data, they ran all of the 2010 and 2011 storms to test the GFDL upgrade. Member Since: September 23, 2005 Posts: 12 Comments: 9095

548. TropicalAnalystwx13 1:25 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
. Member Since: July 6, 2010 Posts: 92 Comments: 25987

550. oreodogsghost 1:27 AM GMT on April 16, 2012
Is the cap breaking SW of Houston? Member Since: February 2, 2009 Posts: 21 Comments: 1449

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