April 27th, 2016 Tornadoes

Overview

A large upper-level storm system moved across eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa during the afternoon of April 27th. As this occurred, a cold front slowly moved through the region, as a warm front lifted into southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Although surface temperatures only warmed into the upper 50s and mid 60s, very cold temperatures above the surface created instability across the region. Thunderstorms developed by mid-afternoon along the two fronts and isolated to scattered reports of severe weather were received, mainly in the form of large hail and damaging winds. Tornadic thunderstorms occurred both in the Omaha metro and in southwest Iowa (near Stanton). Though weak, the tornadoes in Omaha garnered a lot of attention since they moved through a major populated area during a busy time of day. Of the four tornadoes reported to the National Weather Service, the most significant damage was EF-1 which occurred in both Omaha and near Stanton.

Radar animation from April 27th, 2016

EF-1 Damage in Omaha
(source: NWS Storm Survey)

Screenshot from Spring Weather Productions

Full Video

EF-1 Damage near Stanton,IA
(source: NWS Storm Survey)

Tornado
Storm Reports

Tornadoes:

Tornado #1 - Omaha (near Boys Town)
Douglas County

Date	April 27, 2016
Time (Local)	3:43 pm - 3:47 pm
EF Rating	EF-1
Est. Peak Winds	86 to 110 mph
Path Length	0.67 miles
Max Width	50 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0
Summary: Minor damage occurred near 132nd and Blondo when a tree was knocked over onto a wood fence.

Track Map

Downloadable KML File


EF-1 Damage in Omaha (source: NWS Storm Survey)	Radar image of the tornado near Boys Town	Radar animation of Tornado #1

Tornado #2 - (near 144th and Fort St.)
Douglas County

Date	April 27, 2016
Time (Local)	3:52pm
EF Rating	EF-0
Est. Peak Winds	65 to 85 mph
Path Length	0 miles
Max Width	0 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0
Summary: Only a brief touchdown was observed.

Track Map

Downloadable KML File

Tornado #3- Omaha (Waterford Estates)
Douglas County

Date	April 27, 2016
Time (Local)	3:54pm
EF Rating	EF-0
Est. Peak Winds	65 to 85 mph
Path Length	0 miles
Max Width	0 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0
Summary: Only a brief touchdown was observed.

Track Map

Downloadable KML File

Tornado #4 - Stanton, Iowa
Montgomery County

Date	April 27, 2016
Time (Local)	3:14-3:19pm
EF Rating	EF-1
Est. Peak Winds	85 to 90 mph
Path Length	1.74 miles
Max Width	25 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0
Summary: Several outbuildings were damaged as this tornado tracked to the west and north of Viking Lake State Park.

Track Map

Downloadable KML File


EF-1 Damage near Stanton,IA (source: NWS Storm Survey)	EF-0 Damage near Stanton,IA (source: NWS Storm Survey)	Radar image of the tornado near Stanton, Iowa

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

Storm Reports

Date/Time (CDT)	County	State	City	Type	Magnitude	Remark
4/27/2016 2:39 PM	Douglas	Nebraska	1 NW Valley	Hail	1.25 inches
4/27/2016 2:39 PM	Page	Iowa	2 NE Hepburn	Tornado	N/A	Brief touchdown. No damage.
4/27/2016 2:44 PM	Douglas	Nebraska	Valley	Hail	1.25 inches
4/27/2016 2:47 PM	Douglas	Nebraska	2 NW Valley	Hail	1 inch
4/27/2016 2:48 PM	Douglas	Nebraska	3 NNW Valley	Hail	1.75 inches	Delayed report.
4/27/2016 3:06 PM	Cass	Nebraska	Plattsmouth	Wind	60 mph
4/27/2016 3:11 PM	Cass	Nebraska	Plattsmouth	Hail	1 inch
4/27/2016 3:14 PM	Montgomery	Iowa	4 E Stanton	Tornado	N/A	Fire chief observed tornado. Damage reported.
4/27/2016 3:15 PM	Douglas	Nebraska	3 N Valley	Hail	1.5 inches
4/27/2016 3:17 PM	Montgomery	Iowa	3 ENE Stanton	Tornado	N/A	Tornado on the ground with debris.
4/27/2016 3:25 PM	Montgomery	Iowa	5 N Stanton	Hail	1 inch	Hail up to quarter size.
4/27/2016 3:35 PM	Washington	Nebraska	1 S Arlington	Hail	1.5 inch
4/27/2016 3:43 PM	Douglas	Nebraska	1 NE Boys Town	Tornado	N/A	Tornado near 132nd street between Dodge and Blondo.
4/27/2016 3:45 PM	Sarpy	Nebraska	Bellevue	Wind	60 mph
4/27/2016 3:50 PM	Page	Iowa	Essex	Hail	1 inch
4/27/2016 3:59 PM	Sarpy	Nebraska	2 W Offutt AFB	Wind	60 mph	Small tree limbs down less than 2 in diameter.

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