On 10-11 April 2001, much of the central and southern United States experienced a severe weather outbreak which included damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes. This study focuses on storms that affected the NWS Hastings Nebraska (WFO GID) county warning area (CWA) which includes 30 counties in south central Nebraska and north central Kansas.

The storms of interest initially developed in southwest Kansas during the evening of 10 April. They formed a squall line and moved rapidly toward the WFO GID CWA. The initial thought by the GID staff was that the primary threat would be damaging winds. However, as the line progressed across the CWA, 14 tornadoes occurred.

This paper will focus on why the initial expectations of a high wind event were made, and then what changes took place to cause so many tornadoes to occur. Factors considered in the warning process will be discussed. The pre and near storm environments will be investigated for insights as to why so many tornadoes formed. In addition, radar data will be examined to see where tornado formation occurred along the line.