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Overview

During the afternoon to evening hours on 8 May 2016, widespread strong to severe thunderstorms developed ahead of a dryline situated across western into central KS. Numerous reports of large hail (with some exceeding 2-inches) along with a few tornadoes occurred from mid afternoon to the early overnight hours. Some EF-2 damage occurred north of Hays in Ellis county.

Radar/Photo

Panoramic of supercell storm (Photo courtesy of Grady Dixon)

 

Tornadoes:

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Tornado #1 - Catharine to Codell Tornado
Ellis County

Date 05/08/2016
Time (Local) 708 PM CDT
EF Rating EF-2
Est. Peak Winds 125 mph
Path Length 6.55 miles
Max Width 440 yards
Injuries/Deaths 0/0

Summary:

Cyclic tornadic supercell produced a significant tornado starting 8 miles north of Catharine and stayed on the ground several miles until it entered Rooks County.  Peak intensity was estimated at EF-2 intensity.

Radar/Photo Radar/Photo Radar/Photo Radar/Photo
Shed destroyed in northern Ellis county.
(courtesy Derrick Unrein)
Power lines downed in northern Ellis county
(courtesy Derrick Unrein)
Radar imagery from approximate time of tornado north of Hays (~ 720 pm CDT). 14 miles northeast of Hays 7:21 pm
(courtesy Grady Dixon)

Tornado #2 Ellis
Ellis County

Date 05/08/2016
Time (Local) 700 PM CDT
EF Rating EF-0
Est. Peak Winds 80 mph
Path Length 0.88 miles
Max Width 50 yards
Injuries/Deaths 0/0

Summary:

A brief weak tornado spun up 5 miles north of Ellis, KS.  It was only on the ground for a few miles.

Radar/Photo Radar/Photo
Rope tornado north of Ellis
(courtesy Derrick Unrein)
Radar imagery from approximate time of tornado north of Ellis (~ 700 pm CDT).

Tornado #3 Cedar Bluff
Ellis County

Date 05/08/2016
Time (Local) 600 PM CDT
EF Rating EF-0
Est. Peak Winds 75 mph
Path Length 1.85 miles
Max Width 25 yards
Injuries/Deaths 0/0

Summary:

A short lived weak tornado spun up on the west end of Cedar Bluff Reservoir.  It was only on the ground for about 2 miles.

Radar/Photo Radar/Photo
Along Highway 283 west of Cedar Bluff Reservoir shortly after 6:00 pm
(courtesy Grady Dixon)
Radar imagery from approximate time of tornado west of Cedar Bluffs Reservoir (~ 6 pm CDT).

 

The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:

EF0
Weak

65-85 mph
EF1
Moderate
86-110 mph
EF2
Significant
111-135 mph
EF3
Severe
136-165 mph
EF4
Extreme
166-200 mph
EF5
Catastrophic
200+ mph
ef-scale

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