Severe Thunderstorms and Excessive Rainfall in the Central U.S.; Heat Building in the Western U.S.

A cold front pressing east across the central U.S. will be the focus for areas of strong to severe thunderstorms and excessive rainfall through this weekend. Strong to severe thunderstorms my bring damaging winds, hail, and a few tornadoes while excessive rainfall may lead to areas of flooding. Heat will build across the western U.S. with heat-related watches, warnings, and advisories issued. Read More >

Overview

An early morning supercell produced two EF-1 tornadoes across Osage and Shawnee Counties. These tornadoes were rare for the time of the day. Since 1950 in the Topeka forecast area, only four other tornadoes had developed between the hours of 5 AM and 9 AM (CDT), and zero between the hours of 5:30 and 7:30 AM.

Tornado
Radar
Environment

Tornadoes:

Tornado - Lyndon
Osage County

Date	April 16, 2024
Time (CDT)	5:51 AM
EF Rating	EF-1
Est. Peak Winds	110 mph
Path Length	3.6 miles
Max Width	100 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: An EF-1 tornado touched down at 5:51 AM about a mile north of the Eisenhower State Park at Melvern Lake and moved north, lifting a couple miles west of Lyndon. The tornado was on the ground for around three and a half miles causing damage mainly to trees. One home was hit by the tornado causing it to shift on its foundation, allowing light to be seen between the floor and the wall.

Track Map

Downloadable KMZ File

Tornado - Overbrook/Richland
Osage/Shawnee Counties

Date	April 16, 2024
Time (CDT)	6:06 AM
EF Rating	EF-1
Est. Peak Winds	100 mph
Path Length	13 miles
Max Width	75 yards
Injuries/Deaths	2/0
Summary: A tornado developed approximately 6 miles west-southwest of Overbrook around 6:06 AM and moved north-northeast approximately 13 miles, hitting the town of Richland in far southeast Shawnee County. The tornado was on the ground for around 20 minutes and damaged several structures. Two individuals were injured by the tornado when the RV they were in was flipped and destroyed.

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

Radar


Radar at 5:53 AM as the first tornado was near peak strength southwest of Lyndon.	Radar at 6:09 AM, shortly after the second tornado developed southwest of Overbrook.	Radar at 6:21 AM as the tornado was near peak strength between Overbrook and Richland.

Environment

Synoptic pattern.


500 mb pattern at 12z (7AM).	850 mb pattern at 12z (7AM).	Surface pattern at 12z (7AM).	Topeka sounding at 7 PM on 3/15. (7 AM sounding cancelled due to lightning.)