Alert archive / Kansas / Special Weather Statements in 2026

Special Weather Statement, NWS Dodge City, KS

August 8, 2026Finney County, Kearny County, Kansas

NWS Dodge City, KS issued this special weather statement at Aug 8, 2026, 7:39 PM CDT for Finney County, Kearny County, Kansas. It was in force for 51 min. 2 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
Aug 8, 2026, 7:39 PM CDT (00:39 UTC)
Expired
Aug 8, 2026, 8:30 PM CDT
In force
51 min
Issued by
NWS Dodge City, KS
Hail
0.00 in
Wind
55

Counties Finney County, KS, Kearny County, KS

The radar

The Dodge City radar (KDDC), 94 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:40 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
Aug 8, 7:50 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 583 Ene Lakin, KSReport was received from a personal weather station.
Aug 8, 8:25 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 546 S Deerfield, KSReport was received from a personal weather station.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Dodge City, (KDDC), launched 00:00Z, 0.7 hours before the alert went out and 99 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 2026-08-09Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 465 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 2026-08-09The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 45 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
465 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-85 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
3840 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
31 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
45 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
70 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

539 
WWUS83 KDDC 090039
SPSDDC

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
739 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026
 
KSZ062-063-090130-
Finney KS-Kearny KS-
739 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CENTRAL KEARNY AND NORTHWESTERN
FINNEY COUNTIES THROUGH 830 PM CDT...

At 738 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles southeast of Friend to 6 miles
southeast of Lakin. Movement was east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph. Blowing dust leading to 
         localized reduced visibilities and lightning induced 
         grassland fires.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around 
         unsecured objects.

Strong thunderstorms will be near...
  Holcomb around 745 PM CDT.
  Garden City around 750 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. 

&&

LAT...LON 3826 10040 3786 10100 3793 10147 3806 10138
      3812 10104 3826 10094
TIME...MOT...LOC 0038Z 280DEG 12KT 3821 10081 3788 10118 

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

$$

BENNETT

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this special weather statement 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 special weather statement went out at Aug 8, 4:30 PM CDT, 3 hours 9 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Heat wave continues through early next week, with afternoon temperatures well over 100 degrees. This will be a dry heat with strong south winds, increasing the risk of dehydration each afternoon. Drink plenty of water, and ensure pets and livestock have a sufficient water supply.
  • A pattern change is expected late next week, with much cooler temperatures and improved rainfall opportunities.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 8, 4:30 PM CDT, 3 hours 9 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
430 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026

...Updated Aviation/Key Messages...

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Heat wave continues through early next week, with afternoon
  temperatures well over 100 degrees. This will be a dry heat
  with strong south winds, increasing the risk of dehydration
  each afternoon. Drink plenty of water, and ensure pets and
  livestock have a sufficient water supply.

- A pattern change is expected late next week, with much cooler
  temperatures and improved rainfall opportunities.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1237 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026

WV imagery indicates a northwest flow aloft prevailing across
the Western High Plains downstream of a ridge centered across
the Desert Southwest. Near the surface, a lee side trough of low
pressure is slowly strengthening across eastern Colorado.

Minimal thunderstorm chances (20%) exist across west central/central
Kansas this evening as the SREF indicates a weak upper level
shortwave and associated H5 vort maxima cycling southeast off
the ridge axis in the Northern Rockies into the high plains of
western Nebraska and northeast Colorado. Near the surface,
prevailing southerlies will support pooling moisture ahead of an
advancing dryline, providing modest instability with MUCAPE
values upward of 1000 J/kg or so. Despite weaker dynamic support
aloft, steeping mid- level lapse rates in vicinity of an axis
of increased low level convergence associated with the dryline
will set the stage for potential isolated thunderstorm
development this evening as H5 vort maxima transition through.
This is suggested by a few CAMs and the HREF pointing to only a
10 to 20% probability of 6-hr QPF exceeding a mere 0.1 of an
inch in vicinity of the I-70 corridor by late evening.
Hotter/drier conditions are likely the next couple of days as
southwesterly downsloping enhances a drier air mass across the
Western High Plains.

Very warm temperatures are forecast tonight as southwesterly
downsloping reinforces a warmer air mass across southwest/central
Kansas. With the HREF painting a 70-90% probability of temperatures
dropping below 75F in west central and extreme southwest Kansas to
to only a 10-20% probability of slipping below 75F in south central
Kansas, look for lows generally down into 70s(F). Southwesterly
downsloping will further enhance drier air into southwest Kansas
Sunday, nudging H85 temperatures up from Saturday with a little
above 30C in central Kansas to near 35C near the Colorado line.
Expect widespread afternoon highs topping 100F with the HREF showing
a widespread 80-90% probability of temperatures exceeding the
century mark. Similar conditions are likely Monday.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z MONDAY/...
Issued at 430 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026

VFR/SKC will continue through this TAF period, with scattered
cirrus. Radar at 2130z showed high based convection well NW of
GCK, moving southeast. This activity is expected to weaken and
not reach the GCK terminal, but will be monitored. Other
thunderstorms east of HYS are expected to remain east of that
airport. Elevated southwest winds currently will trend south
and remain elevated through tonight, with a strong low level jet
keeping the boundary layer mixed. Included low level wind shear
in TAFs as appropriate. After 15z Sun, southwest winds will
increase again at all airports, gusting 25-30 kts.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...JJohnson
AVIATION...Turner
KEY MESSAGES...Turner

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 8, 7:01 PM CDT, 38 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
701 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026

KSZ043-044-063-090045-
Finney KS-Lane KS-Scott KS-
701 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHERN FINNEY...SOUTHEASTERN
SCOTT AND LANE COUNTIES THROUGH 745 PM CDT...

At 700 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorm
outflow winds, along a line extending from near Healy to 6 miles
southeast of Friend. Movement was east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph. Areas of blowing dust may
         reduce visibility.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Strong thunderstorms will be near...
  Shields and Amy around 705 PM CDT.
  Dighton around 710 PM CDT.
  Pendennis around 715 PM CDT.
  Alamota around 720 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3870 10027 3814 10025 3815 10109 3870 10065
TIME...MOT...LOC 0000Z 286DEG 38KT 3867 10057 3819 10082

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

TURNER
Special weather statement, Aug 8, 7:11 PM CDT, 28 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
711 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026

KSZ061-062-074-075-090100-
Stanton KS-Kearny KS-Hamilton KS-Grant KS-
711 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN HAMILTON...SOUTHERN
KEARNY...NORTHWESTERN GRANT AND STANTON COUNTIES THROUGH 800 PM
CDT/700 PM MDT/...

At 710 PM CDT/610 PM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 7 miles west of Lakin to
near Johnson City. Movement was southeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph. Areas of blowing dust may
         reduce visibility.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Strong thunderstorms will be near...
  Johnson City around 715 PM CDT.
  Big Bow around 720 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3769 10204 3797 10171 3788 10110 3785 10110
      3740 10166 3758 10204
TIME...MOT...LOC 0010Z 300DEG 37KT 3793 10140 3759 10178

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

TURNER
Local storm report, Aug 8, 7:27 PM CDT, 12 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
727 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026

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

0650 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 ESE Scott City        38.47N 100.85W
08/08/2026  M54 MPH          Scott              KS   Mesonet

            Report was from a Kansas State University
            Mesonet.

0655 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 ESE Scott State Lake  38.68N 100.90W
08/08/2026  M54 MPH          Scott              KS   Mesonet

            Report was from K5SCT KSDOT mesonet.

&&
Special weather statement, Aug 8, 7:36 PM CDT, 3 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
736 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026

KSZ074-084-090100-
Stanton KS-Morton KS-
736 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN MORTON AND
SOUTHWESTERN STANTON COUNTIES THROUGH 800 PM CDT...

At 736 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 7 miles northwest of Manter
to 13 miles east of Campo. Movement was southeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph. Blowing dust leading to
         localized reduced visibilities and lightning induced fires.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Strong thunderstorms will be near...
  The Saunders Elevator around 740 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3759 10204 3740 10166 3714 10204
TIME...MOT...LOC 0036Z 328DEG 13KT 3759 10199 3708 10234

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

BENNETT
Local storm report, Aug 8, 7:37 PM CDT, 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
737 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026

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

0725 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 NNW Amy               38.51N 100.61W
08/08/2026  M48 MPH          Lane               KS   Public

            Report was from a personal weather station.

&&
Special weather statement, Aug 8, 7:39 PM CDT, 0 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
739 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026

KSZ062-063-090130-
Finney KS-Kearny KS-
739 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CENTRAL KEARNY AND NORTHWESTERN
FINNEY COUNTIES THROUGH 830 PM CDT...

At 738 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles southeast of Friend to 6 miles
southeast of Lakin. Movement was east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph. Blowing dust leading to
         localized reduced visibilities and lightning induced
         grassland fires.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Strong thunderstorms will be near...
  Holcomb around 745 PM CDT.
  Garden City around 750 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3826 10040 3786 10100 3793 10147 3806 10138
      3812 10104 3826 10094
TIME...MOT...LOC 0038Z 280DEG 12KT 3821 10081 3788 10118

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

BENNETT

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 8, 7:01 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCLane44 min
Aug 8, 7:11 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCStanton49 min
Aug 8, 7:36 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCMorton24 min
Aug 8, 8:03 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCGrant, Haskell42 min
Aug 8, 8:04 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCMorton, Stanton41 min
Aug 8, 8:46 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCMorton44 min
Aug 8, 9:29 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCMorton46 min
Aug 9, 12:03 AM CDTHeat AdvisoryDDCBarber, Clark, Comanche, Edwards, Ellis, Finney and 21 more20 hr
Aug 9, 4:30 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCHamilton45 min
Aug 9, 4:55 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCScott50 min
Aug 9, 5:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCScott42 min
Aug 9, 5:13 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCHamilton32 min
Aug 9, 5:43 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCScott47 min
Aug 9, 5:55 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCKearny50 min
Aug 9, 5:59 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCStanton46 min
Aug 9, 6:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDDCLane, Scott48 min
Aug 9, 6:32 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCKearny43 min
Aug 9, 6:56 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDDCKearny49 min

Nearby

Special Weather Statements in Kansas, 2026Every special weather statement 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.