Alert archive / Kansas / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 202, NWS Dodge City, KS

July 2, 20264 counties in Kansas

NWS Dodge City, KS issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 2, 2026, 7:27 PM CDT for 4 counties in Kansas. It was in force for 48 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Jul 2, 2026, 7:27 PM CDT (00:27 UTC)
Expired
Jul 2, 2026, 8:15 PM CDT
In force
48 min
Issued by
NWS Dodge City, KS
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Hail
1.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Grant County, KS, Morton County, KS, Stanton County, KS, Stevens County, KS

The radar

The Dodge City radar (KDDC), 155 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:30 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

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 watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jul 2, 5:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Dodge City, (KDDC), launched 00:00Z, 0.5 hours before the alert went out and 162 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 2026-07-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1692 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 2026-07-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 38 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
1692 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-29 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1966 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
31 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
38 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
219 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
6.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

046 
WUUS53 KDDC 030027
SVRDDC
KSC067-129-187-189-030115-
/O.NEW.KDDC.SV.W.0202.260703T0027Z-260703T0115Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
727 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

The National Weather Service in Dodge City has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northeastern Morton County in southwestern Kansas...
  Southwestern Grant County in southwestern Kansas...
  Northwestern Stevens County in southwestern Kansas...
  Southeastern Stanton County in southwestern Kansas...

* Until 815 PM CDT.

* At 727 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 11 miles southwest
  of Big Bow, moving east at 10 mph.

  HAZARD...Golf ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail 
           damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect 
           wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
  northeastern Morton, southwestern Grant, northwestern Stevens and
  southeastern Stanton Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 3738 10183 3757 10174 3758 10143 3725 10144
      3731 10179
TIME...MOT...LOC 0027Z 281DEG 8KT 3742 10166 

THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

SPRINGER
1 follow-up statement
517 
WWUS53 KDDC 030103
SVSDDC

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
803 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

KSC067-129-187-189-030115-
/O.CON.KDDC.SV.W.0202.000000T0000Z-260703T0115Z/
Morton KS-Grant KS-Stevens KS-Stanton KS-
803 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 815 PM CDT
FOR NORTHEASTERN MORTON...SOUTHWESTERN GRANT...NORTHWESTERN STEVENS
AND SOUTHEASTERN STANTON COUNTIES...

At 803 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 10 miles south of
Big Bow, moving east at 10 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to 
         roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
Big Bow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 3738 10183 3757 10174 3758 10143 3731 10147
TIME...MOT...LOC 0103Z 281DEG 8KT 3740 10156 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

SPRINGER

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 Dodge City, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jul 2, 5:09 PM CDT, 2 hours 18 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Scattered thunderstorms favoring western zones, west of US Highway 283, Thursday evening. Strong to severe outflow winds are again the primary threat.
  • Friday and Independence Day will feature hot afternoons, with high temperatures in the upper 90s to near 100 degrees.
  • Scattered thunderstorms are expected Saturday evening and Saturday night, some of which may impact Fourth of July fireworks displays. Marginally severe wind and hail are possible.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 2, 5:09 PM CDT, 2 hours 18 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
509 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered thunderstorms favoring western zones, west of US
  Highway 283, Thursday evening. Strong to severe outflow winds
  are again the primary threat.

- Friday and Independence Day will feature hot afternoons, with
  high temperatures in the upper 90s to near 100 degrees.

- Scattered thunderstorms are expected Saturday evening and
  Saturday night, some of which may impact Fourth of July
  fireworks displays. Marginally severe wind and hail are
  possible.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1200 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

Midday infrared satellite imagery depicted the persistent
moisture plume across central Kansas, with midlevel clouds
persisting over the eastern zones. Mesoanalysis showed
instability quickly growing across western zones, already near
3000 J/kg, where strong insolation was working on a moist
boundary layer. As lee cyclogenesis strengthens to near 998 mb
near Denver this afternoon, south to southeast winds will
increase this afternoon/evening, gusting as high as 40 mph.

With a very strong midlevel anticyclone stationary over the
eastern U.S., the repetitive convective pattern we have seen the
past 2 days, will repeat again this evening. 12z ARW/NAM/RRFS
are in good agreement suggesting thunderstorms developing again
west of US 83 to near the Colorado border 4-7 pm. It is during
this late afternoon period in which temporary supercell
structures may produce hail 1-2 inches in diameter west of
US 83. Bulk shear is not expected to be strong enough to
maintain supercells for long, with upscale growth into another
complex through this evening. Latest iterations of the HRRR show
damaging wind potential into the north central counties after
7 pm. After coordination with SPC, severe wind probability was
increased to 15%/slight risk on the 1630z outlook. Pops were
also increased significantly into the likely category for
western and central zones. Strong instability and a hot deeply
mixed boundary layer will support wind gusts of 60-70 mph from
the strongest linear segments into this evening, with this risk
highest northwest of Dodge City once again.

Stagnant upper air pattern over North America begins changing
Friday, as the upper high over the east weakens, and a new upper
high takes over near New Mexico. Friday will be plenty hot,
easily into the upper 90s, with elevated/strong south winds yet
again. Most of Friday will be dry for most, but GFS and a few
CAMs do suggest thunderstorm initiation focusing on the
northeast/east zones this time. Uncertainty in this summer
pattern forces pops to be rather low.

Independence Day will be hot as a firecracker, with afternoon
temperatures of 95-100 common, as shown by NBM. GFS/MEX appears
1-3 degrees too hot, given moist soils and healthy vegetation
greenup. Most of the holiday will be dry, but there is a
stronger convective signal for Saturday evening, that may impact
fireworks displays. A weak frontal boundary will sag south
across Kansas Saturday, as a shortwave arrives on the northeast
periphery of the new upper high over New Mexico. Current
thinking is this will focus scattered thunderstorms over the
northeast zones, northeast of Dodge City, Saturday evening.
Effective shear and instability will support storm organization,
especially with the composite boundary nearby, per SPC Day 3.

Temperatures should be trimmed several degrees Sunday behind the
weak frontal boundary. A nondescript pattern typical of summer
is expected Monday through Wednesday, with typical afternoon
heat in the 90s. Global models show 500 mb heights not becoming
excessive, near 590 dm, so triple digit heat should be limited,
and heat advisories appear unlikely east. Models do show
southeast winds maintaining moisture through early next week,
keeping at least isolated thunderstorms possible at peak heating
each day.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 507 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

VFR flight category for all terminals during the time period. A
line of storms will move out of southeast Colorado into western
Kansas this evening and could lead to VCTS for GCK airport
between 00-03Z and HYS at 02-04Z. Main threat could be downburst
winds of 50 kts or greater. Storms should end around 04Z. Winds
will stay breezy through the time period with 15-20 kt sustained
and 25 kt gusts.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...Turner
AVIATION...Tatro

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 2, 7:22 PM CDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
722 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

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

0613 PM     Hail             Manter                  37.52N 101.89W
07/02/2026  E1.00 Inch       Stanton            KS   Public

            Social report of quarter-size hail in
            Manter.

&&
Local storm report, Jul 2, 7:27 PM CDT, 0 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
727 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

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

0722 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 SSW Garden City       37.96N 100.87W
07/02/2026  M64 MPH          Finney             KS   Broadcast Media

            Garden City Co-Op station measured.

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 2, 7:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCFinney, Gray41 min
Jul 2, 7:32 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningDDCGrant, Stanton2 hr
Jul 2, 7:58 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCFinney, Gray47 min
Jul 2, 8:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCGrant, Morton, Stanton, Stevens33 min
Jul 2, 8:46 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCGray, Hodgeman44 min
Jul 2, 9:02 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCStanton43 min
Jul 2, 9:40 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCGray50 min
Jul 2, 9:52 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningDDCGrant, Stanton4 hr
Jul 2, 11:46 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCEllis, Rush44 min
Jul 3, 3:03 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCStevens42 min
Jul 3, 3:20 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCMorton25 min
Jul 3, 3:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCMorton, Stevens50 min
Jul 3, 3:47 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCStevens28 min
Jul 3, 4:16 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCStevens44 min
Jul 3, 4:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatDDCMorton, Stevens52 min
Jul 3, 5:01 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCSeward44 min
Jul 3, 5:02 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCStevens43 min
Jul 3, 5:06 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCStevens24 min
Jul 3, 5:32 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCStevens43 min
Jul 3, 5:46 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCSeward44 min
Jul 3, 6:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCEllis, Trego49 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Kansas, 2026Every severe thunderstorm 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.