Alert archive / Kansas / Flash Flood Warnings in 2023

Flash Flood Warning 5, NWS Hastings, NE

July 4, 2023Phillips County, Smith County, Kansas

NWS Hastings, NE issued this flash flood warning at Jul 4, 2023, 6:25 PM CDT for Phillips County, Smith County, Kansas. It was in force for 6 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jul 4, 2023, 6:25 PM CDT (23:25 UTC)
Expired
Jul 5, 2023, 12:12 AM CDT
In force
6 hr
Issued by
NWS Hastings, NE
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Phillips County, KS, Smith County, KS

The radar

The Grand Island radar (KUEX), 80 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:27 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.

The nearest sounding before it

N. Platte/Lee Bi, NE (KLBF), launched 12:00Z, 11.4 hours before the alert went out and 198 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-pSkew-T log-p diagram, N. Platte/Lee Bi, NE at 12:00Z on 2023-07-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1345 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, N. Platte/Lee Bi, NE at 12:00Z on 2023-07-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 117 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
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
1345 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-204 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1953 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
23 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
117 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
206 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
1.6

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

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

NWS Hastings, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 4, 3:25 PM CDT, 3 hours earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 4, 3:25 PM CDT, 3 hours before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Hastings NE
325 PM CDT Tue Jul 4 2023

.DISCUSSION...(This evening through Tuesday)
Issued at 315 PM CDT Tue Jul 4 2023

Key Messages:

* Severe thunderstorms are expected from late this afternoon into
  tonight for most of the area.

* A cold front will push through the area today into tonight
  resulting in high temperatures in the 70s beginning on Wednesday.

* A chance of showers and thunderstorms is present nearly every
  day. Gradually warming temperatures are expected beginning
  Saturday.

An upper level trough is over the northern Rocky Mountains and
Northern Plains and is bringing a cold front south through Nebraska.
High temperatures in advance of this front are expected to range
from the upper 80s to near 100. Dewpoints are mostly in the 60s so
this will result in heat index values in the mid 90s to around 100
degrees this afternoon. Currently, isolated showers and storms are
moving across portions of south central Nebraska but the main storm
activity is expected to develop later this afternoon into this
evening when the cold front moves through the area. A very moist and
unstable atmosphere is present. CAPE values are generally near 4,000
J/kg ahead of the front and 0 to 6 km wind shear values are around
35 kts. Mid-level lapse rates are generally 7 to 8 degrees C/km. The
Storm Prediction Center has outlooked north central Kansas and
portions of south central Nebraska in an enhanced risk for severe
weather today. Large hail, wind gusts up to 80 mph, and brief heavy
rain will be the main threats with these storms. Storms are expected
to develop along the cold front late this afternoon and early this
evening and will likely begin to impact the tri-cities area around
this time. This line of storms will strengthen as it moves south and
will continue to produce showers and storms behind the initial line.
This line will move into north central Kansas this evening. The rain
and storms across the area are expected to continue into the
overnight hours. The highest threat of severe weather will be along
the initial line of storms that develops. Low temperatures tonight
will be in the mid 50s to mid 60s.

The upper trough will be over the Northern and Central Plains on
Wednesday. Showers and storms will be possible across north central
Kansas and south central and central Nebraska but the threat of
severe weather will not be nearly as high as today. The atmosphere
is expected to be more stable behind the cold front. Temperatures
will be much cooler on Wednesday with highs mostly in the 70s. Low
temperatures Wednesday night will mostly be in the 50s with some
upper 40s possible across portions of Valley, Greeley, and Nance
Counties. The upper trough will move a little east of the area on
Thursday with high temperatures warming up slightly from the
previous day but remaining mostly in the 70s. Some showers and
storms will be possible Thursday night. Rain and storm chances
continue into Friday as upper level disturbances move near and over
the area. High temperatures on Friday will be similar or slightly
cooler than those on Thursday. Rain and storm chances continue
through the weekend with temperatures warming up a little each day.
High temperatures will mostly be in the 80s on Sunday. Temperatures
will gradually warm for Monday into next Tuesday.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z KGRI/KEAR TAFS through 18Z Wednesday)
Issued at 1232 PM CDT Tue Jul 4 2023

South to southwest winds will be present this afternoon then will
become gusty out of the northwest to north this evening. TSRA will
also be likely this evening and may continue into the overnight
hours. Low ceilings are also expected beginning around 05z and are
expected to continue through much of the morning. Winds will
diminish later in the overnight period but will remain out of the
north.

&&

.GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...NONE.
KS...NONE.
&&

DISCUSSION...Schuldt
AVIATION...Schuldt
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 4, 3:38 PM CDT, 2 hours 47 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Hastings NE
338 PM CDT Tue Jul 4 2023

KSZ005>007-017>019-NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087-
052045-
Phillips-Smith-Jewell-Rooks-Osborne-Mitchell-Valley-Greeley-Nance-
Sherman-Howard-Merrick-Polk-Dawson-Buffalo-Hall-Hamilton-York-
Gosper-Phelps-Kearney-Adams-Clay-Fillmore-Furnas-Harlan-Franklin-
Webster-Nuckolls-Thayer-
338 PM CDT Tue Jul 4 2023

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Nebraska and
portions of north central Kansas.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

A cold front is expected to impact the local area today. Ahead of
this front, heat index values will climb to near 100 degrees in
spots this afternoon.

Of overall-greater concern will be the chance for thunderstorms
and severe weather, which could impact a large portion of the
local area from the mid afternoon through the overnight hours.
The main threats with these storms will be hail up to 2.5 inches,
wind gusts up to 80 mph, and brief heavy rain leading to possible
localized flash flooding. Those with outdoor plans for this
afternoon and evening need to be prepared for the possibility of
thunderstorm related disruptions.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Periodic chances for thunderstorms are expected to impact parts
of the local area from Wednesday through Monday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Please relay reports of damaging wind gusts as well as hail of
any size to the National Weather Service in Hastings.

&&

More information may be obtained at the following web page:
   https://www.weather.gov/hastings

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 4, 5:12 PM CDT, 1 hour 13 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hastings NE
512 PM CDT Tue Jul 4 2023

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

0445 PM     Hail             Kensington              39.77N 99.03W
07/04/2023  E1.75 inch       Smith              KS   Public

            Photo from Facebook of Golf Ball size hail
            in Kensington.

&&
Special weather statement, Jul 4, 5:28 PM CDT, 57 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
528 PM CDT Tue Jul 4 2023

NEZ041-048-049-042315-
Merrick NE-Nance NE-Polk NE-
528 PM CDT Tue Jul 4 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Nance,
northeastern Merrick and central Polk Counties through 615 PM CDT...

At 528 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Silver Creek, or 22 miles southwest of Columbus, moving east at 40
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern Nance,
northeastern Merrick and central Polk Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
central and east central Nebraska.

&&

LAT...LON 4120 9799 4137 9788 4141 9770 4140 9770
      4139 9760 4133 9760 4133 9758 4136 9752
      4137 9745 4139 9739 4139 9737 4116 9737
TIME...MOT...LOC 2228Z 259DEG 34KT 4130 9775

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Schuldt
Special weather statement, Jul 4, 5:52 PM CDT, 33 minutes before
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Local storm report, Jul 4, 5:54 PM CDT, 31 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Jul 4, 5:58 PM CDT, 27 minutes before
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Local storm report, Jul 4, 6:06 PM CDT, 19 minutes before
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The office that day

Everything else NWS Hastings, NE issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 4, 5:04 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDPlatte26 min
Jul 4, 5:28 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDPolk47 min
Jul 4, 5:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGIDMerrick, Nance, Polk52 min
Jul 4, 5:52 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDFillmore38 min
Jul 4, 5:58 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDFranklin32 min
Jul 4, 6:05 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGIDClay, Fillmore, Hamilton, York40 min
Jul 4, 6:05 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGIDFranklin, Webster40 min
Jul 4, 6:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGIDMerrick, Polk, York37 min
Jul 4, 6:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGIDClay, Fillmore, York35 min
Jul 4, 6:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGIDAdams, Franklin, Kearney, Webster33 min
Jul 4, 6:58 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatGIDPolk, York17 min
Jul 4, 3:50 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDRooks25 min
Jul 4, 4:12 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGIDPhillips, Smith48 min
Jul 4, 4:19 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDRooks26 min
Jul 4, 4:58 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGIDOsborne, Phillips, Rooks, Smith47 min
Jul 4, 5:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGIDPhillips, Rooks, Smith48 min
Jul 4, 5:49 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGIDPhillips, Smith5 hr
Jul 4, 6:29 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGIDPhillips, Rooks31 min
Jul 4, 6:44 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGIDOsborne46 min
Jul 4, 6:46 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGIDPhillips29 min
Jul 4, 6:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGIDJewell, Mitchell, Osborne, Rooks, Smith49 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Kansas, 2023Every flash flood warning in 2023

Sources

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