Alert archive / Kansas / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2025
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 52, NWS Goodland, KS
NWS Goodland, KS issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 18, 2025, 7:55 PM CDT for Cheyenne County, Rawlins County, Kansas; Dundy County, Hitchcock County, Nebraska. It was in force for 35 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 18, 2025, 7:55 PM CDT (00:55 UTC)
- Expired
- May 18, 2025, 8:30 PM CDT
- In force
- 35 min
- Issued by
- NWS Goodland, KS
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Possible
- Hail
- 1.25 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Cheyenne County, KS, Rawlins County, KS, Dundy County, NE, Hitchcock County, NE
The radar
The Goodland radar (KGLD), 73 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:56 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 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, 2:57 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Dodge City, (KDDC), launched 00:00Z, 0.9 hours before the alert went out and 277 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 2754 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -64 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 616 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 74 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 599 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 675 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 11.3
- Supercell composite
- 45.1
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, 6:49 PM CDT, 1 hour 6 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Severe storms are forecast for this afternoon and evening, mainly between 3-8 PM MDT. While the majority of the area has a chance for severe storms, locales along and north of Interstate 70 are favored. Very large hail, damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes are possible.
- Strong SW winds will develop behind a northward advancing dryline this afternoon, mainly along and south of I-70 where sustained winds at 30-40 mph may gust up to 55 mph for several hours prior to sunset.
- A few severe storms are possible east of Highway 83 Monday afternoon/evening. Severe weather potential may largely be confined to central and eastern Kansas.
Area forecast discussion, May 18, 6:49 PM CDT, 1 hour 6 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Goodland KS
549 PM MDT Sun May 18 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Severe storms are forecast for this afternoon and evening,
mainly between 3-8 PM MDT. While the majority of the area has
a chance for severe storms, locales along and north of
Interstate 70 are favored. Very large hail, damaging wind
gusts and a few tornadoes are possible.
- Strong SW winds will develop behind a northward advancing
dryline this afternoon, mainly along and south of I-70 where
sustained winds at 30-40 mph may gust up to 55 mph for several
hours prior to sunset.
- A few severe storms are possible east of Highway 83 Monday
afternoon/evening. Severe weather potential may largely be
confined to central and eastern Kansas.
&&
.UPDATE...
Issued at 406 PM MDT Sun May 18 2025
Quick update to increase pops and add some blowing dust to the
plains based on recent radar and observation trends. Followed a
blend to the NAMNest in the short term with more coverage of
pops north of I-70. -KT
&&
.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Issued at 1155 AM MDT Sun May 18 2025
Shortwave energy rounding the eastern periphery of the western
CONUS trough will lift NNE-NE from the 4-Corners to northeast CO
will foster the development of a modest lee cyclone over
eastern Colorado and extreme western Kansas this afternoon.
Southerly flow on the eastern periphery of the upper trough (in
the lee of the central-southern Rockies) and deep vertical
mixing will assist the northward advancement of a pronounced
dryline this afternoon. By 00Z, guidance suggests that the NW-
SE oriented dryline will be situated along/near a line extending
southeastward from Yuma to Goodland and Scott City.
Environmental conditions are quite favorable for robust severe
weather, especially with southern and eastern extent into
central KS.. where rich low-level moisture beneath a pronounced
elevated mixed layer (700-500 mb lapse rates ~9 C/km) will
foster strong instability (3000-4000 J/kg mlcape). Current and
recent convection allowing guidance indicate two potential areas
of development along the dryline this afternoon: [1]
along/north of I-70 over portions of Yuma-Cheyenne-Sherman
counties ~21-22Z and [2] south of I-70 and along/east of Highway
83 (Gove County) ~22-23Z. Given that right-mover motion will be
from the SSW-SW (200-220 degrees) at ~30 knots, the 'window of
opportunity' for severe weather in the NWS Goodland county
warning area will be fairly short in duration (~4 hours), mainly
between ~21-02Z. Discrete supercells are likely to be the
primary mode. All severe hazards are on the table. Additional
development will occur the Goodland county warning area after
convection exits (~03-04Z this evening).. Strong southwest winds
and profoundly dry conditions are expected behind the dryline
(along/south of I-70), where forecast soundings indicate 35-45
knot flow throughout a very deep mixed layer.. and sustained
winds at 30-40 mph may gust up to 55 mph for several hours prior
to sunset.
Mon-Mon night: The western CONUS trough will evolve into a
broad (albeit complex) upper level low that slowly progresses
east across the Central/Northern Plains in this period. Guidance
suggests that shortwave energy lifting NNE into western Nebraska
(tonight) will evolve into cut-off, vertically stacked low over
South Dakota on Mon. In the lower levels.. a surface trough will
extend southward through central Nebraska and Kansas. While
scattered showers/storms are possible during the afternoon,
current indications are that.. severe weather potential will
likely be relegated to central-eastern KS (east of Hwy 283).
&&
.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1218 PM MDT Sun May 18 2025
For the extended period starting Tuesday a surface low remains
in place around the South Dakota/Minnesota/Nebraska/Iowa state
lines as breezy to gusty NW winds are forecast to continue
across the area in response to this low. Wind gusts of 45-55 mph
are currently forecast with sustained winds around 25-35 mph as
30 knot 850mb jet remain in place during the afternoon and a
45-50 knot 700mb jet remains in place, assuming if some mixing
can occur then would not be surprised if a rogue 60 mph gust
occurs if these trends hold. At this time Tuesday is forecast to
remain dry but if the low sets up a little further west then
some vorticity maxima may lead to some spotty showers through
the afternoon as well.
Wednesday morning as this low moves it a cold front and
associated surface high is forecast to move into the area which
is forecast to drop Wednesday morning lows into the 30s. An
associated surface high also moves into the area with the front
which is forecast to bring a period of lighter winds before they
shift to the west. If this shift to the west is slower to occur
then temperatures may drop even further which may bring some
frost or maybe freeze concerns to portions of the area which
would be impactful given we are well past our climatological
last freeze date. Luckily this surface high is forecast to be
short lived as a lee trough ahead of western CONUS ridging
develops and pushes this out of the area. Some guidance does
indicate a weak wave moving through with this activity which may
try to spark some storms during the evening hours so will need
to keep an eye on this.
Thursday and through the remainder of the extended period weak
mid level ridging is forecast to take place across the Inter
Mountain west which if current placement holds puts the region
on the eastern periphery of this feature. Typically in these
patterns weak waves that are not handled well by long range
deterministic guidance moves through the area; what makes this
interesting is that there are already some signals are some
embedded waves which makes me think that another active pattern
may emerge late week and next weekend. With this still being 5-7
days out a lot can and will change but it does appear that
additional potential for severe weather may return again for
portions of the area.
As for temperatures for the extended period. Tuesday is
forecast to start out fairly cool with high sin the mid 60s to
low 70s across the area before warming back into the upper 70s
my Wednesday and into the mid 80s again Friday especially as
that ridge begins to make itself known. For low temperatures as
mentioned above, some concern for frost and maybe freeze to
start the period before a recover to more seasonable lows in the
upper 50s and mid 50s by the latter portion of the week.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 544 PM MDT Sun May 18 2025
Stronger storms have cleared to the east of KGLD, though some
weaker showers and thunderstorms will be possible through 02z.
Meanwhile, thunderstorms will spread into MCK around 01z with a
better chance of strong to severe thunderstorms with gusts to
around 50 kts or greater, hail and vis restrictions due to heavy
rainfall. Cigs at MCK will drop back into MVFR category with the
passage of thunderstorms and remain that way overnight. Winds
will shift around from the northwest to north at both terminals
Monday morning with gusts to around 25-30 kts. This will break
cigs at KMCK with VFR conditions returning. North winds will
continue around 25 kts through the afternoon at both terminals
with variable VFR cloudiness through the afternoon. -KT
&&
.GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KS...Blowing Dust Advisory until 7 PM MDT /8 PM CDT/ this evening
for KSZ013-014-027-028-041-042.
CO...Blowing Dust Advisory until 7 PM MDT this evening for COZ091-
092.
NE...None.
&&
UPDATE...99
SHORT TERM...KAK
LONG TERM...Vincent
AVIATION...99Hazardous weather outlook, May 18, 5:40 PM CDT, 2 hours 15 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Goodland KS 440 PM MDT Sun May 18 2025 COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-192245- Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Rawlins-Decatur-Norton-Sherman-Thomas- Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock- Red Willow- 440 PM MDT Sun May 18 2025 /540 PM CDT Sun May 18 2025/ This hazardous weather outlook is for extreme southwest Nebraska... northwest Kansas and east central Colorado. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT... Severe storms are forecast for this afternoon and evening, mainly between 3 PM and 8 PM MDT. While the majority of the area has a chance for severe storms, locales along and north of Interstate 70 are favored. Very large hail, damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes are possible. Please keep a close eye on the weather through this evening and promptly take shelter if severe weather threatens. Strong southwest winds will develop behind the dryline this afternoon, mainly along and south of Interstate 70 where sustained winds at 30 to 40 mph may gust up to 55 mph. Wind of this magnitude may create difficult travel conditions, especially for high profile vehicles. Localized reductions in visibility associated with blowing dust are possible. Strong winds and exceptionally dry conditions will also foster a very high grassland fire danger. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SUNDAY... A few severe storms are possible Monday afternoon and evening, mainly east of Highway 83. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Reports of severe weather are appreciated today!
In the hours before
Local storm report, May 18, 7:23 PM CDT, 32 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
623 PM MDT Sun May 18 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0415 PM Tornado 10 WSW Saint Francis 39.70N 101.96W
05/18/2025 Cheyenne KS Emergency Mngr
EM relayed damage to a building on Road J
near road 6 & 7.
&&
KAKLocal storm report, May 18, 7:36 PM CDT, 19 minutes before
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</html>Local storm report, May 18, 7:47 PM CDT, 8 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
647 PM MDT Sun May 18 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0559 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 WSW Stratton 40.14N 101.25W
05/18/2025 Hitchcock NE Storm Chaser
weak tornado crossed Hwy 34 roughly here;
downed power lines and tipped over pivots.
&&
JTLLocal storm report, May 18, 7:50 PM CDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
650 PM MDT Sun May 18 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0600 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NE Max 40.12N 101.38W
05/18/2025 Dundy NE Storm Chaser
sheet metal in ditch, power poles down,.
&&
JTLThe office that day
Everything else NWS Goodland, KS issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 18, 7:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Cheyenne | 50 min |
| May 18, 7:10 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GLD | Sheridan | 20 min |
| May 18, 7:15 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GLD | Gove, Sheridan | 15 min |
| May 18, 7:26 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GLD | Cheyenne | 34 min |
| May 18, 7:34 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GLD | Cheyenne | 26 min |
| May 18, 7:35 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Decatur, Graham, Norton, Sheridan | 40 min |
| May 18, 7:47 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Graham | 25 min |
| May 18, 8:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Graham, Norton | 62 min |
| May 18, 8:27 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Cheyenne, Rawlins | 78 min |
| May 19, 3:39 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | GLD | Wallace | 21 min |
| May 19, 3:46 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | GLD | Wallace | 14 min |
| May 19, 3:54 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Greeley, Logan, Wallace, Wichita | 36 min |
| May 19, 4:25 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Logan, Wichita | 50 min |
| May 19, 5:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Logan, Wichita | 22 min |
| May 19, 6:01 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | GLD | Gove | 14 min |
| May 19, 6:07 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | GLD | Gove | 23 min |
| May 19, 6:14 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | GLD | Gove | 31 min |
| May 19, 6:40 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | GLD | Gove | 20 min |
| May 19, 4:47 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Cheyenne | 27 min |
| May 18, 7:12 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GLD | Hitchcock | 13 min |
| May 18, 7:14 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Dundy, Hitchcock | 31 min |
| May 18, 7:45 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Hitchcock | 15 min |
| May 18, 8:57 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GLD | Hitchcock | 18 min |
| May 18, 9:22 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Hitchcock, Red Willow | 67 min |
| May 18, 10:46 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | GLD | Red Willow | 29 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Kansas, 2025Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Nebraska, 2025Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2025
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.