Alert archive / Kansas / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2018

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 33, NWS Goodland, KS

May 18, 2018Thomas County, Kansas

NWS Goodland, KS issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 18, 2018, 8:25 PM CDT for Thomas County, Kansas. It was in force for 35 min. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: May 18, 2018, 8:25 PM CDT (01:25 UTC)
Expired: May 18, 2018, 9:00 PM CDT
In force: 35 min
Issued by: NWS Goodland, KS
Area: Storm-based polygon
Hail: 2.0 in
Wind: 70.0 mph

County Thomas County, KS

The radar

The Goodland radar (KGLD), 57 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:25 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
May 18, 8:31 PM CDT	HAIL 1	4 N Colby, KS
May 18, 8:40 PM CDT	FUNNEL CLOUD	Colby, KS	EMERGENCY MANAGER RECEIVED TWO REPORTS OF FUNNEL CLOUDS. ONE OVER THE TOWN AND JUST TO THE NORTHEAST OF TOWN.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 6 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
May 18, 4:02 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

N. Platte/Lee Bi, NE (KLBF), launched 00:00Z, 1.4 hours before the alert went out and 187 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 864 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -13 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 689 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 26 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: -78 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 1 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: -0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

228 
WUUS53 KGLD 190125
SVRGLD
KSC193-190200-
/O.NEW.KGLD.SV.W.0033.180519T0125Z-180519T0200Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Goodland KS
825 PM CDT FRI MAY 18 2018

The National Weather Service in Goodland has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northeastern Thomas County in northwestern Kansas...

* Until 900 PM CDT

* At 825 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles north of
  Colby, moving southeast at 20 mph.

  HAZARD...Two inch hail and 70 mph wind gusts. 

  SOURCE...Radar indicated. 

  IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail 
           damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect 
           considerable tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to 
           mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. 

* Locations impacted include...
  Colby and Gem. 

This includes Interstate 70 in Kansas between mile markers 54 and 60.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 3950 10120 3956 10113 3956 10101 3951 10080
      3929 10099
TIME...MOT...LOC 0125Z 288DEG 15KT 3949 10104 

HAIL...2.00IN
WIND...70MPH
 
$$

TL

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Goodland, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 18, 7:21 PM CDT, 1 hour 4 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 18, 7:21 PM CDT, 1 hour 4 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Goodland KS
621 PM MDT Fri May 18 2018

.UPDATE...
Issued at 603 PM MDT Fri May 18 2018

Just completed an update. Main reason was to expand the severe
thunderstorm watch. Also raised pops and raised rainfall amounts
based on high resolution/CAMs have a very good handle on what is
going on.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday)
Issued at 209 PM MDT Fri May 18 2018

Forecast still looks on track for this afternoon/evening with
convection expected to form vicinity of leading edge of outflow
boundary. Latest GOES imagery suggests boundary lies along
convergent zone of stable wave clouds and cumulus streets over
northern Greeley and Wichita counties extending up toward Gove
and over to Wakeeney. HRRR has been very consistent last 6 runs or
so with timing of storm initiation around 4-5 pm MDT and location
around highway 96. Latest SPC mesoanalysis suggests there may be
a couple more hours before CINH is overcome.

Guidance points to storms quickly developing upscale with discrete
storms existing in a narrow time window early on. Not thinking
much of a tornado threat given weak 1 km bulk shear and SRH
values, but best chances would likely be across far southern part
of our forecast area late this afternoon.

Given mean wind flow and high precipitable water values, potential
for heavy rainfall exists in areas which experience training
cells, perhaps with better chances over our north and northeast
counties.

On Saturday, cold front will push through the area with GFS a bit
faster than NAM, accompanied by showers. Current forecast has
Saturday high temps ranging from low 50s NW to low 70s SE, but
frontal timing may require refinement.

.LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Friday)
Issued at 245 PM MDT Fri May 18 2018

Long range guidance suggests that split flow aloft will prevail
over the western CONUS through next week -- and that shortwave
energy digging ashore the PAC NW on Sunday will amplify into a
closed low that stalls over portions of the Intermountain West
Mon-Wed. W-SW flow aloft is expected downstream over the Rockies
and High Plains. Given a complicated synoptic pattern
characterized by split flow and a cut-off low -- confidence is
very low w/regard to sensible weather over the Tri-State area
next week.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday evening)
Issued at 603 PM MDT Fri May 18 2018

Widespread thunderstorms that will be severe and producing heavy
rainfall are developing and expanding over the area. Prevailing
conditions will be Mvfr with occasional ifr conditions through
this period. Winds will be gusty and variable.

&&

.GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KS...NONE.
CO...NONE.
NE...NONE.
&&

UPDATE...BULLER
SHORT TERM...DLF
LONG TERM...VINCENT
AVIATION...BULLER

Hazardous weather outlook, May 18, 7:29 PM CDT, 56 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Goodland KS
629 PM MDT Fri May 18 2018

COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-191200-
Yuma County-Kit Carson County-Cheyenne County-Cheyenne-Rawlins-
Decatur-Norton-Sherman-Thomas-Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-
Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock-Red Willow-
629 PM MDT Fri May 18 2018 /729 PM CDT Fri May 18 2018/

This hazardous weather outlook is for extreme southwest Nebraska...
northwest Kansas and east central Colorado.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT...

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected across the area
through the night. For this evening, these storms will be capable of
producing large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes. Through
the night these storms will be capable of producing very heavy
rainfall that could cause flash flooding.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH FRIDAY...

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will be needed

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 18, 7:51 PM CDT, 34 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
651 PM MDT FRI MAY 18 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0636 PM     TORNADO          5 NE PARK               39.16N 100.30W
05/18/2018                   SHERIDAN           KS   STORM CHASER

            LANDSPOUT

&&

BWARREN

Local storm report, May 18, 8:02 PM CDT, 23 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
702 PM MDT FRI MAY 18 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0614 PM     HAIL             HERNDON                 39.91N 100.79W
05/18/2018  M1.50 INCH       RAWLINS            KS   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

BWARREN

Local storm report, May 18, 8:06 PM CDT, 19 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
706 PM MDT FRI MAY 18 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0640 PM     FLASH FLOOD      HERNDON                 39.91N 100.79W
05/18/2018                   RAWLINS            KS   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

            THIS IS TO CLARIFY AN EARLIER REPORT. THE WATER IN THE
            BUILDING IS 4 INCHES DEEP.

&&

MBULLER

Local storm report, May 18, 8:16 PM CDT, 9 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
716 PM MDT FRI MAY 18 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0714 PM     HAIL             4 W QUINTER             39.07N 100.31W
05/18/2018  E2.75 INCH       GOVE               KS   PUBLIC

            MILE MARKER 103 ON I70.

&&

BWARREN

Local storm report, May 18, 8:20 PM CDT, 5 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
720 PM MDT FRI MAY 18 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0713 PM     HAIL             OBERLIN                 39.82N 100.53W
05/18/2018  E2.00 INCH       DECATUR            KS   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

BWARREN

Local storm report, May 18, 8:24 PM CDT, 1 minute before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
724 PM MDT FRI MAY 18 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0715 PM     HAIL             11 WNW THE MONUMENT ROC 38.81N 100.97W
05/18/2018  M1.50 INCH       LOGAN              KS   STORM CHASER

&&

BWARREN

The office that day

Everything else NWS Goodland, KS issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 18, 7:04 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	GLD	Decatur, Rawlins	3 hr
May 18, 7:13 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Logan	47 min
May 18, 7:13 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Decatur, Rawlins	32 min
May 18, 7:24 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Rawlins	36 min
May 18, 7:28 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	GLD	Decatur	32 min
May 18, 7:31 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	GLD	Sheridan	14 min
May 18, 7:43 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Decatur	32 min
May 18, 7:49 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	GLD	Sheridan	26 min
May 18, 7:53 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Rawlins	22 min
May 18, 7:54 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Gove, Logan	51 min
May 18, 7:56 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	GLD	Decatur	34 min
May 18, 7:57 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	GLD	Gove, Sheridan	18 min
May 18, 8:01 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Rawlins, Thomas	29 min
May 18, 8:09 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Decatur	51 min
May 18, 8:12 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Rawlins	33 min
May 18, 8:12 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Gove	33 min
May 18, 8:17 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Greeley, Wallace	58 min
May 18, 8:32 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Decatur	43 min
May 18, 8:39 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Rawlins	36 min
May 18, 8:40 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Gove	35 min
May 18, 8:42 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Gove, Logan	33 min
May 18, 8:44 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	GLD	Thomas	16 min
May 18, 8:52 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Thomas	38 min
May 18, 8:54 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Gove, Graham, Sheridan	51 min
May 18, 8:58 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Decatur, Norton, Sheridan	47 min
May 18, 9:02 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Greeley, Logan, Sherman, Wallace	58 min
May 18, 9:06 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	GLD	Gove	4 hr
May 18, 9:17 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Gove	13 min
May 18, 9:20 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Decatur, Sheridan	25 min
May 18, 9:21 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	GLD	Decatur, Graham, Norton, Sheridan	6 hr
May 18, 9:22 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Sheridan, Thomas	24 min
May 18, 9:49 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Cheyenne	26 min
May 18, 9:58 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Sherman, Thomas	47 min
May 18, 10:22 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GLD	Thomas	23 min
May 18, 10:26 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	GLD	Sherman	4 hr

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Kansas, 2018 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2018

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.