Alert archive / Kansas / River Flood Warnings in 2026

River Flood Warning 1, NWS Goodland, KS

June 21, 2026Decatur County, Kansas

NWS Goodland, KS issued this river flood warning at Jun 21, 2026, 6:23 PM CDT for Decatur County, Kansas. It was in force for 66 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jun 21, 2026, 6:23 PM CDT (23:23 UTC)
Expired
Jun 24, 2026, 11:57 AM CDT
In force
66 hr
Issued by
NWS Goodland, KS
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
Moderate

County Decatur County, KS

The radar

The Goodland radar (KGLD), 116 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:26 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.

The river

Written for the forecast point Sappa Creek near Oberlin (OBNK1).

Action stage
9 ft
Minor stage
11 ft
Moderate stage
14 ft
Major stage
17 ft

This gauge today: stage, forecast and historic crests

Stage from the USGS instantaneous record for site 06845000, one reading an hour, from a day before the product to a day after it ended. Flood stages are today's.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this river 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 river flood warning went out at Jun 21, 2:33 PM CDT, 3 hours 50 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Severe storms capable of producing 2 inch diameter hail, 75 mph wind gusts, and a brief tornado are possible this afternoon and evening, mainly between 2 PM and 9 PM MDT.
  • Locations that received heavy rain during the past 24-hr are more prone to experience flash flooding, should additional heavy rain occur this afternoon.
  • Severe storms capable of producing 2 inch diameter hail and 70 mph wind gusts are possible during the afternoon and evening hours Monday through Wednesday.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 21, 2:33 PM CDT, 3 hours 50 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Goodland KS
133 PM MDT Sun Jun 21 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Severe storms capable of producing 2 inch diameter hail, 75
  mph wind gusts, and a brief tornado are possible this
  afternoon and evening, mainly between 2 PM and 9 PM MDT.

- Locations that received heavy rain during the past 24-hr are
  more prone to experience flash flooding, should additional
  heavy rain occur this afternoon.

- Severe storms capable of producing 2 inch diameter hail and 70
  mph wind gusts are possible during the afternoon and evening
  hours Monday through Wednesday.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 1208 PM MDT Sun Jun 21 2026

Today, a 500 mb low will create an 850 mb and surface low that will
sweep across the southern portions of the Northern Plains. This will
extend a cold front through the CWA, sparking off more storms in the
afternoon hours. Highs are expected to be near 80 in the
northeastern CWA, but near 90 in the southwestern CWA.

Convection looks to just north of Yuma and Dundy counties, and move
southeast. Additional convection will fire in off as a broken line
to the southwest. As of 18Z, there is a Cu field forming in this
area, which will become storms over the next couple of hours. Hail
up around in the 1-2 inch range will be the main threat early on,
but if a storm can really tap into the shear and CAPE, 3 inch hail
will be possible. The tornadic threat is fairly similar, a bigger
hazard early on. This does not look to be a great tornadic
environment as hodographs are a little too straight. Winds are a
threat through the whole event, but more so as the broken line grows
together. Most likely winds will be in the 60-70 MPH range, but
winds up to 80-85 MPH are possible. Convection looks to weaken
around 3Z, with lingering showers potentially lasting until after
6Z.

Lows tonight do look to be a bit cooler Sunday night behind the cold
front, likely dropping into the 50s. Fog and stratus are likely
again overnight.

Monday, the northwesterly flow aloft persists and sends another
shortwave across the Rockies and into the High Plains. Highs look to
warm into the mid 70s in the northeastern CWA and mid 80s in the
southwestern CWA. Convection looks to fire off the front range and
Palmer Divide around 21-23Z and move east into the area. These CAMs
are showing these storms decaying before they exit Colorado, but
looking at CAPE and shear, they may continue into Nebraska and
Kansas. Hail is the primary threat with these storms, up to 2
inches, and winds up to 60-70 MPH are possible. There is a low
tornado risk, too. Additional sub-severe convection may trail these
storms and linger into the overnight hours. The severe threat looks
to end around 3-5Z.

Lows tomorrow night look to cool into the 50s, maybe low 60s. Fog
and stratus may return again.

&&

.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Issued at 128 PM MDT Sun Jun 21 2026

***Tuesday-Wednesday***

A 500-mb trough looks to be moving across the Northern United States
Tuesday, with a modest 40-55 kt jet streak at its base. The trough
axis looks to be moving through the area throughout the day. At the
same time, GEFS 850-mb height mean-spread guidance suggests the
presence of a low in Colorado. Southerly flow from the low in
Colorado would meet northerly flow underneath the trough axis,
creating a convergence zone across the forecast region.
Thunderstorms may be possible with this setup. LREF guidance
suggests that up to 3000 J/kg of surface-based CAPE (a measure of
atmospheric instability) may be in place. In addition, GFS and EC
model soundings suggest that 0-6 km vertical shear around 40-50 kts
is reasonably possible due to the 500-mb jet streak. This may allow
thunderstorms to become severe, with primary hazards including high
wind and large hail. This pattern may linger into Wednesday, which
may continue to promote severe thunderstorms with similar
hazards. Confidence in severe weather occurring is highest on
Tuesday around 15-20%.

***Thursday-Sunday***

Ridging looks to begin moving in overhead sometime Thursday.
Shortwave troughs embedded in the ridge may allow thunderstorms to
stick around on Thursday and possibly Friday, though chances begin
to decrease dramatically after Thursday. The entire County Warning
Area (CWA) has a 50-70% chance of seeing greater than 0.1 inches of
precipitation from Thursday's activity based on NBM 24-hr
precipitation guidance. Whether or not these storms are allowed to
become severe depends on the positioning and strength of the 500-mb
jet. LREF 90th percentile guidance suggests that winds at 500-mb
could still reach 30-40 kts, though it appears likely that the jet
will be weaker on Thursday than that of Tuesday and Wednesday. If
this is the case, the severe potential could be a bit lower
Thursday. Confidence in severe weather occurring Thursday is down to
about 5-10%.

By Friday, all areas across the forecast region have a 1 in 3 chance
or less to experience greater than 0.1 inches of precipitation
according to NBM 24-hr precipitation guidance. This decreases to
less than 10% Saturday and Sunday. In addition, as troughing sets up
across the West Coast during the weekend, temperatures look to begin
warming again. Highs are forecast in the mid 80s to lower 90s on
Friday, and low to upper 90s on Saturday and Sunday. As this heating
occurs and moisture moves off to the east, dry conditions look to
set in. Forecast guidance suggests that portions of East-Central
Colorado may see relative humidities (RH) drop into the low to mid
teens Saturday and Sunday. Wind gusts may be allowed to reach the 25
to 30 mph range across this zone, which could implicate critical
fire weather as a concern. However, confidence in a Red Flag Warning
being needed either day is around 5% or less, as both RH values and
wind gusts are just meeting criteria for the hazard. Additionally,
precipitation over the next several days may help counter the
incoming dry conditions. Even so, this development will be something
to keep an eye on as we approach the weekend.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/...
Issued at 1117 AM MDT Sun Jun 21 2026

The ceilings are slowing lifting and breaking across the region.
KMCK and KGLD are expected to return to VFR conditions by 20Z.
Winds look to be chaotic this afternoon, shifting from
southwesterly to easterly before more storms move in during the
afternoon hours. Once the convection clears, around 3Z, MVFR to
IFR ceilings return around 9Z and will persist until after
sunrise.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 1117 AM MDT Sun Jun 21 2026

Over the next week, we are looking at near daily chances of
convection as PWATs range around 0.9-1.75 inch. We are also
expecting 0C level to be around 15,000 feet AGL, leading to deep
melting layers, promoting efficient rainfall producing storms.

Recent precipitation totals (preliminary) along a line from
Trenton, NE to Grinnell, KS range from 3-6 inches. Additionally,
areas in southern Rawlins and northern Thomas county range
around 2.5-5 inches. These locations will be at the highest risk
for additional flooding and flash flooding to occur this
afternoon and evening.

A Flood Watch has not been issued due to a lack of confidence
that tonight's storms will produce more than 1-1.5 inches of
rain. Guidance is also highlighting areas to the east of the
saturated locations, reducing the potential for compounding
flood risks. Current confidence in additional flash flooding
occurring this afternoon and evening is around 30-40%.

Through Friday, there are returning chances of precipitation
across the CWA. If storms keep passing over the same, saturated
areas, flooding becomes a reoccurring risk.

&&

.GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KS...None.
CO...None.
NE...None.

&&

SHORT TERM...CA
LONG TERM...Davis
AVIATION...CA
HYDROLOGY...CA
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 21, 1:54 PM CDT, 4 hours 29 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1254 PM MDT Sun Jun 21 2026

COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-221900-
Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne CO-Cheyenne KS-Rawlins-Decatur-Norton-
Sherman-Thomas-Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita-
Dundy-Hitchcock-Red Willow-
1254 PM MDT Sun Jun 21 2026 /154 PM CDT Sun Jun 21 2026/

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT...

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued until 8 PM MT for the
entire Tri-State area. Storms capable of producing 2 inch diameter
hail, 75 mph wind gusts, and a brief tornado are possible this
afternoon and evening, mainly between 2 PM and 9 PM MDT.

Heavy rainfall is possible with the storms this afternoon and
evening. Locations that received heavy rainfall during the past 24
hours are more prone to experience flash flooding. Driving through
flooding roadways is dangerous.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY...

Severe storms capable of producing 2 inch diameter hail and 70 mph
wind gusts are possible during the afternoon and evening hours
Monday through Wednesday.

There is an ongoing flash flooding threat through the week as
additional rounds of efficient rain producing storms move through
the
area.Driving through flooding roadways is dangerous.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jun 21, 4:44 PM CDT, 1 hour 39 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
344 PM MDT Sun Jun 21 2026

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

0339 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 ENE Saint Francis     39.78N 101.78W
06/21/2026  M57 MPH          Cheyenne           KS   Mesonet

            AWN station measured 57 mph gust.

&&

KAK
Local storm report, Jun 21, 4:59 PM CDT, 1 hour 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
359 PM MDT Sun Jun 21 2026

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

0356 PM     Hail             4 W Bird City           39.76N 101.60W
06/21/2026  M0.50 Inch       Cheyenne           KS   Public

            Text message report of half inch hail.

&&

KAK
Local storm report, Jun 21, 5:34 PM CDT, 49 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
434 PM MDT Sun Jun 21 2026

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

0412 PM     Tornado          13 N Brewster           39.55N 101.35W
06/21/2026                   Thomas             KS   Official NWS Obs

            Possible Weak TDS: A potential weak TDS may
            have been observed off GLD radar.

&&

KAK
Local storm report, Jun 21, 5:42 PM CDT, 41 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
442 PM MDT Sun Jun 21 2026

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

0436 PM     Hail             3 SE Kit Carson         38.73N 102.76W
06/21/2026  E0.88 Inch       Cheyenne           CO   Trained Spotter

            Trained spotter estimates nickel sized hail
            falling as of time of report.

&&

KAK
Local storm report, Jun 21, 5:54 PM CDT, 29 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
454 PM MDT Sun Jun 21 2026

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

0449 PM     Hail             Levant                  39.38N 101.19W
06/21/2026  M1.00 Inch       Thomas             KS   Public

            Text message report with picture of quarter
            sized hail in Levant.

&&

KAK
Local storm report, Jun 21, 6:14 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
514 PM MDT Sun Jun 21 2026

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

0500 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 E Cheyenne Wells      38.82N 102.33W
06/21/2026  M60 MPH          Cheyenne           CO   Mesonet

            WU station KCOCHEYE2 reported a 60 mph gust.

&&

DH

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 20, 7:01 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatGLDSheridan29 min
Jun 20, 7:16 PM CDTTornado WarningGLDSheridan44 min
Jun 20, 7:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatGLDGove, Sheridan63 min
Jun 20, 7:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDThomas36 min
Jun 20, 7:43 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatGLDGove, Logan, Wichita47 min
Jun 20, 7:57 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatGLDSherman, Wallace33 min
Jun 20, 8:02 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGLDGove, Logan, Sheridan, Thomas3 hr
Jun 20, 8:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDLogan, Thomas20 min
Jun 20, 8:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatGLDGove, Logan, Wichita62 min
Jun 20, 8:36 PM CDTDust Storm WarningGLDGreeley, Wichita39 min
Jun 20, 9:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatGLDWichita20 min
Jun 20, 9:57 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDSheridan, Thomas20 min
Jun 20, 10:20 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGLDRawlins25 min
Jun 20, 10:59 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGLDDecatur, Rawlins, Sheridan, Thomas3 hr
Jun 20, 11:06 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningGLDDecatur, Rawlins3 hr
Jun 20, 11:43 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningGLDCheyenne, Rawlins2 hr
Jun 21, 2:10 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningGLDDecatur, Rawlins29 hr
Jun 21, 1:51 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningGLDGove, Sheridan, Thomas18 hr
Jun 21, 4:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatGLDCheyenne42 min
Jun 21, 4:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatGLDRawlins32 min
Jun 21, 4:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatGLDCheyenne, Rawlins, Sherman49 min
Jun 21, 5:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDCheyenne, Rawlins, Sherman, Thomas51 min
Jun 21, 5:12 PM CDTTornado WarningGLDRawlins, Sherman, Thomas19 min
Jun 21, 5:54 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDGove, Logan, Sherman, Thomas36 min
Jun 21, 6:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDGreeley, Wallace45 min
Jun 21, 6:22 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDLogan, Thomas, Wichita53 min
Jun 21, 6:27 PM CDTTornado WarningGLDLogan48 min
Jun 21, 6:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDGreeley35 min
Jun 21, 2:49 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementGLDYuma116 min
Jun 21, 3:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDYuma67 min
Jun 21, 3:31 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDKit Carson59 min
Jun 21, 3:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDYuma49 min
Jun 21, 3:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDYuma31 min
Jun 21, 4:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDCheyenne, Kit Carson63 min
Jun 21, 5:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGLDCheyenne56 min
Jun 21, 3:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatGLDDundy, Hitchcock60 min

Nearby

River Flood Warnings in Kansas, 2026Every river 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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive; the gauge from the NWS water service and the USGS.