On This Day in 1991: Andover, Kansas, F5 Tornado

Thirty-one years ago on Monday, April 26, 1991, a massive F5 tornado devastated Andover, Kan., in a violent tornado outbreak over the plains of Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. There were 55 tornadoes recorded in the outbreak, 30 of which were rated F2 or greater on the Fujita scale. Four were rated F4, 3 in Oklahoma and 1 in Kansas, and the Wichita-Andover tornado was rated F5.

The synoptic setup featured a strong jet streak rounding the base of a trough across the Desert Southwest. During the day, the trough lifted to the northeast over the southern and central Plains. The combination of cooler temperatures aloft and ample low-level moisture along with strong daytime heating gave way to a very unstable atmopshere.

The addition of a dry line located across west-central Kansas served as a boundary between warm, moisture rich air and warm, dry air. It acted as a trigger for the intiation of thunderstorms, which eruped in a prime region for supercell development given the presence of favorable wind shear.

Just after 4 p.m., a Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Harper County on the supercell that would later produce the Andover tornado. The supercell thunderstorm produced its first tornado near Anthony, Kan. The first tornado was short-lived and was on the ground for one mile. It was eventually rated an F0.

The supercell continued tracking northeast and spawned another tornado near Freeport, Kan. The tornado remained on the ground and moved northwest of Freeport, Kan., towards Argonia, Kan. The tornado was on the ground for 16 miles over rural areas before lifting south of Argonia, Kan. This tornado was later rated an F0.

The dangerous supercell continued to cycle while tracking northeast into Sedgwick County. A tornado touched down east of Clearwater, Kan., which would become the devastating Andover tornado. This tornado continued tracking northeast and affected southern parts of Wichita, Kan. It then hit Haysville, Kan., as a strong F2/F3, the first town to be hit. The violent tornado tore across McConnell Air Force Base, making a direct hit though it just missed a lineup of B1-B bombers.

From there, the Andover tornado damaged or destroyed nine major facilities causing $62 million in damages before heading directly for the city of Andover. The tornado began to move into the south side of Andover, rumbling through the Golden Spur Mobile Home Park. By this point, the tornado grew to F5 intensity.
After striking Andover, the tornado continued northeast and hit the outskirts of Towanda, Kan. Just after 7 p.m., the Andover tornado finally dissipated west of El Dorado and north of the Kansas Turnpike.

In total, the F5 tornado in Andover killed 17 people. The tornado at its peak was at just over 600 yards wide when it entered Andover. The tornado was on the ground for an hour and travelled almost 46 miles. Andover's population at the time was around 4,300, and the tornado destroyed 300 homes, leaving a third of residents homeless. The tornado also demolished 10 businesses and two churches.

The storm was another reminder of just how dangerous tornadoes can become and the importance of having a tornado plan. Remember to take shelter immediately if there is a tornado warning or if you see signs of a tornado.

Source: weather.gov
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Story Image: The monstrous F5 tornado located in Andover, Kansas, on April 26, 1991. (Courtesy of Andover resident Earl Evans)
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