August 12th 2011 severe storms

August 12th 2011 storms

Summary: A high precipitation supercell initially developed to the north of Greensburg, Kansas and Pratt, Kansas, where an existing outflow boundary intersected the main synoptic cold front. The supercells quickly dropped southeast into Barber and Harper County, Kansas. These intense supercell thunderstorms evolved into a bow echo type storm as it moved into Barber and Harper Counties, producing widespread wind damage across Harper County, Kansas. Additional thunderstorms developed along the main cold frontal boundary across Central Kansas and produced damaging winds across portions of McPherson County near Goessel and Harvey County near Hesston and Newton. The line of storms continued to drop southeast across much of Southern Kansas producing much needed rainfall to most of the area.

For more information on the storm across Barber County, Kansas, go to this link from the NWS Dodge City:

Severe Storms Produce 60 to 80mph winds on August 12, 2011

The radar loop below shows the initial supercells developing to the northwest of Pratt, Kansas and then tracks southeast towards Attica and Anthony, Kansas. The loop continues with storms developing across Central Kansas along the main cold front then rapidly dropping south.

Radar images

Harper County Storm

Base reflectivity radar image as the storm moved into Harper County, Kansas at 6:41pm on August 12th, 2011.

Base velocity image showing the possible 75 to 80 knot winds (bright green area) moving into the western half of Harper County, Kansas at 6:41pm on August 12th, 2011.

Base reflectivity radar image
Harper County, Kansas at
6:50pm on August 12th, 2011.

Base velocity image showing the possible 75 to 80 knot winds (bright green area) moving into Attica, Kansas at 6:50pm on August 12th, 2011.

Radar Images

McPherson and Harvey County Storms

Base reflectivity radar image as the storm moved over McPherson County, Kansas at 8pm on August 12th, 2011.

Base velocity image showing the possible 70 to 75 knot winds (bright green area) moving into southern portions of McPherson County, Kansas into Harvey County, Kansas at 8pm on August 12th, 2011.

Base reflectivity radar image as the storm moved into Harvey County, Kansas near Newton and Heston, Kansas at 8:10pm on August 12th, 2011.

Base velocity image showing the possible 70 to 75 knot winds (bright green area) moving into Harvey County, Kansas near Newton and Hesston, Kansas at 8:10pm on August 12th, 2011.

Storm Reports

Some notable storm reports

Attica, Kansas - 85 mph winds.
Harper County - Widespread tree damage across the county.

2 north of Anthony, Kansas - 70 mph winds.
Anthony, Kansas - 70 mph winds with large limbs down.
Danville, Kansas - 60 mph winds.
Goessel, Kansas - 70 mph winds.
3 NE of Hesston, Kansas - 12 in. Diameter tree down.
Newton, Kansas - 70 mph winds.

Rainfall