Severe thunderstorms erupted during the late afternoon ahead of a dry line.  Numerous tornado producing supercell thunderstorms were observed.  Dodge City, although with parts damaged by a tornado, escaped a major disaster as tornadoes near that location moved north and northwest, instead of moving northeast (as dictated by the upper steering winds).

Tornado in LANE, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 16:13:00 to 24-MAY-16 16:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: HEALY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

This tornado appeared to be stronger than the rating but since it did not encounter anything, it was given a rating of EF0.

Hail in FORD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 17:30:00 to 24-MAY-16 17:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: DODGE CITY
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: NWS Employee

Hail in FORD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 16:52:00 to 24-MAY-16 16:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLOOM
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: NWS Employee

Hail in FORD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 18:25:00 to 24-MAY-16 18:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: DODGE CITY
Magnitude: 2.75 
Reported by: NWS Employee

Hail in FORD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 17:26:00 to 24-MAY-16 17:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: DODGE CITY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: NWS Employee

Hail in FORD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 18:27:00 to 24-MAY-16 18:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: (DDC)DODGE CITY ARPT
Magnitude: 2.50 
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Hail in FORD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 17:40:00 to 24-MAY-16 17:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: DODGE CITY
Magnitude: 3.00 
Reported by: NWS Employee

Hail in FORD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 17:35:00 to 24-MAY-16 17:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: DODGE CITY
Magnitude: 3.00 
Reported by: NWS Employee

Hail in FORD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 17:30:00 to 24-MAY-16 17:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: DODGE CITY
Magnitude: 5.00 
Reported by: Public

There was a picture taken of this giant hail stone.

Hail in PRATT, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 20:16:00 to 24-MAY-16 20:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRATT
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in FORD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 16:40:00 to 24-MAY-16 16:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLOOM
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: NWS Employee

Tornado in NESS, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 17:19:00 to 24-MAY-16 17:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEELER
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado moved out of Hodgeman County at 17:19 CST and produced EF3 damage at a farm.  The most severe damage was done to trees in a draw or old creek bottom.

Hail in PRATT, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 20:10:00 to 24-MAY-16 20:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRATT
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in PRATT, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 20:03:00 to 24-MAY-16 20:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRATT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in SEWARD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 16:35:00 to 24-MAY-16 16:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAYNE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Public

Hail in SEWARD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 17:20:00 to 24-MAY-16 17:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAYNE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Tornado in LANE, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 16:24:00 to 24-MAY-16 16:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: HEALY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

This tornado moved almost due north.

Tornado in LANE, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 16:49:00 to 24-MAY-16 16:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: PENDENNIS
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

There was brief circulation at the surface for a little less than a minute.

Tornado in FORD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 16:55:00 to 24-MAY-16 17:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLOOM
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Family took shelter in an underground unit and was able to survive.  The modular home was completely destroyed.  Two vehicles were thrown about 150 yards.  Another truck was carried, rolled, thrown with the bed located 1200 yards from the original location.  The two occupants in the home destroyed were in a reinforced concrete bunker but one received minor injuries when a piece of pipe was driven into the wall breaking out concrete.  The steal rebar prevented the chunk of pipe from penetrating into the individual.  Visually at one point this tornado appeared to be strong enough to cause EF4 damage.

Tornado in FORD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 16:59:00 to 24-MAY-16 17:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLOOM
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

This was a brief and intermittent tornado under a second meso-cyclone that was east/northeast of the first tornado in southern Ford county.

Tornado in LANE, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 16:59:00 to 24-MAY-16 17:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALAMOTA
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

This was a brief tornado.

Tornado in LANE, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 17:04:00 to 24-MAY-16 17:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALAMOTA
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Another tornado observed from the cyclic supercell.

Funnel Cloud in FORD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 16:49:00 to 24-MAY-16 16:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLOOM
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Funnel Cloud in PRATT, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 19:40:00 to 24-MAY-16 19:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAWYER
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Funnel Cloud in HODGEMAN, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 18:39:00 to 24-MAY-16 18:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: JETMORE MUNI ARPT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Hail in HODGEMAN, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 17:09:00 to 24-MAY-16 17:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: JETMORE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Public

Tornado in HODGEMAN, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 17:12:00 to 24-MAY-16 17:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: JETMORE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado moved into Ness County at 17:19 CST.  It only went through grassland and a fence in Hodgeman County but became much stronger in Ness County.

Tornado in LANE, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 16:26:00 to 24-MAY-16 16:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: HEALY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

There was brief circulation at the surface from this apparent weak tornado.

Tornado in FORD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 17:20:00 to 24-MAY-16 17:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: DODGE CITY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

From chaser video this circulation was clearly evident and very much appeared to be a sub-meso producing brief tornado within in the larger storm mesocyclone.  This tornado had a brief cone appearance and lasted about 45 to 60 seconds.

Tornado in FORD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 17:28:00 to 24-MAY-16 17:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: DODGE CITY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

There were intermittent needle condensation tornadoes, several times with two at the same time underneath the mesocyclone. For sake of an argument, the two needles will considered a multiple vortex since they were associated with the same apparent meso.

Tornado in FORD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 17:32:00 to 24-MAY-16 17:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: DODGE CITY
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Damage was done to several pivot irrigation sprinklers.

Tornado in FORD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 17:14:00 to 24-MAY-16 17:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: DODGE CITY
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado did damage to trees and carried a stock tank over 1/2 mile.

Hail in PRATT, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 19:16:00 to 24-MAY-16 19:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAWYER
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: Public

Hail in NESS, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 18:03:00 to 24-MAY-16 18:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: NESS CITY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: COOP Observer

Hail in SEWARD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 16:31:00 to 24-MAY-16 16:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAYNE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Public

Hail in ELLIS, KANSAS
From 23-MAY-16 23:19:00 to 23-MAY-16 23:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: TURKVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Hail in PAWNEE, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 22:58:00 to 24-MAY-16 22:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: ASH VALLEY
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: COOP Observer

Tornado in NESS, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 17:43:00 to 24-MAY-16 17:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAIRD
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado turned back to the northwest.  It did damage to trees.

Tornado in HODGEMAN, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 18:12:00 to 24-MAY-16 18:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: JETMORE MUNI ARPT
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado moved out of Ford County where it had formed southwest of Dodge City.  As it crossed into Hodgeman County, it tossed a stock tank (partially filled) 1.5 miles west of the track.  Also this tornado turned northeast as it weakened, unlike the previous tornadoes that were turning northwest.

Tornado in FORD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 17:55:00 to 24-MAY-16 17:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: DODGE CITY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A closer encounter from Storm Chasers as this brief ground circulation under the mesocyclone lasted less than 1 minute.

Tornado in NESS, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 17:56:00 to 24-MAY-16 18:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: NESS CITY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

This tornado was observed southwest of Ness City but it moved east and may have produced some tree damage.  The survey crew could not reach the area of possible tree damage with limited or no access.

Thunderstorm Wind in NESS, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 18:03:00 to 24-MAY-16 18:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: NESS CITY
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winds were estimated to be 80 MPH.

Tornado in FORD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 18:07:00 to 24-MAY-16 18:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: (DDC)DODGE CITY ARPT
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado developed and intensified very rapidly.  It was witnessed by an off duty NWS employee along with numerous chasers, law enforcement personnel and storm spotters.  It developed just southwest of the county landfill and destroyed the landfills office and shop, producing EF3 damage at point.  Fortunately no one was at the facility at the time as it had closed for the day.

Tornado in NESS, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 18:17:00 to 24-MAY-16 18:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: NESS CITY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

This apparently weak tornado moved south-southeast.

Tornado in EDWARDS, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 18:25:00 to 24-MAY-16 18:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: HODGES
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Damage was done to several pivot irrigation sprinklers and trees.

Tornado in HODGEMAN, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 18:36:00 to 24-MAY-16 18:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: JETMORE MUNI ARPT
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

This tornado passed over an area that did not have objects to damage but did pass just west of a farm house.

Tornado in EDWARDS, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 18:49:00 to 24-MAY-16 18:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: HODGES
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This was an anti-cyclonic tornado that destroyed large power poles, several pivot irrigation sprinklers, and trees.

Tornado in SCOTT, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 14:56:00 to 24-MAY-16 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MODOC
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A storm chaser with a television station reported the first tornado of the day.  This tornado appeared to be a landspout but it was difficult to tell based on the distance from the chaser.

Tornado in SCOTT, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 15:04:00 to 24-MAY-16 15:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: MODOC
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

This tornado appeared capable of producing at least EF1-EF2 damage.  But it never hit anything.

Tornado in SCOTT, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 15:55:00 to 24-MAY-16 15:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANNING
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

There was brief circulation visible at the surface from this weak tornado.

Tornado in SCOTT, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 15:55:00 to 24-MAY-16 16:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANNING
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

This was the last of the tornadoes from this particular supercell thunderstorm.

Tornado in HODGEMAN, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 18:55:00 to 24-MAY-16 18:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: JETMORE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

This tornado was wrapped in rain at times but clearly evident.

Tornado in EDWARDS, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 19:00:00 to 24-MAY-16 19:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: CENTERVIEW
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This particularly large tornado damaged a home, trees, feed bunkers and pivot irrigation sprinklers.

Tornado in PRATT, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 19:25:00 to 24-MAY-16 19:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAWYER
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

This tornado passed over an area that had nothing to damage.

Tornado in RUSH, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 19:38:00 to 24-MAY-16 19:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHAFFER
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Minor damage was done to trees.

Tornado in NESS, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 18:22:00 to 24-MAY-16 18:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAIRD
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado moved in from Hodgeman County.  It heavily damaged trees, outbuildings, fences and trees.

Tornado in FORD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 18:15:00 to 24-MAY-16 18:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: (DDC)DODGE CITY ARPT
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Damage was done to a trailer house and outbuilding as well as to trees.  The tornado passed into Hodgeman County at 18:17 CST.

Tornado in HODGEMAN, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 18:17:00 to 24-MAY-16 18:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: JETMORE MUNI ARPT
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado moved out of Ford County but did encounter anything to damage on it's track in Hodgeman County.

Thunderstorm Wind in RUSH, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 18:53:00 to 24-MAY-16 18:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC CRACKEN
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winds were estimated to be 80 MPH.

Tornado in FORD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 17:52:00 to 24-MAY-16 18:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: DODGE CITY
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

During the initial stages of development, there was DOW data on this tornado.  It intensified from 40 meters/second to 90 meters/second in a span of 21 seconds that lasted less than a minute at those velocities.  This would have been enough to produce EF5 damage briefly, based on those velocities.  As the tornado moved north into a housing addition just west of Dodge City, it showed multiple vortex characteristics and did EF2 Damage. One person was seriously hurt in a home that was heavily damaged.  The tornado eventually went north-northwest and crossed into Hodgeman County at 18:12 CST as it turned northeast.  As it crossed into Hodgeman County, it tossed a partially filled stock tank to the west, about a mile and an half from the original location in far northern Ford County.

Hail in HASKELL, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 18:27:00 to 24-MAY-16 18:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: SUBLETTE ARPT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Tornado in HODGEMAN, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 18:03:00 to 24-MAY-16 18:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: JETMORE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

This tornado did not encounter any objects to damage.

Tornado in FORD, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 17:22:00 to 24-MAY-16 17:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: DODGE CITY
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Visually this tornado appeared to be much stronger, perhaps strong enough to produce EF4 damage.  Damage was done to several irrigation pivot sprinklers and to a farm house (that was on the edge of the circulation).

Tornado in HODGEMAN, KANSAS
From 24-MAY-16 18:11:00 to 24-MAY-16 18:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: JETMORE
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado moved north and northwest passing into Ness County at 18:22 CST.  Unfortunately it heavily damaged a farm that was also struck by a large tornado on March 28, 2007.  A stock trailer was carried 1.7 miles from it's original resting location at the farm.  Other heavy machinery was carried well over a mile.