Hurricane Erin may bring isolated flash and urban flooding, landslides or mudslides, and possible tropical storm conditions to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands this weekend. Scattered thunderstorms and heavy rainfall may bring areas of flooding this weekend over the Upper Midwest. A tropical disturbance will bring locally heavy rain and mainly urban flash flooding to far southern Texas. 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 |
Tornadoes:
Tornado - SW of Reserve
Track Map ![]() ![]() Downloadable KMZ File |
Tornado - N of Holton
Track Map ![]() ![]() Downloadable KMZ File |
Tornado - E of Netawaka
Track Map ![]() ![]() Downloadable KMZ File |
Tornado - N of Whiting
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 |
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Photos & Video
A Few of the Photos Received
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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 |
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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
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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 |
Environment
Storm Prediction Center Outlooks - 1630z
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Categorical Outlook |
Tornado Outlook |
Hail Outlook |
Wind Outlook |
Topeka Soundings
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12z (7 AM) Sounding |
19z (2 PM) Sounding |
0z (7 PM) Sounding |
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