Alert archive / Colorado / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 13, NWS Goodland, KS

July 4, 2026Kit Carson County, Colorado

NWS Goodland, KS issued this flash flood warning at Jul 4, 2026, 12:28 AM MDT for Kit Carson County, Colorado. It was in force for 3 hr. 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 4, 2026, 12:28 AM MDT (06:28 UTC)
Expired
Jul 4, 2026, 3:30 AM MDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Goodland, KS
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Kit Carson County, CO

The radar

The Goodland radar (KGLD), 115 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 06:32 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 flash flood 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 nearest sounding before it

N. Platte/Lee Bi, NE (KLBF), launched 00:00Z, 6.5 hours before the alert went out and 272 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, N. Platte/Lee Bi, NE at 00:00Z on 2026-07-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1785 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, N. Platte/Lee Bi, NE at 00:00Z on 2026-07-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -57 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
1785 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-88 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1714 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
24 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-57 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
22 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
-0.0
Supercell composite
-1.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

933 
WGUS53 KGLD 040628
FFWGLD
COC063-040930-
/O.NEW.KGLD.FF.W.0013.260704T0628Z-260704T0930Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1228 AM MDT Sat Jul 4 2026

The National Weather Service in Goodland has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northwestern Kit Carson County in east central Colorado...

* Until 330 AM MDT.

* At 1228 AM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain
  have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are
  possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected
  to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  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...
  Mainly rural areas of Northwestern Kit Carson County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3957 10291 3944 10298 3944 10315 3957 10315

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$
1 follow-up statement
379 
WGUS73 KGLD 040923
FFSGLD

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
323 AM MDT Sat Jul 4 2026

COC063-040933-
/O.EXP.KGLD.FF.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260704T0930Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Kit Carson CO-
323 AM MDT Sat Jul 4 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 330 AM MDT EARLY THIS MORNING
FOR NORTHWESTERN KIT CARSON COUNTY...

Flood waters have receded. The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no
longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed remaining
road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 3957 10291 3944 10298 3944 10315 3957 10315

$$

CA

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 Goodland, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 4, 12:14 AM MDT, 14 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Scattered storms through the overnight with primary a heavy rain and flash flood threat, but a few severe storms possible with large hail and damaging winds.
  • A cluster of storms is forecast to move into the area Saturday evening from Colorado with damaging winds the primary hazard.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 4, 12:14 AM MDT, 14 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1214 AM MDT Sat Jul 4 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered storms through the overnight with primary a heavy
  rain and flash flood threat, but a few severe storms possible
  with large hail and damaging winds.

- A cluster of storms is forecast to move into the area Saturday
  evening from Colorado with damaging winds the primary hazard.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 805 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026

Issued a Flash Flood Watch for southwest Nebraska through the
overnight hours. This area received 2 to 5 inches of rain last
night and soils are saturated. Thunderstorms have developed in
northeast Colorado and are moving eastward. The low level jet
will become active once again similar to the previous couple of
nights and maintain the convection well into the overnight
hours. Some southerly motion may develop with time, but that is
uncertain. 21z RFS shows 2-4 inches possible in Nebraska, while
the 00z HRRR has the heavy rainfall further south. However,
given the antecedent rainfall think the threat of flooding is
enhanced for southwest Nebraska should storms move over that
area.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 1212 AM MDT Sat Jul 4 2026

In the near term...thunderstorms are expected to increase in
coverage as they move out of Colorado the next few hours and
continue through the overnight as the low level jet strengthens.
Locally heavy rainfall will be the main concern, but may also
see a few embedded stronger storms with a marginal wind and hail
threat. Storms should be exiting the area to the east between
11-13z.

For the rest of today...upper ridge over west Texas and New
Mexico well start to build into the southern Rockies, turning
the flow over the central plains from zonal to slightly
northwest. Another embedded wave will move through this
afternoon and evening. CAMs show convection initiating along
the Front Range and Cheyenne Ridge 21-22z and moving southeast,
reaching the Colorado and Kansas border area 00-03z. However,
with rapidly declining instability, and lack of a low level jet,
storms are forecast to decay rather quickly. Remnant outflows
appear to be the main severe threat through the early evening
into northwest Kansas, ending by 06z at the latest, but probably
closer to 03z. Given the lack of a low level jet, not expecting
any overnight convection.

On Sunday...upper ridge continues to build northward into
Colorado, with a northerly flow around it over the central
plains. Given the lack of forcing in proximity to the ridge,
convection appears unlikely.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Issued at 139 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026

Starting with the upper pattern, there is a ridge that begins to
move in over the Dakotas and Canada. This ridge will begin to stall
out and remain stationary for the majority of the period. Along with
the ridge, there are two lows both sitting off of the northern west
and northern east coast. With this pattern our flow for the CWA will
mainly be weak zonal and will see some small embedded shortwave
troughs throughout the week. These shortwaves will likely bring some
higher precipitation chances for the area.

Sunday through Friday all look very similar with high temperatures
in the low 80s to upper 90s. Beginning Wednesday there is slight
increase with temperatures reaching near 100 degrees. The
probability of exceeding 100 degrees for Wednesday through
Friday is 5-10% for mainly areas south of I-70. Except for
Friday, areas west of KS Hwy 27 along with south of I-70 will
see 5-15% of exceeding 100 degrees. Moving to the winds they
mainly remain out of the south-southeast. Gusts look to remain
around 25-35 mph. RH values remain above 20% for the majority
of the period as well.

As for precipitation/storm chances, PoPs are showing there being 15-
30% chance for the majority of the CWA for this period. Moving to
storm potential, Guidance is showing there being around 1000-2000
J/kg of SFC-CAPE. Looking at Bulk Shear there is 25-40 kts.
NCAR AI Convective Hazard Forecast products is showing there
being around a 5-15% of severe hazards for at least one county
in the CWA. Given the shortwaves that move through the area
along with the storm ingredients there could be the potential of
storms for the period.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1138 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026

Scattered thunderstorms will develop across the area overnight
with around a 30% probability of impacting either terminal with
brief reductions in ceilings and visibility in rain, as well as
gusty winds. The thunderstorms should exit the area by around
12z. Otherwise, VFR expected to prevail through Saturday
afternoon. Next round of storms will move out of Colorado in the
late afternoon or early Saturday evening, with a low probability
of impacting KGLD with gusty winds from associated outflow.

&&

.GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KS...None.
CO...None.
NE...Flood Watch until 6 AM MDT /7 AM CDT/ early this morning for
     NEZ079>081.

&&

UPDATE...024
SHORT TERM...024
LONG TERM...Holdren
AVIATION...024
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 3, 8:04 PM MDT, 4 hours 24 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Goodland KS
804 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026

COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-050215-
Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne CO-Cheyenne KS-Rawlins-Decatur-Norton-
Sherman-Thomas-Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita-
Dundy-Hitchcock-Red Willow-
804 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026 /904 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026/

This hazardous weather outlook is for extreme southwest Nebraska...
northwest Kansas and east central Colorado.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT...

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for Southwest Nebraska through 6 AM
MDT or 7 AM CDT Saturday morning. Thunderstorms will move into the
area later this evening and into the overnight hours where the soil
is saturated from heavy rainfall that occurred last night. Excessive
runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other
low-lying and flood-prone locations.

Strong to severe storms are forecast to develop this evening and overnight
generally north of Interstate 70. Large hail, damaging winds and
some flash flooding due to training storms may be possible. Damage to
crops and property are possible. If outdoors overnight for the
holiday remain alert for possible severe weather.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH FRIDAY...

Severe storms will be possible Saturday afternoon and Saturday
evening. Scattered storms are expected to develop in northeast
Colorado after 3 PM MT and move east into Kansas and Nebraska after
6 PM MT. Large hail and damaging winds will be the primary hazards.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 3, 11:48 PM MDT, 40 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1248 AM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

KSZ002-040615-
Rawlins KS-
1248 AM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL RAWLINS COUNTY THROUGH
115 AM CDT...

At 1248 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles east of McDonald, or 10 miles west of Atwood, moving east at 15
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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 outdoor objects is
         possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of central Rawlins
County, including the following locations... Blakeman and Beardsley.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3969 10127 3985 10136 3999 10104 3974 10092
TIME...MOT...LOC 0548Z 249DEG 12KT 3980 10123

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

024
Special weather statement, Jul 3, 11:49 PM MDT, 39 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1249 AM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

KSZ028-029-040615-
Gove KS-Logan KS-
1249 AM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN LOGAN AND
NORTHWESTERN GOVE COUNTIES THROUGH 115 AM CDT...

At 1249 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12
miles east of Russell Springs, or 14 miles north of Scott State Lake,
moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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 outdoor objects is
         possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern Logan
and northwestern Gove 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.

&&

LAT...LON 3877 10101 3895 10107 3907 10067 3881 10059
TIME...MOT...LOC 0549Z 256DEG 19KT 3888 10095

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

024
Special weather statement, Jul 4, 12:16 AM MDT, 12 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
116 AM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

KSZ002-003-040645-
Rawlins KS-Decatur KS-
116 AM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN RAWLINS AND
SOUTHWESTERN DECATUR COUNTIES THROUGH 145 AM CDT...

At 116 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 6
miles southeast of Atwood, moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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 outdoor objects is
         possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern
Rawlins and southwestern Decatur Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3967 10111 3987 10108 3982 10058 3957 10069
TIME...MOT...LOC 0616Z 281DEG 39KT 3974 10098

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

024
Special weather statement, Jul 4, 12:22 AM MDT, 6 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
122 AM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

KSZ003-004-040645-
Norton KS-Decatur KS-
122 AM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN NORTON AND SOUTHEASTERN
DECATUR COUNTIES THROUGH 145 AM CDT...

At 122 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 5
miles north of Jennings, or 12 miles east of Oberlin, moving east at
45 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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 outdoor objects is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Clayton around 125 AM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3957 9979 3957 9992 3968 10042 3986 10037
      3980 9973
TIME...MOT...LOC 0622Z 281DEG 39KT 3976 10031

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

024
Special weather statement, Jul 4, 12:22 AM MDT, 6 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
122 AM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

KSZ003-004-040645-
Norton KS-Decatur KS-
122 AM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN NORTON AND SOUTHEASTERN
DECATUR COUNTIES THROUGH 145 AM CDT...

At 122 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 5
miles north of Jennings, or 12 miles east of Oberlin, moving east at
45 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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 outdoor objects is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Clayton around 125 AM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3957 9979 3957 9992 3968 10042 3986 10037
      3980 9973
TIME...MOT...LOC 0622Z 281DEG 39KT 3976 10031

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

024

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 3, 7:20 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDKit Carson35 min
Jul 3, 11:52 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDKit Carson53 min
Jul 4, 12:44 AM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDKit Carson46 min
Jul 4, 1:07 AM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDKit Carson38 min
Jul 4, 1:31 AM MDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatGLDKit Carson, Yuma44 min
Jul 4, 2:12 AM MDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatGLDKit Carson, Yuma48 min
Jul 4, 5:10 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGLDPhillips20 min
Jul 4, 5:43 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGLDYuma32 min
Jul 4, 5:58 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDYuma62 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Colorado, 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.