Red Flag Warning 27, NWS Dodge City, KS

910 
WWUS83 KDDC 261700
RFWDDC

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
1200 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026


KSZ074-075-084-085-270200-
/O.CON.KDDC.FW.W.0027.000000T0000Z-260427T0200Z/
Stanton-Grant-Morton-Stevens-
1200 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING
FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FAR SOUTHWEST KANSAS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 074 Stanton, Fire Weather 
  Zone 075 Grant, Fire Weather Zone 084 Morton and Fire Weather 
  Zone 085 Stevens.

* TIMING...Until 9 PM CDT this evening.

* WINDS...Southeast 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 26 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread 
  quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

For more information from NOAA/National weather service visit...
http://weather.gov/ddc

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
1127 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A slight chance of severe storms are expected east of Highway 183
this afternoon with the best chance further east late afternoon into
this evening. Large hail and damaging winds are the main concern

- Severe storms are expected tomorrow afternoon with the best chance
across central Kansas. Large hail and damaging winds are expected
with a few tornadoes possible

- Another disturbance is expected to move through the area
  Wednesday night through Thursday. As of now these storms are
  not expected to be severe

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1231 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

A subtle shortwave will approach the area this afternoon
interacting with a cold front that is currently bisecting the
forecast area. Surface dew points will be in the 50s across
southwest Kansas, reflecting only modest low-level moisture
advection ahead of the boundary. Deep-layer shear (+30 knots)
will be sufficient to support organized convection along and
ahead of this front where moderate instability will be observed
(+1000 J/kg). Thunderstorm initiation is favored east of Highway
183 with the best chance even further east later this afternoon
before pushing into Wichita's area this evening. The primary
hazards with any developing storms will be large hail and
damaging winds, driven by steep mid-level lapse rates and
sufficient downdraft potential. Tornado risk remains negligible
due to weak low-level shear and low storm-relative helicity.
Coverage is expected to remain isolated to widely scattered.
Winds will generally be from the southeast ahead of the
aforementioned cold front with northerly winds behind this
front. Skies will become mostly clear behind this front with
partly cloud skies ahead of this front. Highs today will range
from the upper 60s north to upper 70s south. Low clouds will
increase in coverage tonight as moisture pools into the area.
There could even be a few pockets of drizzle after midnight.
Skies will be mostly cloudy with lows ranging from the low 40s
across west central Kansas to low 50s across south central
Kansas.

Tomorrow, a more vigorous upper-level shortwave will advance
 across the central Rockies and into the Central Plains,
accompanied by strengthening southwesterly flow aloft. This will
promote deeper moisture return with a warm front moving north
into the area by the afternoon. The resulting environment is
highly conducive to intense convective development, particularly
during the afternoon and evening across central Kansas. Model
guidance indicates favorable parameters for supercell
organization: MLCAPE values potentially exceeding 2000-3000
J/kg, effective bulk shear of 40-50 kt, and storm-relative
helicity supporting rotation. All severe hazards are possible,
including very large hail (2+ inches), damaging straight- line
winds (60+ mph gusts), and a conditional risk for strong
tornadoes if discrete supercells can mature. Convective
evolution remains somewhat uncertain—some guidance depicts long-
track supercells traversing the area, while others suggest more
linear or clustered modes. Regardless, the threat level
represents the highest severe-weather potential of the season
thus far for portions of southwest Kansas. As of now the highest
probability of severe storms will be across central Kansas with
lesser amounts as you head southwest. Skies will be mostly
cloudy in the morning with clearing expected in the afternoon.
Highs look to range from the mid 60s along the I-70 corridor to
low 80s across far southwestern Kansas. Dry conditions are
expected tomorrow night as the activity moves out of the area.
Lows tomorrow night are expected to range from the low 40s
across west central Kansas to low 50s across south central
Kansas.

Dry conditions are then expected during the early part of
the week with a cold front moving through the area Monday with
high pressure across the area Tuesday. Ensemble models then
suggest a system to move through the area mid week with
increased precipitation chances Wednesday night through
Thursday. As of now, no severe weather is expected with this
system. Dry conditions then return late week. As for
temperatures, highs will generally be in the 60s north to upper
70s south Monday through Wednesday with 60s on Thursday and
Friday. Lows will generally be in the upper 30s and 40s.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z MONDAY/...
Issued at 1126 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

Low cloud stratus is again expected late tonight and throughout
much of the day on Sunday. Expecting sub IFR or lower CIG
categories throughout much of the period as clouds linger
through much of the day. There is still a risk of some
thunderstorms in the area, but again, very isolated nature will
preclude me from making mention of them in the TAFs. Some
moments of drizzle and light rain will be added to HYS, where
the greatest chance for precipitation exists there. Winds will
be 10-15 knots.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...Hovorka_42
AVIATION...Bennett

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
719 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

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

0651 PM     Hail             1 ENE Pratt             37.65N 98.71W
04/25/2026  E2.00 Inch       Pratt              KS   Public

            Reported 2 inch hail near the Pratt
            Community College. Time estimated via radar.

&&

RMB

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
726 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

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

0725 PM     Hail             2 N Isabel              37.50N 98.56W
04/25/2026  E1.25 Inch       Pratt              KS   Public

            Report half-dollar sized hail near Isabel
            Wetlands Wildlife Area.

&&

RMB

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
747 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

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

0455 PM     Hail             1 S La Crosse           38.52N 99.31W
04/25/2026  E1.50 Inch       Rush               KS   Public

            Social media report of ping pong ball sized
            hail on the south side of La Crosse.

&&

RMB

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
754 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

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

0700 PM     Hail             3 ESE Pratt             37.63N 98.68W
04/25/2026  E1.25 Inch       Pratt              KS   Public

            Social media report of half-dollar sized
            hail at Pratt County Lake.

&&

RMB

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
1152 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

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

0650 PM     Hail             4 E Pratt               37.65N 98.66W
04/25/2026  M2.00 Inch       Pratt              KS   Public

            Delayed report. Report from social media
            showed up to 2 inch hail measured up with a
            ruler. Time estimated via radar.

&&

RMB

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
1209 AM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

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

0551 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 N Macksville          37.97N 98.97W
04/25/2026  M65 MPH          Stafford           KS   Public

            Delayed report. Personal Ambient Weather
            Station Nutrients_ag reported maximum wind
            gust of 65 mph.

&&

RMB