Very large hail and a tornado occurred over north central Kansas on this Sunday afternoon and evening. Thunderstorms had developed over western Kansas by mid-afternoon and, by 5:30 p.m. CST, they began moving into north central Kansas. The storms were mostly short line-segments of multicell storms, but there was one supercell that lifted out of Ellis County into southeastern Rooks County. This storm was producing a tornado upon entering Rooks County, but the tornado quickly dissipated after crossing into the County. This supercell cycled and did spawn another short-track EF-1 tornado just northeast of where the previous tornado ended. This storm then merged with the developing squall line which swept east across the rest of north central Kansas. Severe hail was reported in many locations across Rooks, Osborne, and Mitchell Counties, the largest of which was 2 inches over west-central Osborne County. This line of storms exited north central Kansas by 11 p.m. CST. However, new severe thunderstorms were already developing to the southwest, apparently along the outflow boundary left by the preceding storms. These storms produced hail up to the size of golf balls in multiple locations between 11:15 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. CST. Cell training occurred with these storms and, when combined with the previous line, a CoCoRaHS observer measured 3.77 inches of rain which fell in less than 12 hours.
A low pressure center was located over western Kansas. A warm front extended east from this low through northern Kansas. This front lifted north into Nebraska during the afternoon hours. These storms developed in the vicinity of this front and in the warm sector. Prior to convective initiation, temperatures were in the middle 70s with dewpoints in the middle 50s. Mid-level lapse rates were very steep, between 8 and 8.5 degrees C/km, resulting in MLCAPE between 1500 and 2000 J/kg. Effective deep layer shear was between 35 and 40 knots. In the upper-levels, split flow was over North America, with a closed low over Wyoming and Colorado.

Tornado in ROOKS, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-16 18:21:00 to 08-MAY-16 18:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: CODELL
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado was the continuation and end of the tornado that started in Ellis County north of the town of Catharine. In Rooks County, the overall damage was minimal and confined to trees as the tornado lifted within a mile of the county line. The entire path length through the 2 counties was 7 miles. At its peak in Ellis County, the maximum wind speed was estimated to be 125 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in PHILLIPS, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-16 18:02:00 to 08-MAY-16 18:02:00 (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.

Heavy Rain in MITCHELL, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-16 19:00:00 to 09-MAY-16 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUNTER
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Storm total rainfall was 3.77 inches.

Tornado in ROOKS, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-16 18:27:00 to 08-MAY-16 18:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: CODELL
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado, the second to affect Rooks County on this day, touched down approximately 4 miles south of Codell, moved northeast and lifted appoximately 2 miles southeast of Codell. Damage along its path was confined to trees, fencing and several power poles. The maximum wind speed was estimated to be 110 MPH.

Hail in MITCHELL, KANSAS
From 09-MAY-16 00:13:00 to 09-MAY-16 00:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: VICTOR
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Tornado in OSBORNE, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-16 18:27:00 to 08-MAY-16 18:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: NATOMA
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado, the second to affect Osborne County on this day, touched down approximately 4 miles south of Codell, moved northeast and lifted appoximately 2 miles southeast of Codell. Damage along its path was confined to trees, fencing and several power poles. The maximum wind speed was estimated to be 110 MPH.

Tornado in OSBORNE, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-16 18:21:00 to 08-MAY-16 18:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: NATOMA
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado was the continuation and end of the tornado that started in Ellis County north of the town of Catharine. In Rooks County, the overall damage was minimal and confined to trees as the tornado lifted within a mile of the county line. The entire path length through the 2 counties was 7 miles. At its peak in Ellis County, the maximum wind speed was estimated to be 125 MPH.

Hail in PHILLIPS, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-16 17:40:00 to 08-MAY-16 17:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: LONG IS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in PHILLIPS, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-16 18:02:00 to 08-MAY-16 18:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: LOGAN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in ROOKS, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-16 18:20:00 to 08-MAY-16 18:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: PLAINVILLE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Hail in MITCHELL, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-16 20:16:00 to 08-MAY-16 20:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAWKER CITY
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in MITCHELL, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-16 23:17:00 to 08-MAY-16 23:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: VICTOR
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in OSBORNE, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-16 23:42:00 to 08-MAY-16 23:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: COVERT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in MITCHELL, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-16 23:24:00 to 08-MAY-16 23:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: BELOIT
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 125.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Hail in MITCHELL, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-16 23:21:00 to 08-MAY-16 23:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: BELOIT
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 125.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in MITCHELL, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-16 20:02:00 to 08-MAY-16 20:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: TIPTON
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 125.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in OSBORNE, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-16 18:50:00 to 08-MAY-16 18:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: NATOMA
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 175.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in ROOKS, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-16 18:32:00 to 08-MAY-16 18:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: CODELL
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 150.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in OSBORNE, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-16 19:05:00 to 08-MAY-16 19:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: NATOMA
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 200.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Hail in OSBORNE, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-16 19:21:00 to 08-MAY-16 19:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: COVERT
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 175.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in MITCHELL, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-16 23:21:00 to 08-MAY-16 23:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUNTER
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 175.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in MITCHELL, KANSAS
From 09-MAY-16 00:01:00 to 09-MAY-16 00:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUNTER
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 175.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in MITCHELL, KANSAS
From 09-MAY-16 00:22:00 to 09-MAY-16 00:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: BELOIT
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 125.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Hail in MITCHELL, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-16 23:44:00 to 08-MAY-16 23:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: ASHERVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser