Alert archive / Kansas / Flash Flood Warnings in 2023

Flash Flood Warning 37, NWS Goodland, KS

May 30, 2023Decatur County, Rawlins County, Kansas

NWS Goodland, KS issued this flash flood warning at May 30, 2023, 7:45 PM CDT for Decatur County, Rawlins County, Kansas. It was in force for 72 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
May 30, 2023, 7:45 PM CDT (00:45 UTC)
Expired
May 30, 2023, 8:57 PM CDT
In force
72 min
Issued by
NWS Goodland, KS
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Decatur County, KS, Rawlins County, KS

The radar

The Goodland radar (KGLD), 92 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:45 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 00:00Z, 0.8 hours before the alert went out and 150 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 00:00Z on 2023-05-31Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2814 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 00:00Z on 2023-05-31The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 38 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
2814 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-23 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1491 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
26 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
38 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
110 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.5
Supercell composite
5.1

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 Goodland, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at May 30, 6:22 PM CDT, 1 hour 23 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 30, 6:22 PM CDT, 1 hour 23 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Goodland KS
522 PM MDT Tue May 30 2023

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Thursday night)
Issued at 146 PM MDT Tue May 30 2023

Across the Tri State region this afternoon, skies are mainly sunny
with some high clouds over portions of the area. Currently,
temperatures are ranging mainly in the 80s. Winds are south-
southwesterly around 10-20 mph with some higher gusts.

For the afternoon and evening hours, the main weather focus will be
the development of thunderstorms over eastern colorado. The latest
HRRR/NAM Nest are showing an initiation time around 23z this
afternoon, then transitioning into KS/NE by 00z-02z. Currently, SPC
analysis is showing SBCape around 3000-4000j/kg, DCape around
1500j/kg and MUCape around 4000j/kg. Dewpts around ranging in the
mid 50s to lower 60s and PWATs are ranging from 0.80-1.00" from west
to east. Overall the atmosphere is primed should convection get
started over Colorado. A weak shortwave over topping the 500mb ridge
in place will help to carry storms east into the evening hours.

SPC has upgraded much of the cwa into the Slight/Enhanced categories
for today/tonight, and with parameters currently, with the potential
quick movement of a line if it forms, wind gusts will be main wx
threat, followed by hail. A heavy rain threat does exist and will be
impactful if these storms are slower, especially in areas already
impacted by recent rains(Highway 36 and northward). CAMS guidance is
clearing most of the cwa from the convection late, in the 08z-09z
Wed timeframe.

Going into Wednesday, SPC continues a slight risk for now for severe
storm potential, with close to the same timeframe as today stands.
Thursday from SPC a General thunder risk is in place, but could
change in later updates. Despite the wind/hail threats each of the
next 3 days, WPC does carry the cwa under a Marginal risk for
excessive rainfall. With PWATs still around the 1.00" mark each day,
the threat for localized flooding remains over the next 72 hours.

Until the track of this convection shifts a bit more to the south in
the cwa, areas along and north of Highway 36 will continue to be
most prone to flash flooding. This continues to be evident in the
latest Crest/SAC-SMA soil moisture products, especially in Nebraska.
FFG for the 1, 3 and 6hr timeframes for today range in the 1.50-
2.50" range which could be easily exceeded if storms are slow movers
later.

For temps, the region is expecting to see another round of 80s for
highs on Wednesday, with slightly warmer conditions along/east of
Highway 25. Going into Thursday, slightly cooler conditions expected
with a range in the 70s, warmest areas again will be in the eastern
cwa. For overnight lows, mainly 50s for most locales each night,
with a few spots along and east of Highway 83 for tonight and
Wednesday night.

.LONG TERM...(Friday through Tuesday)
Issued at 203 PM MDT Tue May 30 2023

For this long-term forecast discussion, unsettled weather looks to
continue through the end of the week and into next week. The story
remains about the same...a general lack of a significant pattern
supportive of a definitive forecast, yet still just enough environment
and forcing to produce persistent rain and thunderstorm chances. Also,
it appears as though a continuation of near to below normal
temperatures should be expected as there should be a lack of any
substantial warming trend or an upper level pattern conducive to a
change to above normal warmth.

Throughout the long-term forecast, the most substantial upper level
disturbance to move across the area arrives on Friday. However, the
upper level jet structure can still be characterized as a split jet,
with the subtropical jet remaining well to the south, over Mexico and
Texas, and the polar jet well to the north over Canada. This will leave
us with weak winds aloft, and therefore keeping shear to a relative
minimum from what is usually expected with a shortwave trough this time
of year. A dryline looks to take shape over eastern Colorado, providing
a surface forcing mechanism for storms to form. The environment looks
fairly good in terms of instability and moisture with SBCape projected
to be in the 2000-3000 j/kg range, lapse rates of 6-8 C/km, and
precipitable water readings approaching 1 inch to 1.15 inches. Overall,
this setup would be favorable for a few severe thunderstorms to occur
once again. A little uncertain on what severe weather threat would be
the most dominant, but the lack of overall wind shear likely means the
tornado threat should be at a minimum. With light winds aloft, also
known as steering flow, remaining weak, anticipate slow storm movement
and therefore the opportunity for heavy rain producing storms to stall
out and produce more flash flooding across locations that have been
doused many times over the past two weeks and will get doused again
this week.

For the weekend and into the next week, the upper level pattern becomes
even more unclear. Without a significant shortwave to latch on to and
provide us a better glimpse at the storm potential, it is difficult to
accurately discern the best timing for storms as well as how widespread
storms will be and their associated threats. The main message will be
that chances for storms continue, some of which could be severe given
the time of year and instability available. However, would not
anticipate a major severe weather event given the overall upper level
pattern. The flash flooding threat will persist, especially with
steering flow of the winds remaining quite light which will allow for
the opportunity for storms to remain over drenched areas for long
enough to produce potentially significant impacts.&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Wednesday afternoon)
Issued at 1108 AM MDT Tue May 30 2023

For both terminals, VFR conditions are expected through the
forecast period at this time. There will be chances for
thunderstorms from 23z to almost 04z-06z Wed that could impact
either site. For now, only VCTS mentioned until storms form up.

Winds for KGLD, south-southeast 10-15kts. Gusts to 30kts possible
through about 04z Wednesday. Winds for KMCK, mainly south-
southeast around 10-20kts. There could be some light/variable
conditions through about 20z Tue, and again 06z-14z Wed.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Wednesday evening)
Issued at 519 PM MDT Tue May 30 2023

VFR to MVFR conditions forecast for the TAFs. Main impact will be
the storm activity over the next few hours. Currently thinking the
storm activity now will turn into a line in the next hour or so
then head east. As storms move through the moderate, to possibly
heavy rainfall, will reduce visibility down to MVFR conditions. In
addition there may be strong, variable winds with the storms.
Placed a tempo group in for the most likely timeframe that storms
would move over either site.

&&

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

SHORT TERM...JN
LONG TERM...RRH
AVIATION...JTL
Hazardous weather outlook, May 30, 5:08 PM CDT, 2 hours 37 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Goodland KS
408 PM MDT Tue May 30 2023

COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-312215-
Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Rawlins-Decatur-Norton-Sherman-Thomas-
Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock-
Red Willow-
408 PM MDT Tue May 30 2023 /508 PM CDT Tue May 30 2023/

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

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT...

For those areas not seeing a lot of rain over the past week, there
could be the potential for blowing dust as storms move through the
area this evening. The most prone region will be south of the
Interstate. Visibility could be briefly reduced, impacting travel.

There is a severe thunderstorm watch in effect for the entire Tri-
State Area thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Possible storm
hazards include strong damaging wind gusts up to 80 mph, large hail
up to ping pong balls in size, and the continued risk for flooding
from heavy rainfall. Please be weather aware today!

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH TUESDAY...

There is a marginal to slight risk for severe weather within the
region on Wednesday. Possible hazards include strong winds and large
hail as well as the continued risk for flooding from heavy rainfall.
Please watch for future forecast updates.

Chances for showers and thunderstorms look to continue throughout
this week and into the weekend. Although severe weather cannot be
ruled out, the primary concerns at this time continue to be locally
heavy rainfall and the possibility of flooding and flash flooding.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will be needed this afternoon and evening.

JTL

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 30, 6:54 PM CDT, 51 minutes before
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Local storm report, May 30, 6:57 PM CDT, 48 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 30, 7:19 PM CDT, 26 minutes before
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Local storm report, May 30, 7:26 PM CDT, 19 minutes before
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Local storm report, May 30, 7:29 PM CDT, 16 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 30, 7:31 PM CDT, 14 minutes before
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The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 30, 7:19 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGLDWallace26 min
May 30, 8:31 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningGLDGraham, Sheridan7 hr
May 30, 8:42 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningGLDSherman, Wallace7 hr
May 30, 8:52 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningGLDLogan, Sherman, Thomas7 hr
May 30, 9:00 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningGLDDecatur, Rawlins, Sheridan, Thomas3 hr
May 30, 9:06 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningGLDGove7 hr
May 30, 9:32 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGLDDecatur, Rawlins43 min
May 31, 5:15 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGLDGreeley15 min
May 31, 5:56 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGLDGreeley34 min
May 31, 6:32 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGLDGreeley, Wallace, Wichita28 min
May 30, 7:31 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGLDKit Carson29 min
May 30, 7:51 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDYuma54 min
May 30, 7:52 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDKit Carson23 min
May 30, 8:20 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGLDKit Carson25 min
May 30, 8:45 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGLDPhillips15 min
May 31, 4:49 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGLDCheyenne26 min
May 31, 5:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDCheyenne, Kit Carson30 min
May 31, 5:44 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGLDKit Carson31 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.