Alert archive / Kansas / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 18, NWS Dodge City, KS

July 3, 2026Ellis County, Trego County, Kansas

NWS Dodge City, KS issued this flash flood warning at Jul 3, 2026, 8:24 PM CDT for Ellis County, Trego County, Kansas. It was in force for 102 min. 1 report 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
Jul 3, 2026, 8:24 PM CDT (01:24 UTC)
Expired
Jul 3, 2026, 10:06 PM CDT
In force
102 min
Issued by
NWS Dodge City, KS
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Ellis County, KS, Trego County, KS

The radar

The Dodge City radar (KDDC), 150 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:29 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 3, 8:30 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 N Wakeeney, KSSocial media report of flooded roadways in WaKeeney.

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 flash flood 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 nearest sounding before it

Dodge City, (KDDC), launched 00:00Z, 1.4 hours before the alert went out and 148 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, Dodge City, at 00:00Z on 2026-07-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2010 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, Dodge City, at 00:00Z on 2026-07-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 29 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
2010 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-165 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2313 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
33 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
29 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
221 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
2.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

542 
WGUS53 KDDC 040124
FFWDDC
KSC051-195-040430-
/O.NEW.KDDC.FF.W.0018.260704T0124Z-260704T0430Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
824 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

The National Weather Service in Dodge City has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northwestern Ellis County in central Kansas...
  Northern Trego County in west central Kansas...

* Until 1130 PM CDT.

* At 824 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 3 inches of rain 
  have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are 
  possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected 
  to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
           areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
           other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Wakeeney, Ogallah and Voda.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 3913 10002 3913 10000 3913 9993 3913 9989
      3913 9979 3913 9961 3913 9960 3913 9959
      3913 9952 3913 9946 3913 9943 3913 9939
      3901 9940 3896 9963 3898 9991 3903 10005
      3909 10008 3913 10004

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

BENNETT
1 follow-up statement
522 
WGUS73 KDDC 040306
FFSDDC

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
1006 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

KSC051-195-040316-
/O.CAN.KDDC.FF.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260704T0430Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Ellis KS-Trego KS-
1006 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR NORTHWESTERN ELLIS AND 
NORTHERN TREGO COUNTIES...

The heavy rain has ended. However, flooding of roadways is still 
possible given earlier heavy rainfall. A Flood Warning is now in 
effect until 130 AM CDT. Please continue to heed remaining road 
closures.

&&

LAT...LON 3913 10002 3913 10000 3913 9993 3913 9989
      3913 9979 3913 9961 3913 9960 3913 9959
      3913 9952 3913 9946 3913 9943 3913 9939
      3901 9940 3896 9963 3898 9991 3903 10005
      3909 10008 3913 10004

$$

BENNETT

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 Dodge City, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 3, 6:43 PM CDT, 1 hour 41 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • More scattered thunderstorms Friday evening; some may be severe with large hail and damaging winds.
  • Most of Independence Day will be dry. Scattered thunderstorms are expected Saturday night, favoring areas northeast of Dodge City. Some storms may be severe and impact outdoor holiday activities and fireworks displays.
  • About 5 degrees less hot Sunday behind a weak cold front.
  • Typical summer weather early next week; typical afternoon heat in the 90s, with isolated thunderstorms at peak heating each day.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 3, 6:43 PM CDT, 1 hour 41 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
643 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- More scattered thunderstorms Friday evening; some may be
  severe with large hail and damaging winds.

- Most of Independence Day will be dry. Scattered thunderstorms
  are expected Saturday night, favoring areas northeast of Dodge
  City. Some storms may be severe and impact outdoor holiday
  activities and fireworks displays.

- About 5 degrees less hot Sunday behind a weak cold front.

- Typical summer weather early next week; typical afternoon heat
  in the 90s, with isolated thunderstorms at peak heating each
  day.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1200 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

Midday satellite/radar imagery indicated the remnants of the
Nebraska morning mesoscale convective system across NE Kansas.
This complex has pushed an outflow boundary southward into
SW KS, evident on radar/satellite/surface observations. Gravity
waves were also propagating south, clearly evident on radar and
satellite imagery. Midday mesoanalysis outlined strong
instability building rapidly across southwest zones, with MLCAPE
already reaching 3000 J/kg at midday. 12z NAM/ARW, both of which
performed exceptionally well with convective placement Thursday,
both show convective initiation favoring the southwest zones
(southwest of DDC) after 4 pm, progressing eastward into the
central counties through early evening. Just like yesterday,
primary risk will be strong/damaging outflow winds of
60-70 mph from linear segments in a well mixed boundary layer.
Before that happens, there may be a 1-2 hour window of
supercell structures with related 1-2 inch diameter hail
potential, particularly with the remnant outflow boundary
settling over the region, enhancing storm relative helicity at
least locally. SPC continues with 5% marginal wind/hail
probability, but an upgrade to slight risk may become necessary
for the central/southwest zones should the ARW/NAM verify
again. Just like yesterday, storms are expected to dissipate
rapidly around sunset.

Most of Independence Day will feature quiet, typical summer
weather with hot afternoon temperatures well into the 90s to
near 100. Barber County will be near heat advisory criteria
(105) for the peak heating hours, but after coordinating with
WFOs Wichita/Norman, will punt this possible issuance to
tonight's shift. Regardless, the heat will be an impact Saturday
given the outdoor holiday activities. Notably, much less wind is
forecast Saturday, which will decrease evaporative cooling for
those outdoors. Remember the importance of water hydration, even
if you are not thirsty.

A stronger convective signal remains apparent Saturday evening,
after 7 pm, as a shortwave rounds the northeast periphery of the
strengthening upper high over New Mexico. Model guidance has
shown some consistency favoring the northeast zones, northeast
of Dodge City, for most of this activity. A weak composite
outflow/cold front boundary sagging southward will contribute
upslope easterly components, increasing moisture and shear
availability, favoring storm organization. At least marginally
severe wind/hail is probable from any storms Saturday night,
and very importantly, given the outdoor activity impacts,
dangerous cloud to ground lightning will be common.
Thunderstorms are expected to impact at least some of the
fireworks displays across Kansas Saturday night; have several
ways to receive warnings, and seek shelter indoors if storms
approach. NBM pop grids continue to favor the northeast/east
zones Saturday night.

Although it will hardly be noticeable, models remain consistent
showing about 5 degrees of cooling on Sunday behind the weak
boundary passage. Light northeast winds Sunday will trim
afternoon temperatures back to within a few degrees of 90, but
humidity will remain uncomfortably high.

Quiet weather typical of summer is expected early next week,
with a slow warming trend upward through the 90s. With the
subtropical upper high relocated to the SW US by then, will
eventually have to monitor for storms arriving from the Rockies,
especially at night, in the new NWly flow aloft. This synoptic
setup appears favored Wednesday and Thursday, and NBM pops
correctly reflect this change in pattern by midweek.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 639 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

Outside of a few thunderstorms departing Liberal, and some
activity developing across north-central Kansas, VFR conditions
are expected through the TAF period. Winds will be generally
variable across the area given a weak low pressure across
southwest Kansas. Thunderstorms will be possible Saturday late
afternoon again, but uncertain is large on exact placement given
low confidence on initiating boundary placement, as that will be
dependent on storms overnight. Storms may need to be added to
TAFs in later updates, but have left them out given the low
confidence for now.

&&

.DDC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

DISCUSSION...Turner
AVIATION...Bennett

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 3, 5:02 PM CDT, 3 hours 22 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
502 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

KSZ085-032245-
Stevens KS-
502 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL STEVENS COUNTY
THROUGH 545 PM CDT...

At 502 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Hugoton, moving east at 15 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 hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Woods.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3710 10129 3722 10130 3728 10107 3708 10107
TIME...MOT...LOC 2202Z 266DEG 11KT 3715 10127

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

TATRO
Special weather statement, Jul 3, 5:06 PM CDT, 3 hours 18 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
506 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

KSZ084-085-032230-
Stevens KS-Morton KS-
506 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN MORTON AND
SOUTHWESTERN STEVENS COUNTIES THROUGH 530 PM CDT...

At 506 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles southeast of Rolla, moving east at 15 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 hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern Morton
and southwestern Stevens Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3708 10160 3713 10141 3700 10140 3700 10161
TIME...MOT...LOC 2206Z 266DEG 11KT 3702 10154

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

TATRO
Special weather statement, Jul 3, 5:32 PM CDT, 2 hours 52 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
532 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

KSZ085-032315-
Stevens KS-
532 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN STEVENS COUNTY THROUGH
615 PM CDT...

At 532 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles south of Feterita, moving east at 5 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 hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southern Stevens
County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3700 10155 3709 10156 3711 10112 3700 10112
TIME...MOT...LOC 2232Z 262DEG 6KT 3702 10148

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

TATRO
Special weather statement, Jul 3, 5:46 PM CDT, 2 hours 38 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
546 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

KSZ086-087-032330-
Seward KS-Meade KS-
546 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN SEWARD AND
SOUTHWESTERN MEADE COUNTIES THROUGH 630 PM CDT...

At 546 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Hayne, moving east at 10 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 hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern Seward
and southwestern Meade Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3708 10088 3712 10052 3700 10056 3700 10086
TIME...MOT...LOC 2246Z 257DEG 9KT 3702 10077

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

TATRO
Local storm report, Jul 3, 7:25 PM CDT, 59 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
725 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

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

0724 PM     Hail             10 NNE Ogallah          39.11N 99.64W
07/03/2026  E1.25 Inch       Trego              KS   Public

&&
Local storm report, Jul 3, 7:56 PM CDT, 28 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
756 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

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

0756 PM     Hail             8 NNW Ogallah           39.10N 99.77W
07/03/2026  E1.00 Inch       Trego              KS   Public

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 3, 7:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatDDCEllis, Trego39 min
Jul 3, 8:05 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatDDCTrego40 min
Jul 3, 8:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatDDCTrego51 min
Jul 3, 10:01 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningDDCEllis, Trego3 hr
Jul 4, 1:17 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCNess, Trego43 min
Jul 4, 4:35 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCLane40 min
Jul 4, 5:31 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCNess29 min
Jul 4, 5:53 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCFord, Hodgeman, Rush37 min
Jul 4, 7:24 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCStafford36 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Kansas, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

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.