Alert archive / Kansas / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 7, NWS Dodge City, KS

April 25, 2026Rush County, Kansas

NWS Dodge City, KS issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Apr 25, 2026, 4:27 PM CDT for Rush County, Kansas. It was in force for 48 min. 5 reports 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
Apr 25, 2026, 4:27 PM CDT (21:27 UTC)
Expired
Apr 25, 2026, 5:15 PM CDT
In force
48 min
Issued by
NWS Dodge City, KS
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
50.0 mph

County Rush County, KS

The radar

The Dodge City radar (KDDC), 97 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:28 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
Apr 25, 4:50 PM CDTHAIL 1.252 Wnw La Crosse, KSCorrects previous hail report from 2 WNW La Crosse.
Apr 25, 4:55 PM CDTHAIL 1.51 S La Crosse, KSSocial media report of ping pong ball sized hail on the south side of La Crosse.
Apr 25, 5:00 PM CDTHAIL 1Rush Center, KS
Apr 25, 5:00 PM CDTHAIL 1.25Rush Center, KS
Apr 25, 5:10 PM CDTHAIL 11 N Rush Center, KS

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 5 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 23 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 watch it was issued in

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

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Apr 25, 2:43 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr

The text

As transmitted.

282 
WUUS53 KDDC 252127
SVRDDC
KSC165-252215-
/O.NEW.KDDC.SV.W.0007.260425T2127Z-260425T2215Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
427 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

The National Weather Service in Dodge City has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Central Rush County in central Kansas...

* Until 515 PM CDT.

* At 426 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located very near
  Hargrave, moving southeast at 20 mph.

  HAZARD...Quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near...
  Hargrave around 430 PM CDT.
  La Crosse around 435 PM CDT.
  Rush Center around 445 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3854 9958 3860 9936 3850 9912 3838 9942
TIME...MOT...LOC 2126Z 313DEG 15KT 3856 9943 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH

$$

SUGDEN
6 follow-up statements
509 
WWUS53 KDDC 252133
SVSDDC

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
433 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

KSC165-252215-
/O.CON.KDDC.SV.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260425T2215Z/
Rush KS-
433 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CDT
FOR CENTRAL RUSH COUNTY...

At 433 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located very near Hargrave,
moving southeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Ping pong ball size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

This severe storm will be near...
  La Crosse around 440 PM CDT.
  Rush Center around 445 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3853 9956 3859 9934 3850 9912 3838 9942
TIME...MOT...LOC 2133Z 313DEG 15KT 3854 9940 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH

$$

SUGDEN
682 
WWUS53 KDDC 252139
SVSDDC

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
439 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

KSC165-252215-
/O.CON.KDDC.SV.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260425T2215Z/
Rush KS-
439 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CDT
FOR CENTRAL RUSH COUNTY...

At 439 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Hargrave,
moving southeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Golf ball size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

This severe storm will be near...
  La Crosse and Rush Center around 445 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3853 9956 3859 9934 3850 9912 3838 9942
TIME...MOT...LOC 2139Z 313DEG 15KT 3852 9937 

THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH

$$

SUGDEN
197 
WWUS53 KDDC 252145
SVSDDC

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
445 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

KSC165-252215-
/O.CON.KDDC.SV.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260425T2215Z/
Rush KS-
445 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CDT
FOR CENTRAL RUSH COUNTY...

At 445 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near La Crosse,
moving southeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Two inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

This severe storm will be near...
  La Crosse and Rush Center around 450 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3850 9953 3857 9930 3850 9912 3838 9942
TIME...MOT...LOC 2145Z 314DEG 14KT 3850 9935 

THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH

$$

SUGDEN
746 
WWUS53 KDDC 252154
SVSDDC

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
454 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

KSC165-252215-
/O.CON.KDDC.SV.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260425T2215Z/
Rush KS-
454 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CDT
FOR CENTRAL RUSH COUNTY...

At 454 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located very near Rush
Center, moving southeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Golf ball size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

This severe storm will be near...
  Rush Center around 500 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3852 9942 3855 9929 3850 9912 3841 9936
TIME...MOT...LOC 2154Z 313DEG 15KT 3847 9931 

THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH

$$

SUGDEN
200 
WWUS53 KDDC 252200
SVSDDC

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
500 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

KSC165-252215-
/O.CON.KDDC.SV.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260425T2215Z/
Rush KS-
500 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CDT
FOR SOUTHEASTERN RUSH COUNTY...

At 459 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located very near Rush
Center, moving southeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Golf ball size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
southeastern Rush County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3848 9939 3853 9922 3850 9912 3841 9936
TIME...MOT...LOC 2159Z 313DEG 15KT 3845 9929 

THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH

$$

SUGDEN
831 
WWUS53 KDDC 252205
SVSDDC

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
505 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

KSC165-252215-
/O.EXP.KDDC.SV.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260425T2215Z/
Rush KS-
505 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN RUSH COUNTY WILL
EXPIRE AT 515 PM CDT...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.  However, small
hail, gusty winds and heavy rain are still possible with this
thunderstorm.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for
central Kansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3848 9939 3853 9922 3850 9912 3841 9936
TIME...MOT...LOC 2205Z 313DEG 15KT 3843 9927 

$$

SUGDEN

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 Apr 25, 12:32 PM CDT, 3 hours 55 minutes earlier. Its 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
Area forecast discussion, Apr 25, 12:32 PM CDT, 3 hours 55 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
1232 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 /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1141 AM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

Low level clouds should dissipate this afternoon with the
exception of around the HYS terminal where they may hang around
through this evening. Low clouds will then develop overnight
bringing IFR conditions to the TAF sites. A cold front moving
through the area will bring northerly winds to the area with the
exception of around the HYS terminal where this cold front
isn't expected to move through until tonight.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...Hovorka_42
AVIATION...Hovorka_42

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 25, 3:02 PM CDT, 1 hour 25 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
302 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

KSZ030-031-045-252030-
Trego KS-Ellis KS-Ness KS-
302 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN NESS...SOUTHEASTERN
TREGO AND SOUTHWESTERN ELLIS COUNTIES THROUGH 330 PM CDT...

At 302 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Cedar Bluff, moving east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northeastern Ness,
southeastern Trego and southwestern Ellis Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for
central Kansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3878 9954 3870 9957 3869 9959 3867 9959
      3863 9960 3871 9983 3879 9980
TIME...MOT...LOC 2002Z 278DEG 14KT 3873 9972

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

SUGDEN
Special weather statement, Apr 25, 3:24 PM CDT, 1 hour 3 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
324 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

KSZ030-031-045-046-252115-
Rush KS-Trego KS-Ellis KS-Ness KS-
324 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN NESS...SOUTHEASTERN
TREGO...NORTHWESTERN RUSH AND SOUTHWESTERN ELLIS COUNTIES THROUGH 415
PM CDT...

At 324 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Brownell, moving east at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northeastern Ness,
southeastern Trego, northwestern Rush and southwestern Ellis
Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for
central Kansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3866 9972 3875 9966 3873 9943 3858 9955
TIME...MOT...LOC 2024Z 284DEG 7KT 3868 9963

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

SUGDEN
Local storm report, Apr 25, 4:08 PM CDT, 19 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
408 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

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

0405 PM     Hail             2 E McCracken           38.62N 99.57W
04/25/2026  M1.00 Inch       Rush               KS   Public

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 25, 3:02 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCTrego28 min
Apr 25, 3:24 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCRush51 min
Apr 25, 3:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCNess, Rush49 min
Apr 25, 4:30 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCPawnee45 min
Apr 25, 4:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCPawnee52 min
Apr 25, 5:05 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCRush20 min
Apr 25, 5:22 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCPawnee, Stafford32 min
Apr 25, 5:24 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCPawnee51 min
Apr 25, 5:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCStafford25 min
Apr 25, 6:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCPawnee, Stafford23 min
Apr 25, 6:17 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatDDCPratt, Stafford27 min
Apr 25, 6:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatDDCPratt29 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; local storm reports from the same archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.