Critical Fire Weather Persists in the Southern Plains; Severe Weather and Heavy Rain Expected Over the Weekend

High winds and very dry conditions will continue to produce elevated to critical fire weather conditions over portions of New Mexico and far western Texas through Saturday. Heavy snow will continue in the Central Rockies Heavy rain, flooding, and severe thunderstorm risks increase from the Southern Plains into the Lower Missouri Valley this weekend. Read More >

Overview

On the evening of May 12, 2023, a series of small supercell thunderstorms developed over parts of northeast Kansas and produced several brief tornadoes across Brown and Jackson counties. Isolated damage was reported, and the more significant damage was done to a homestead southwest of Reserve, KS.

A tornado north of Hamlin, KS. Image Courtesy of Wayne Sclesky

Tornado
Photos & Video
Radar
Environment

Tornadoes:

Tornado - SW of Reserve
BROWN COUNTY

Date	May 12, 2023
Time (CDT)	7:03 PM - 7:06 PM
EF Rating	EF-2
Est. Peak Winds	112 mph
Path Length	1.2 miles
Max Width	100 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: A tornado touched down north of Hamlin and moves north-northeast producing some tree damage and overturning a center pivot before hitting a homestead. Outbuildings were completely destroyed with winds estimated to be 112 mph. The home sustained damage to the siding and roof with the windows broken out. The tornado dissipated after hitting the homestead.

Track Map

Downloadable KMZ File

Tornado - N of Holton
JACKSON COUNTY

Date	May 12, 2023
Time (Local)	7:11 PM - 7:20 PM
EF Rating	EF-1
Est. Peak Winds	90 mph
Path Length	3.5 miles
Max Width	50 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: A tornado touched down just north of Holton damaging a well constructed barn. Large portions of the roof were blown off and some of the walls were blown out from winds estimated to be up to 90 mph. The tornado skipped northeast across the county side and produced some tree damage as it moved towards Straight Creek.

Track Map

Downloadable KMZ File

Tornado - E of Netawaka
JACKSON COUNTY

Date	May 12, 2023
Time (CDT)	7:38 PM
EF Rating	EF-Unknown
Est. Peak Winds	N/A
Path Length	0.1 miles
Max Width	10 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: A brief tornado was observed between Netawaka and Whiting around 7:38 PM. While photo evidence exists of the tornado kicking up dirt beneath its funnel, no damage was observed due to the brief and rural location. Exact location estimated based on photo and radar evidence.

Track Map

Downloadable KMZ File

Tornado - N of Whiting
JACKSON COUNTY

Date	May 12, 2023
Time (CDT)	7:49 PM
EF Rating	EF-Unknown
Est. Peak Winds	N/A
Path Length	0.1 miles
Max Width	10 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: A brief tornado that formed for around 30 seconds, in an inaccessible area near the Delaware River north of Whiting. Photo evidence exists from several observers of this tornado, but no damage was found do the brief and rural nature of this tornado. Exact location estimated based on photo and radar evidence.

Track Map

Downloadable KMZ File

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

Photos & Video

A Few of the Photos Received

Tornado 1 north of Hamlin

Courtesy Dillon Killoren

Tornado 1 north of Hamlin

Courtesy Alex Pickman

The Holton tornado as it was southeast of Netawaka.

Courtesy James Oestmann

Holton tornado roping out near Netawaka.

Tornado east of Netawaka kicking up dust at the surface.

Final tornado just north of Whiting.

Courtesy Joseph Irwin

Radar

Radar Images from the Evening of May 12, 2023


Reflectivity and Storm Relative Velocity at 7:04PM Showing a Circulation southwest of Reserve, KS	Reflectivity and Storm Relative Velocity at 7:18PM Showing Possibly Two Circulations North-Northeast of Holton, KS	Reflectivity and Storm Relative Velocity at 7:41PM Showing a Circulation North of Whiting, KS