Severe weather was widespread across the Central Plains on this Wednesday, and North Central Kansas was not spared. An EF-1 tornado occurred, as well as straight-line wind damage. During the afternoon, an extensive squall line formed from north-central Nebraska to western Kansas. Around 8 pm CDT, as the squall line approached North Central Kansas, the part of the line over Norton and Graham counties surged outward, resulting in an embedded bow echo. Spotters estimated winds of 60 to 70 mph, with the main swath of damage occurring over Phillips and Smith Counties. The spotter-estimated winds were confirmed by a measurement of 58 MPH at the Smith Center municipal airport. Trees and power poles were blown down in parts of Phillips county. Some of that damage was associated with a brief, non-supercell tornado south of Prairie View. Winds were estimated as high as 90 MPH. The line weakened once it past Smith Center, but it still produced winds as high as 50 mph in some locations.
These numerous thunderstorms, and the associated severe weather, were a result of lee cyclogenesis over Colorado. A negatively tilted upper-level trough extended from Colorado southeastward to Texas, with the leading edge of a 100 knot upper-level jet streak just to the west. The atmosphere was extremely unstable. Temperatures nearing 80 degrees, with dewpoints approaching 70 degrees, resulted in MLCAPE of 3000-3500 J/kg. Deep layer shear was around 40 knots.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROOKS, KANSAS
From 29-MAY-13 19:30:00 to 29-MAY-13 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEBSTER RES
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 60 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in SMITH, KANSAS
From 29-MAY-13 19:54:00 to 29-MAY-13 19:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: SMITH CENTER ARPT
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Thunderstorm Wind in SMITH, KANSAS
From 29-MAY-13 20:11:00 to 29-MAY-13 20:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: SMITH CENTER
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 60 MPH.

Tornado in PHILLIPS, KANSAS
From 29-MAY-13 19:10:00 to 29-MAY-13 19:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRAIRIE VIEW
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 80.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado touched down approximately 1 mile south of Prairie View and was on the ground for a couple minutes before lifting just outside the southeast edge of town.  This EF1 rated tornado had a maximum wind speed estimated to be 90 mph and a maximum width of 40 yards.  Damage from this tornado was primarily confined to one farmstead, with 3 outbuildings being damaged or destroyed, tree damage with limbs up of 6 to 8 inches in diameter being broken and the home sustained window damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in PHILLIPS, KANSAS
From 29-MAY-13 19:24:00 to 29-MAY-13 19:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: LOGAN
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 60 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in PHILLIPS, KANSAS
From 29-MAY-13 19:32:00 to 29-MAY-13 19:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: LONG IS
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Wind gusts were estimated to be between 60 and 70 MPH.