A volatile environment developed across Kansas that featured extremely strong wind shear and sufficient buoyancy (called convective energy) to allow supercell thunderstorms to develop ahead of a dry line across central Kansas.  The supercells produced strong to violent tornadoes across central Kansas and tracked into parts of the NWS Topeka county warning area during the evening.  A handful of tornadoes were reported along with some large hail reports with the most numerous reports of large hail occurring after midnight.

Tornado in OTTAWA, KANSAS
From 14-APR-12 18:05:00 to 14-APR-12 18:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: NILES
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Numerous reports of a well formed stove-pipe tornado were received as the storm crossed the Saline/Ottawa County line.  The storm was also watched on live TV at the office via storm chaser cameras.  The tornado was very well formed and was likely very strong; however, it did not impact many structures so the subsequent rating was EF-1.  The extent of the damage was to a gas transfer station along K-18 near Solomon Road in rural Ottawa County.  Near the station some power poles were snapped and laying across the roadway.  Aside from the gas transfer station a few farmsteads were impacted, with the main damage being some damaged outbuildings. The tornado crossed the Ottawa/Dickinson County line near Barn Road and 3200 Road, and eventually dissipated in an open field in near Manchester.

Tornado in LYON, KANSAS
From 14-APR-12 23:06:00 to 14-APR-12 23:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: OLPE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A brief tornado was observed approximately 4 miles southwest of Olpe by storm spotters.  The tornado did no damage and was only briefly observed before dissipating.

Tornado in DICKINSON, KANSAS
From 14-APR-12 18:31:00 to 14-APR-12 18:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUCKEYE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

The parent storm of the tornado that moved through Ottawa and Dickinson Counties formed another brief and weak tornado between Manchester and Industry.  The only evidence of this tornado comes in the form of spotter and chaser reports, as survey teams did not locate any damage.  The tornado dissipated over an open field near Industry.

Hail in CLAY, KANSAS
From 14-APR-12 13:29:00 to 14-APR-12 13:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: IDANA
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in POTTAWATOMIE, KANSAS
From 15-APR-12 01:30:00 to 15-APR-12 01:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: GARRISON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in SHAWNEE, KANSAS
From 15-APR-12 02:46:00 to 15-APR-12 02:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELMONT
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

At a residence south of Hoyt a metal roof was ripped off of an outbuilding.  A hay barn made out of pole shed was destroyed, and a narrow corridor of cottonwood trees were also heavily damaged.

Hail in MARSHALL, KANSAS
From 14-APR-12 14:35:00 to 14-APR-12 14:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: SUMMERFIELD
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in DICKINSON, KANSAS
From 14-APR-12 22:29:00 to 14-APR-12 22:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOONLIGHT
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in OTTAWA, KANSAS
From 14-APR-12 22:45:00 to 14-APR-12 22:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENNINGTON
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in CLAY, KANSAS
From 14-APR-12 23:55:00 to 15-APR-12 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAKEFIELD
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in CLAY, KANSAS
From 15-APR-12 00:00:00 to 15-APR-12 00:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: BROUGHTON
Magnitude: 4.00 
Reported by: Public

Grapefruit sized hail put holes in roofs or cars and broke all west facing house windows.

Hail in CLOUD, KANSAS
From 14-APR-12 13:46:00 to 14-APR-12 13:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLYDE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in WASHINGTON, KANSAS
From 14-APR-12 14:05:00 to 14-APR-12 14:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARNES
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in MARSHALL, KANSAS
From 14-APR-12 14:21:00 to 14-APR-12 14:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOME
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in RILEY, KANSAS
From 15-APR-12 00:15:00 to 15-APR-12 00:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: RANDOLPH
Magnitude: 4.50 
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm Wind in REPUBLIC, KANSAS
From 14-APR-12 14:43:00 to 14-APR-12 14:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: CUBA
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A member of the public reported a 60 mph wind gust near Cuba.

Hail in POTTAWATOMIE, KANSAS
From 15-APR-12 00:20:00 to 15-APR-12 00:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: OLSBURG
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in MARSHALL, KANSAS
From 15-APR-12 00:46:00 to 15-APR-12 00:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: SULLIVAN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in MARSHALL, KANSAS
From 14-APR-12 14:23:00 to 14-APR-12 14:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARYSVILLE ARPT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in MARSHALL, KANSAS
From 14-APR-12 14:30:00 to 14-APR-12 14:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: SUMMERFIELD
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in MARSHALL, KANSAS
From 15-APR-12 00:53:00 to 15-APR-12 00:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: VERMILLION
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Tornado in DICKINSON, KANSAS
From 14-APR-12 18:17:00 to 14-APR-12 18:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANCHESTER
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: Storm Chaser

This is a continuation of the tornado track through Ottawa County.  Numerous reports of a well formed stove-pipe tornado were received as the storm crossed the Saline/Ottawa County line. The storm was also watched on live TV at the office via storm chaser cameras. The tornado was very well formed and was likely very strong; however, it did not impact many structures so the subsequent rating was EF-1. The extent of the damage was to a gas transfer station along K-18 near Solomon Road in rural Ottawa County. Near the station some power poles were snapped and laying across the roadway. Aside from the gas transfer station a few farmsteads were impacted, with the main damage being some damaged outbuildings. The tornado crossed the Ottawa/Dickinson County line near Barn Road and 3200 Road, and eventually dissipated in an open field in near Manchester.

Hail in POTTAWATOMIE, KANSAS
From 15-APR-12 00:45:00 to 15-APR-12 00:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLAINE
Magnitude: 2.50 
Reported by: COOP Observer

Hail in MARSHALL, KANSAS
From 15-APR-12 00:55:00 to 15-APR-12 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LILLIS
Magnitude: 2.75 
Reported by: COOP Observer

Thunderstorm Wind in SHAWNEE, KANSAS
From 15-APR-12 02:30:00 to 15-APR-12 02:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: WILLARD
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A 6 inch diameter tree limb broke near Rossville.

Thunderstorm Wind in DICKINSON, KANSAS
From 14-APR-12 18:15:00 to 14-APR-12 18:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANCHESTER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A large metal outbuilding had its roof ripped off by straight line winds.

Hail in CLAY, KANSAS
From 15-APR-12 00:50:00 to 15-APR-12 00:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: BROUGHTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Tornado in MORRIS, KANSAS
From 14-APR-12 20:01:00 to 14-APR-12 20:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: BURDICK
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement reported a short narrow damage path to hedge row trees relayed by Emergency Manager.  Corroborated with radar data and time estimated based off of radar and track from tornado that moved from Marion County.