May12th 2010 severe storms

Second Round of Severe Storms in Three Days

Cause Damage in Central and Southeast KS

May 12-13, 2010

A strong low pressure system tracked through eastern Kansas on Wednesday, May 12th. a warm front moved north into Kansas, while a dryline and cold front stretched southward from the low through western Oklahoma. As warm, moist air increased ahead of the dryline and south of the warm front, supercell thunderstorms rapidly developed along the cold front across central and south central Kansas. Eventually three distinct supercells developed with two of these spawning tornadoes. Later in the evening these supercell's weakened, but severe thunderstorms were continuous. These storms occasionally produce large hail and damaging winds.

There were several reports of golf ball size hail with a few larger hail reports. There were also some reports of tornadoes through the afternoon and early evening. The largest hail reported to the National Weather Service was baseball size near Cedar Vale at 1:30am, and 65 mph winds were reported within a few miles as well.

Mesoscale Discussion Image, Issued at 221 PM	Mesoscale Discussion Image, Issued at 659 PM

For a loop of radar from 3pm to 8:30pm, click here

For a loop of radar from 9pm to 2:30am, click here

Reno, McPherson County Supercell

A line of thunderstorms rapidly developed along the cold front around 3pm. The first storm that developed in western Reno county quickly became a supercell. This supercell had numerous reports of a wall cloud and a funnel cloud. A very brief tornado touched down near Hutchinson, Kansas about a quarter of a mile east of Airport road on 4th street. This supercell began to cycle again, as it moved northeastward into McPherson county. Another tornado touched down east of Inman, Kansas in McPherson county. These tornadoes were relatively brief and fortunately touched down in open fields and caused little to no damage.

Pictures

Kingman, Reno County Supercell

Another storm developed along the cold front south of the storm that initially developed in Reno County. This storm began in southwestern Kingman county and tracked northeastward across Kingman and southeastern Reno county before weakening over northwestern Sedgwick and Harvey counties. This supercell had a persistent wall cloud, and a very brief tornado touched down east of Cheney Lake State Park, north of St. Joe.

Pictures

Picture taken by Jerry Funfsinn, north of St. Joe Kansas.

Butler County Microburst

Later in the evening a severe thunderstorm moved northeastward over Cowley counties, making its way into Butler county. A bow echo developed, causing a microburst as the thunderstorm approached El Dorado. The microburst hit along the El Dorado exit of the Turnpike on I-35. This caused some damage to power lines and then semi trucks hit these power lines, causing them to crash along the road.

Accident along the Kansas Turnpike which was initiated by power lines being blown across the Turnpike due to severe winds. Picture provided by Butler County Emergency Management.

Wind damage in Butler County along SW 20th approx 2 miles west of Haverhill RD. Picture provided by Butler County Emergency Management.

Picture taken near El Dorado Lake by Dan McCoy and courtesy Butler County Emergency Management.

Summary of Most Significant Severe Reports

Tornadoes:

6 E Inman, McPherson County (3:52pm)
5 S Haven, Reno County (4:18pm)
W Towanda, Butler County (8:11pm)

Large Hail:

2.75", 4 NE Cedar Vale, Chautauqua County
1.75", Kingman, Kingman County
1.75", 4NNE Kingman, Kingman County
1.75", 3 S Pretty Prairie, Reno County
1.75", 3 SE McPherson, McPherson County
1.75", 4 SW Burrton, Reno County
1.75", 2 SE Arkansas City, Cowley County
1.75", Arkansas City, Cowley County
1.75", Maple City, Cowley County
1.75", 5 W Fredonia, Wilson County

Damaging Winds:

80 mph, 5 E Norwich, Sumner County
81.2 mph, 5 S Goddard, Sedgwick County
65 mph, Cedar Vale, Chautauqua County
Wind Damage Reported 2 W El Dorado, Butler County: 3 Semis were overturned with power lines down over the top of them. Two injuries were reported.

All Storm Reports Received Through 220AM Thursday

NWUS53 KICT 130841 
LSRICT 
 
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS 
340 AM CDT THU MAY 13 2010 
 
..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON... 
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE.... 
            ..REMARKS.. 
 
0310 PM     HAIL             8 W KINGMAN             37.65N 98.26W  
05/12/2010  E1.00 INCH       KINGMAN            KS   BROADCAST MEDIA  
 
0317 PM     HAIL             KINGMAN                 37.65N 98.11W  
05/12/2010  E0.88 INCH       KINGMAN            KS   AMATEUR RADIO    
 
            NICKEL HAIL AT SOUTH SIDE OF HAIL. 
 
0323 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     E HUTCHINSON AIRPORT    38.07N 97.87W  
05/12/2010                   RENO               KS   EMERGENCY MNGR   
 
            FUNNEL CLOUD 1 WEST OF AIRPORT. 
 
0326 PM     HAIL             ZENDA                   37.44N 98.28W  
05/12/2010  E0.88 INCH       KINGMAN            KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT  
 
0330 PM     HAIL             KINGMAN                 37.65N 98.11W  
05/12/2010  E1.75 INCH       KINGMAN            KS   TRAINED SPOTTER  
 
0334 PM     HAIL             5 SW INMAN              38.18N 97.84W  
05/12/2010  E1.00 INCH       MCPHERSON          KS   CO-OP OBSERVER   
 
0335 PM     HAIL             4 NNE KINGMAN           37.70N 98.09W  
05/12/2010  E1.75 INCH       KINGMAN            KS   TRAINED SPOTTER  
 
0337 PM     HAIL             KINGMAN                 37.65N 98.11W  
05/12/2010  E1.75 INCH       KINGMAN            KS   TRAINED SPOTTER  
 
0340 PM     HAIL             3 S PRETTY PRAIRIE      37.74N 98.02W  
05/12/2010  E1.75 INCH       RENO               KS   EMERGENCY MNGR   
 
0352 PM     TORNADO          6 E INMAN               38.23N 97.66W  
05/12/2010                   MCPHERSON          KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT  
 
            TORNADO ON GROUND. 
 
0354 PM     HAIL             W MCPHERSON             38.37N 97.66W  
05/12/2010  M1.25 INCH       MCPHERSON          KS   TRAINED SPOTTER  
 
            TRAINED SPOTTER MEASURED 1.25 INCH HAIL ON WESTERN EDGE  
            OF MCPHERSON. 
 
0358 PM     HAIL             3 SE MCPHERSON          38.34N 97.62W  
05/12/2010  E1.75 INCH       MCPHERSON          KS   AMATEUR RADIO    
 
0410 PM     HAIL             10 S HUTCHINSON         37.92N 97.91W  
05/12/2010  E1.00 INCH       RENO               KS   EMERGENCY MNGR   
 
            EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTED 1 INCH HAIL FALLING 10 MILES  
            SOUTH OF HUTCHINSON. 
 
0418 PM     TORNADO          5 S HAVEN               37.83N 97.78W  
05/12/2010                   RENO               KS   EMERGENCY MNGR   
 
            TORNADO REPORTED ON THE GROUND BY EMERGENCY MANAGER. 
 
0424 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     2 NNE CANTON            38.41N 97.42W  
05/12/2010                   MCPHERSON          KS   PUBLIC           
 
            FUNNEL CLOUD REPORTED 2 NNE OF CANTON. 
 
0437 PM     HAIL             4 SW BURRTON            37.98N 97.72W  
05/12/2010  E1.75 INCH       RENO               KS   EMERGENCY MNGR   
 
            EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTED 1.75 INCH HAIL. 
 
0447 PM     HAIL             1 W HALSTEAD            38.00N 97.53W  
05/12/2010  E0.88 INCH       HARVEY             KS   EMERGENCY MNGR   
 
            EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTS NICKEL HAIL. 
 
0451 PM     HAIL             2 ESE SPIVEY            37.43N 98.14W  
05/12/2010  E0.88 INCH       KINGMAN            KS   TRAINED SPOTTER  
 
            TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTS NICKEL HAIL. 
 
0451 PM     HAIL             2 WSW ATTICA            37.24N 98.26W  
05/12/2010  E1.00 INCH       HARPER             KS   TRAINED SPOTTER  
 
            TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTS 1 INCH HAIL.  
 
0454 PM     HAIL             ATTICA                  37.24N 98.23W  
05/12/2010  E1.00 INCH       HARPER             KS   EMERGENCY MNGR   
 
            EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTS 1 INCH HAIL. 
 
0508 PM     HAIL             2 ESE SPIVEY            37.43N 98.14W  
05/12/2010  E0.88 INCH       KINGMAN            KS   TRAINED SPOTTER  
 
            TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTS PEA TO NICKEL SIZE HAIL FALLING.  
 
 
0510 PM     HAIL             SPIVEY                  37.45N 98.17W  
05/12/2010  E1.00 INCH       KINGMAN            KS   PUBLIC           
 
            PUBLIC REPORTS VIA LAW ENFORCEMENT 1 INCH HAIL IN SPIVEY  
            THAT FELL FOR A MINUTE. 
 
0510 PM     HAIL             2 N MOUNT HOPE          37.90N 97.66W  
05/12/2010  M1.00 INCH       SEDGWICK           KS   PUBLIC           
 
            PUBLIC REPORTS 1 INCH HAIL AT 2 N AND 3 E OF MOUNT HOPE. 
 
0515 PM     TSTM WND GST     5 E NORWICH             37.46N 97.75W  
05/12/2010  E70.00 MPH       SUMNER             KS   TRAINED SPOTTER  
 
            TRAINED SPOTTER ESTIMATES WIND GUSTS OF 70 MPH NEAR  
            NORWICH. 
 
0517 PM     TSTM WND GST     5 E NORWICH             37.46N 97.75W  
05/12/2010  M80.00 MPH       SUMNER             KS   AMATEUR RADIO    
 
            AMATEUR RADIO MEASURED THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS OF 80 MPH. 
 
 
0522 PM     HEAVY RAIN       HESSTON                 38.14N 97.43W  
05/12/2010  M1.00 INCH       HARVEY             KS   EMERGENCY MNGR   
 
            EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTS RAINFALL RATES OF AN INCH AN  
            HOUR IN HESSTON. 
 
0522 PM     HAIL             SW HESSTON              38.14N 97.43W  
05/12/2010  E1.00 INCH       HARVEY             KS   EMERGENCY MNGR   
 
            EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTS 1 INCH HAIL NEAR HESSTON. 
 
0535 PM     TSTM WND GST     5 S GODDARD             37.59N 97.58W  
05/12/2010  M81.20 MPH       SEDGWICK           KS   PUBLIC           
 
            PUBLIC MEASURES THUNDERSTORM WINDS AT 81.2 MPH THAT IS 5  
            SOUTH AND 1.5 MILES WEST OF GODDARD.  
 
0547 PM     TSTM WND GST     WEST WICHITA            37.69N 97.46W  
05/12/2010  E60.00 MPH       SEDGWICK           KS   AMATEUR RADIO    
 
            AMATEUR RADIO REPORTS WIND GUSTS OF 60 MPH AT KELLOG AND  
            MAIZE ROAD.  
 
0550 PM     HAIL             HILLSBORO               38.35N 97.20W  
05/12/2010  E1.00 INCH       MARION             KS   TRAINED SPOTTER  
 
            TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTS 1 INCH HAIL IN HILLSBORO.  
 
0600 PM     TSTM WND GST     ESE MARION              38.35N 97.01W  
05/12/2010  E60.00 MPH       MARION             KS   TRAINED SPOTTER  
 
            TRAINED SPOTTER ESTIMATES THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS OF 60  
            MPH IN MARION.  
 
0601 PM     FLOOD            3 S RAGO                37.41N 98.08W  
05/12/2010                   KINGMAN            KS   TRAINED SPOTTER  
 
            TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTS POOLING WATER ON LOW SPOTS OF THE 
            HIGHWAY. 
 
0607 PM     HAIL             NE NEWTON               38.04N 97.34W  
05/12/2010  E0.75 INCH       HARVEY             KS   PUBLIC           
 
            PUBLIC REPORTS 0.75 INCH HAIL VIA ESPOTTER ON NE PART OF  
            NEWTON.  
 
0613 PM     HAIL             5 NW WHITEWATER         38.02N 97.21W  
05/12/2010  M0.75 INCH       HARVEY             KS   TRAINED SPOTTER  
 
0636 PM     HAIL             FLORENCE                38.24N 96.93W  
05/12/2010  E0.88 INCH       MARION             KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT  
 
0638 PM     HAIL             FLORENCE                38.24N 96.93W  
05/12/2010  E1.00 INCH       MARION             KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT  
 
            LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTS 1 INCH HAIL IN FLORENCE.  
 
0650 PM     HAIL             8 SW CONWAY SPRINGS     37.31N 97.75W  
05/12/2010  E0.75 INCH       SUMNER             KS   AMATEUR RADIO    
 
0739 PM     HAIL             MID CONTINENT AIRPORT   37.66N 97.44W  
05/12/2010  M1.00 INCH       SEDGWICK           KS   OFFICIAL NWS OBS 
 
            NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE REPORTS 1 INCH HAIL AND  
            STRONG WINDS OF AROUND 60 TO 65 MPH. 
 
0744 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 W EL DORADO           37.82N 96.89W  
05/12/2010                   BUTLER             KS   EMERGENCY MNGR   
 
            EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTS 3 SEMIS OVERTURNED WITH POWER  
            LINES DOWN OVER THE TOP OF THEM. THERE ARE 2 INJURIES  
            REPORTED AT THIS TIME.  
 
0745 PM     HAIL             WEST WICHITA            37.69N 97.46W  
05/12/2010  M1.00 INCH       SEDGWICK           KS   BROADCAST MEDIA  
 
            KAKE MEDIA REPORTS NICKEL TO QUARTER HAIL AT 13TH AND  
            WEST.  
 
0745 PM     HAIL             WEST WICHITA            37.69N 97.46W  
05/12/2010  M0.88 INCH       SEDGWICK           KS   NWS EMPLOYEE     
 
            NWS EMPLOYEE REPORTS NICKEL HAIL AT HER HOME.  
 
0750 PM     HEAVY RAIN       WEST WICHITA            37.69N 97.46W  
05/12/2010  M0.84 INCH       SEDGWICK           KS   NWS EMPLOYEE     
 
            NWS EMPLOYEE REPORTS 0.84 INCHES OF RAIN IN 30 MINUTES  
            WITH BRIEF HAIL SLIGHTLY LARGER THAN 0.25 INCHES BUT LESS 
            THAN 0.5 INCHES AT 119TH AND CENTRAL. 
 
0750 PM     HAIL             WEST WICHITA            37.69N 97.46W  
05/12/2010  E1.25 INCH       SEDGWICK           KS   PUBLIC           
 
            PUBLIC VIA KAKE MEDIA REPORTS 1.25 INCH HAIL AT 235 AND  
            K42.  
 
0810 PM     FLOOD            WEST WICHITA            37.69N 97.46W  
05/12/2010                   SEDGWICK           KS   NWS EMPLOYEE     
 
            STREET FLOODING ON 13TH STREET AND .5 MILES EAST OF WEST  
            STREET. 
 
0811 PM     TORNADO          W TOWANDA               37.80N 97.00W  
05/12/2010                   BUTLER             KS   EMERGENCY MNGR   
 
            MULTIPLE REPORTS OF A TORNADO ON THE GROUND BY LAW  
            ENFORCEMENT...TRAINED SPOTTER...AND PUBLIC. 
 
0835 PM     HAIL             BURNS                   38.09N 96.89W  
05/12/2010  E1.00 INCH       MARION             KS   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE 
 
            BURNS FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS 1 INCH HAIL. 
 
0835 PM     HAIL             DOWNTOWN WICHITA        37.69N 97.34W  
05/12/2010  M0.88 INCH       SEDGWICK           KS   BROADCAST MEDIA  
 
            KSN WEATHER LAB REPORTS NICKEL SIZED HAIL AT THEIR  
            STUDIO.  
 
1255 AM     HAIL             3 S ARKANSAS CITY       37.03N 97.04W  
05/13/2010  E1.00 INCH       COWLEY             KS   TRAINED SPOTTER  
 
            TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTS 1 INCH HAIL. 
 
0100 AM     HAIL             2 SE ARKANSAS CITY      37.05N 97.01W  
05/13/2010  E1.75 INCH       COWLEY             KS   EMERGENCY MNGR   
 
            EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTS 1.75 INCH HAIL AT THE  
            WASTEWATER PLANT. 
 
0100 AM     HAIL             ARKANSAS CITY           37.07N 97.04W  
05/13/2010  E1.75 INCH       COWLEY             KS   TRAINED SPOTTER  
 
            TRAINED SPOTTER ALSO ESTIMATED THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS UP 
            TO 60MPH.  
 
0100 AM     FLOOD            DOUGLASS                37.52N 97.01W  
05/13/2010                   BUTLER             KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT  
 
            SOUTH MAPLE STREET IN DOUGLASS WAS REPORTED TO HAVE  
            FLOODING BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. 
 
0101 AM     HAIL             ARKANSAS CITY           37.07N 97.04W  
05/13/2010  E1.75 INCH       COWLEY             KS   BROADCAST MEDIA  
 
            KSOK RADIO REPORTS GOLFBALL HAIL AT 334 E RADIO LANE IN  
            ARKANSAS CITY.  
 
0107 AM     HAIL             MAPLE CITY              37.05N 96.78W  
05/13/2010  E1.75 INCH       COWLEY             KS   PUBLIC           
 
            PUBLIC VIA KSOK RADIO REPORTS 1.75 INCH HAIL IN MAPLE  
            CITY. 
 
0109 AM     HAIL             4 WNW MAPLE CITY        37.08N 96.85W  
05/13/2010  E1.00 INCH       COWLEY             KS   TRAINED SPOTTER  
 
            TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTS 1 INCH WITH WINDS ESTIMATED NEAR  
            60 MPH. 
 
0122 AM     TSTM WND GST     CEDAR VALE              37.11N 96.50W  
05/13/2010  M65.00 MPH       CHAUTAUQUA         KS   EMERGENCY MNGR   
 
            EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTS WIND GUSTS OF 65 MPH WITH POWER 
            FLASHES FROM POWERLINES GOING DOWN.  
 
0125 AM     HAIL             CEDAR VALE              37.11N 96.50W  
05/13/2010  M1.75 INCH       CHAUTAUQUA         KS   EMERGENCY MNGR   
 
            EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTS GOLFBALL HAIL IN CEDAR VALE.  
 
0132 AM     HAIL             4 NE CEDAR VALE         37.15N 96.45W  
05/13/2010  E2.75 INCH       CHAUTAUQUA         KS   EMERGENCY MNGR   
 
            EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTS 2.75 INCH HAIL. 
 
0209 AM     HAIL             5 W FREDONIA            37.53N 95.92W  
05/13/2010  E1.75 INCH       WILSON             KS   PUBLIC           
 
            PUBLIC REPORTS LITTLE BIGGER THAN 1.75 INCH HAIL AT 5  
            MILES WEST OF FREDONIA.  
 
0220 AM     FLOOD            E STRONG CITY           38.40N 96.54W  
05/13/2010                   CHASE              KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT  
 
            LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTS SURFACE FLOODING IN LOW LYING  
            AREAS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.  
 
 
&& 
 
$$