The upper air soundings below taken at the NWS office in Springfield show the evolution of the atmosphere between 1 and 7 PM. Stockton tornado (F3) The second major tornado produced by the . Damage was consistent with an upper-end F3 here. The tornado appears to have dissipated about a half mile east of this point just inside the Lead Mine Conservation area. Throughout this period, no cold fronts propagated south from Canada; the lack of these allowed the atmosphere to continually destabilize and fuel further thunderstorms. [259] The same storms persisted into southern Maryland, downing trees in the La Plata area and St. Mary's County. Weather maps of the continental U.S. at 12:00UTC (7:00a.m. CDT) on May10, Winds and height of the 500mb (hPa; 14.77inHg), Damages wrought by the tornado in Gladstone, Missouri, Radar shot of the Moore/Oklahoma City supercell at its peak intensity in southeastern OKC, Storm Prediction Center (SPC) local storm reports received between May311, 2003, A significant tornado is one that is rated F2or higher on the. [35][19] A new area of accelerated winds in the upper levels of the troposphereknown as a jet streaktriggered the formation of storms east of the DallasFort Worth metropolitan area and along the cold front over eastern Oklahoma by around 04:00UTC (11:00p.m. SPC Day 1 Convective outlooks for May3, 2003: SPC tornado watches with expiry times during the early morning of May5: United States House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, National Weather Service St. Louis, Missouri, National Weather Service Nashville, Tennessee, List of tornadoes in the May 2003 tornado outbreak sequence, National Weather Service Paducah, Kentucky, List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks, List of Cleveland County, Oklahoma tornadoes, "Convective Modes for Significant Severe Thunderstorms in the Contiguous United States. We intercepted the F3 tornado that went near Baxter Springs, Kansas (Cherokee County) and into SW Missouri. [236] Despite extensive damage along the path, no fatalities were caused by the tornado, although dozens of injuries were reported across Cleveland and Oklahoma Counties. [111][112][113][114] Another belt of storms, presenting primarily a threat of large hail, were concurrently active to the north between south-central Nebraska to northwestern Arkansas, supported by strong warm air and moisture advection;[115] these storms also weakened as the influx of warm and moist air diminished. [145] Additional thunderstorms developed across eastern West Virginia and northern Virginia over the next hour, prompting the issuance of a tornado watch for the region. Weather Ready Nation Ambassadors The storms were supported by an unstable air mass with dew points above 70F (21C) as they tracked east at 4045kt (4550mph, 7585km/h),[202] producing strong winds and tornadoes. Its front wall? These factors were forecast to provide a conducive environment for severe weather across much of the U.S.; the SPC would delineate moderate risks[note 2] for severe weather in parts of the central Great Plains, Red River region, and southeastern U.S. over the course of the day, with a lesser but nonetheless extant expectation of severe weather extending outwards from the focal areas. May 4th, 2003 Tornado Outbreak By andyhb, May 4, 2013 in Central/Western States andyhb Meteorologist 17.9k Location: Norman, OK Posted May 4, 2013 Today is the tenth anniversary of one of the most significant tornado events of the 2000s and the most significant event of the record breaking May, 2003 outbreak sequence. [246][247] Much of Georgia was also impacted earlier by widespread severe weather on May2, with large hail or wind damage reported in most counties beginning in the afternoon hours. [216], Accompanying the record period of tornadic activity was a significant flood event that impacted parts of the Southeastern United States. [192] Though wind shear was high enough to inhibit tornadogenesis, cyclical thunderstorm developments increased the odds of tornadogenesis as the storms tracked east. [276] A wind gust of 104mph (167km/h) was measured at Whiteman Air Force Base,[277] though the site did not sustain any damage. Please select one of the following: Experimental Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook, Natural Hazard Risk Assessment Climatology, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [35][105], The SPC predicted that May8 would be another significant day for severe weather. [35] The diminishing of the capping inversion along the dry line that had prevented storm development earlier in the day led the SPC to issue a tornado watch at 20:00UTC (3:00p.m. CDT) for south-central and southeastern Oklahoma and north-central and northeast Texas. "I've never seen anything like this, in pictures or otherwise," said Rep. Ike Skelton, who toured the city by air Monday. While moving across this deadly and destructive path, the tornado severely damaged numerous modular and wood framed homes, barns and outbuildings. However, several large trees right next the house and in back were uprooted or snapped off indicating the power of the tornado. Now they're just splinters. STOCKTON, KS - Several supercells developed from Texas to Nebraska on Thursday, June 9, producing numerous tornadoes across several states. [160] One supercell quickly developed along the dry line in Greer County and was marked with a severe thunderstorm warning at 23:32UTC (6:32p.m. CDT) as it tracked northeast. One thing's for sure _ a lot of people won't ever forget this. Three schools and a golf course were heavily damaged on the south side of Burlington, Iowa;[285] classes were cancelled at those schools following rainwater intrusion via holes created by hail. ``Its like: where do you start, what do you do?. [218][219] North of Route92, major damage to two barns and nearby damage to trees and fences was assessed by survey crews to have been caused by downburst winds from the parent thunderstorm. STOCKTON, Calif. (KION-TV)-- Tornado warnings have been issued for multiple areas east of Stockton. Risk Level: Very High Yearly Avg. CDT). The southern storm appeared to have dissipated near County Road U. [9] The first severe watch on May3 was a severe thunderstorm watch issued for parts of the Gulf Coast at 14:14UTC (9:14a.m. CDT) in connection with a mesoscale convective system that had been tracking southeast over eastern Mississippi and western Alabama during the morning. Contact Info. Highs around 60. All risks imply that well-organized severe thunderstorms are anticipated. But by Tuesday, Stockton was declaring small victories. West winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts to around 25 mph. [34][35] A line of thunderstorms developed over northeastern Kansas after 19:30UTC (2:30p.m. CDT) and lataer produced nine tornadoes in northeastern Kansas and northwestern Kansas. CDT in Clay County, Missouri. (AP) _ After the Civil War left this southwest Missouri town in tatters, residents rebuilt the town square with brick and stone, thinking it would stand the test of time. [36] One supercell developed over northeastern Oklahoma and moved into southwestern Missouri, producing an F3tornado that struck Pierce City, Missouri. [3], Northern parts of the Kansas City metropolitan area suffered heavy damage from tornadoes on May4 in what was considered the most significant outbreak for the region since 1977. [116], By 16:30UTC (12:30p.m. CDT), temperatures within the areas under the SPC's Moderate and High risk regions over the central Great Plains, central Mississippi Valley, and lower Ohio Valley warmed above 80F (27C) with dew points above 70F (21C). "It. [280] The following day, severe storms in the St. Louis area disrupted power to 10,000electricity customers and caused flashed flooding in the region. At this point the tornado was rated as an F-0 topping trees and breaking limbs. [167] This weather pattern would lead to the low-pressure system and its associated frontal boundaries moving through an unstable air mass exhibiting wind shear as high as 91kt (105mph, 169km/h), leading to a potentially significant outbreak of severe weather. [268] Another bout of storms two days later caused flooding in northern Jefferson County, submerging roads and resulting in one death. Most of the severe activity was concentrated between May4 and May10, which saw more tornadoes than any other week-long span in recorded history; 335tornadoes occurred during this period, concentrated in the Ozarks and central Mississippi River Valley. *Tornado risk is calculated from the destruction path that has occured within 30 miles of the . Some have Links to pictures of the cemetery and headstones. Overnight, a front extending from eastern Michigan to eastern Oklahoma and an outflow boundary extending from southeastern Arkansas towards Georgia were the primary foci for thunderstorm growth. The Ingredients for a Major Tornado Outbreak Meteorological conditions came together Sunday May 4th, 2003, to produce the major tornado outbreak across southeast Kansas and the Missouri Ozarks. The following information will provide a brief synopsis of these ingredients that produced the outbreak of destructive and deadly tornadoes. [211] While the storms that produced the two tornadoes exhibited strong rotation, most storms on May11 did not produce any substantial severe weather. [83][84] Another complex of severe thunderstorms ahead of a cold front advanced across the Ark-La-Tex region after 07:00UTC (2:00a.m. CDT) with high wind shear in place;[85] four tornadoes occurred in the region between 511UTC (126a.m. The southern storm also took the roof off an equipment shed. CAPE values of 35004500J/kg were anticipated alongside steep lapse rates aloft and strong wind shear. [19][204] The first tornado was an F3tornado that touched down in McLean County, Kentucky, at around 06:18UTC (1:18a.m. Some said the twister had gone through the town like a giant lawn mower, sheering giant oaks as if they were blades of grass and piling the wreckage of homes and businesses in heaps. [53][54], At around 15:00UTC (10:00a.m. CDT), thunderstorms began to form east-southeast of Dallas, Texas, amid a region with a weak capping inversion. "It's going to take a quite a while to recover from the economic and emotional loss. Rated F2, the tornado caused substantial damage at William Jewell College and at locales near downtown Liberty before lifting around 5:15pm. The storm then continued for approximately three miles crossing County Road T south of Lead Mine. Two frame homes along this road sustained damage to the roof and exterior walls and three mobile homes were completely destroyed. [22][19][23] In terms of the number of tornadoes, May4, 2003, was the second most prolific day for tornadoes in the U.S. since 1970, behind only the 1974 Super Outbreak. [12] By 21:00UTC (4:00p.m. CDT), a line of towering cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds emerged along the dry line east of Lubbock, Texas, resulting in a focused threat area for large hail, strong wind gusts, and isolated tornadoes in southwestern Oklahoma and northwestern Texas. [143][144], By around 17UTC (1p.m. EDT), some of the storms had congealed into a mesoscale convective system and were beginning to take a more southward trajectory into West Virginia and Virginia. 1961-9-3 - F1 Tornado: 7.5 mi. Monthly Climate Summary Winds at 250 mb or ~35,000 ft. were ~ 125 kts, 75 kts at 500 mb or ~18000 ft. [251] On May9, storms in North Carolina near the state border with Virginia produced large hail and strong winds, cutting power to 1,900customers of Progress Energy Inc.[252] Hail as large as 4.25in (108mm) in diameter was documented in Northampton County, damaging vehicles and homes. [131] One strong supercell within an environment supportive of a strong or violent tornado approached the Oklahoma City metropolitan area shortly before 22UTC (5p.m. [215] There, sixteen homes experienced minor damage, with the tornado producing a maximum of F1damage over its 3mi (4.8km)-long and 50yd (46m)-wide track. [19][35] The persistence of warm and moist air with the aid of daytime heating maintained the severe weather potential into the afternoon for the same areas. Two banks were in ruin, as was the post office and much of a newly restored community building where bluegrass bands had played monthly. [141] Severe weather was also forecast for the Mid-Atlantic region and the Ohio Valley. Lake Levels We got a fairly late start chasing that day but we were able to intercept the tornado as it was on the ground. Tornado Path - Cherokee County KS to Carl Junction, Mo. Local Storm Reports, Briefing Pages Path Length: ~45 miles Width: 1/4 to 1/2 mile Time: 645 - 800 p.m. Several populated communities like Monett, Verona, Aurora and Marionville were spared the destructive power of this tornado because it moved just to the north of those towns. [216] The tornado continued towards the northeast, causing F1F3-rated damage before dissipating near Interstate 435;[215] the total damage toll amounted to $31million and 13people were injured. Some said the twister had gone through the town like a giant lawn mower, sheering giant oaks as if they were blades of grass and piling the wreckage of homes and businesses in heaps. Strong winds also indirectly caused the leakage of hydrochloric acid from a plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan after roofing knocked loosed by the wind broke a distribution pipe. ``Its going to take a quite a while to recover from the economic and emotional loss. [131] A total of 21tornadoes touched down in Kansas during the day, of which 5 were significant tornadoes with the strongest rated F3. A confirmed tornado swept through the small town of Hermleigh, TX, on Sunday, May 1, leaving damage in its wake. She filed this report 15 years ago. [17] Tornadoes were reported in Mississippi, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Texas throughout the day; there were 18tornado reports, though only 14tornadoes were confirmed. Precip. [35] At 01:00UTC (8:00p.m. CDT), the SPC indicated a high risk for severe weather for parts of Arkansas, Missouri, and Tennessee as the tornado outbreak remained in progress and tornado-producing supercells persisted into the overnight hours,[38] outlining that "a dangerous tornado situation [was] developing along the warm front" between northeastern Arkansas and western Tennessee and that any developing storms would rapidly assume supercell characteristics. CDT). ``The word devastation doesnt do it justice. Explosive thunderstorm development continued south along the dry line, the remainder of the afternoon as mid level temperatures cooled ahead of the advancing. [129] This supercell eventually produced ten tornadoes in Oklahoma, accounting for all of the state's tornadoes that day; the first of the tornadoes was an F0tornado that touched down at 01:50UTC (7:50p.m. CDT) in Caddo County, while the final twister lifted at 05:31UTC (12:31a.m. CDT) from Creek County the next day. CDT). [190] Isolated thunderstorms and towering cumulus clouds began to rapidly form along a dry line over central Oklahoma by around noon, with the local atmospheric conditions supportive of strong tornadoes. A drug store was reduced to a single wall, with a few bottles clinging to a stubborn set of shelving. ``This is just total devastation, said Mike Conyers of the Missouri Public Utility Alliance, an association of the states municipal electric utilities. [166][195] Two of the tornadoesone in Missouri and the other in Illinoisreceived an F3rating; these were the highest-rated tornadoes of the day. One of the hardest hit communities was Stockton, Mo. Disaster Preparedness [166][167] While the SPC initially indicated a Moderate Risk of severe weather for the day for an area centered on the central Mississippi Valley,[167] a High Risk was later delineated for parts of northeastern Missouri and central Illinois in the agency's 13:00UTC (8:00a.m. CDT) forecast update as the potential for strong tornadoes became increasingly evident. Dramatic scouring of the ground was observed, homes were swept from their foundations, and heavy objects such as vehicles were tossed long distances (over 100 yards (90m)). [230] In the city, 350 structures were demolished while an additional 650 received major damage. Rivers and Lakes A major tornado outbreak hit the area Sunday afternoon and evening of May 4th, 2003. Thirty-five sector scans were obtained over a period of approximately 10 min, capturing the tornado life cycle from just after tornadogenesis to the decay stage. An EF3 tornado devastated the heart of the Cedar County community. This is a home movie made by my mother during and after an F-3 tornado. ``It can be rebuilt, said Hafer. [19], The SPC predicted that the outbreak of severe weather that began on May10 would continue into May11, projecting a High Risk of severe weather over parts of Illinois and Indiana that would continue into the morning hours of May11; additional severe weather was also expected throughout much of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys as the low-pressure system over Iowa intensified. A fairly potent spring storm delivered with . [231], A large tornado touched down in Neosho County, Kansas at 4:32pm on May 4. A negatively-tilted trough was forecast to move northeast across Kansas, prompting cyclogenesis in the region along the leeward side of the Rocky Mountains. Among these tornadoes was an extremely violent EF5 storm that destroyed the towns of Schaumburg , Roselle and Hoffman Estates, IL. Within Moore city-limits, the peak damage caused near the center of the tornado was mostly rated as F2, although a few isolated locations received F3-rated damage; F3 damage in Moore was observed near 12th Street where several businesses, two hotels, an office building, a church, several restaurants, a child center and a Headstart Program building were either severely damaged or destroyed. Event Reviews 3. [142] As the day progressed, a mid-tropospheric jet stream developed across the Great Plains in response to an intensifying low-pressure region over the Great Basin and a strengthening ridge of high pressure extending north into the Great Lakes. [191] Additional supercell thunderstorms quickly emerged over Missouri and eastern Kansas over the next few hours, surrounding by an unstable air mass with CAPE values between 40005000J/kg and high wind shear. BATTLEFIELD, Mo. It took a tornado just a few minutes Sunday night to rip it all apart and devastate this Missouri Ozarks community of about 2,000. [19][161][162] The supercell later dissipated in northeastern Oklahoma. Warm temperatures throughout the eastern U.S. were also forecast to contribute to a Slight Risk of severe weather across parts of the Southeastern U.S. and the Mid-Atlantic states. CDT. [215] Roofs and windows were damaged and business signage were destroyed. One of the hardest hit communities was Stockton, Mo. In Missouri, the twister demolished several farm houses, killing an 88-year-old man. CDT. [26] The SPC expected that both the warm front and the dry line would serve as a focus for storm development as the storm system evolved. "It's unbelievable it could do this much damage," said Fischer, 50. [19], Closer to the main risk region, scattered thunderstorms began to form and strengthen over northwestern Texas by around 14UTC (9a.m. CDT) in response to the advection of warm air. [64] Ten tornadoesall rated either F0 or F1occurred in northern Alabama near the state border with Tennessee between 11-16UTC (6-11a.m. CDT) amid increasing wind shear. 3. [19][166] The longest-tracked tornado of the day, rated F2, touched down near Canton, Missouri, and lifted near Lima, Illinois, resulting in a tornadic path length spanning 89mi (143km). [50] Eight confirmed tornadoes touched down in Tennessee between 1422UTC (9a.m. The unusually far-reaching nature of this airmass resulted in the greatest tornadic activity occurring outside the climatological maximum area for tornadoes in May. 5. The total path length of the tornado path was about 83 miles long. [201] These storms continued into May11, developing into a squall line with embedded bow echoes that extended from western Indiana southwestward to the Mississippi River near Memphis, Tennessee. Regional Max/Min Temp and Precip. The tornado remained over generally rural areas and caused solely tree and power line damage prior to reaching the intersection of Highway Z and County Road 825. A dry line extended south of the cyclone over areas east of Dodge City, Kansas. [19], Temperatures along a front in Oklahoma had risen to near 80F (27C) by 15:00UTC (10:00a.m. CDT), producing a highly unstable atmosphere marked by CAPE values ranging between 30004000J/kg and lapse rates of around 8.5 C/km. A strong tornado struck Canton, MO during the early evening hours on May 10, 2003. [125] The day's first tornado in Kansas was an F0tornado that touched down in Cloud County at 20:32UTC (3:32p.m. [130], Two tornadic supercells in Oklahoma produced five tornadoes in the state during the afternoon. Lake Levels, Weather Safety/Preparedness Every fall, thousands of people visit Stockton to attend the famous Black Walnut Festival on the third weekend of September. In addition, a van had been blown onto the road and a pickup truck was flipped over in the ditch also warranting a high F-3 rating.