Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 1, NWS Goodland, KS
NWS Goodland, KS issued this tornado warning at May 16, 2026, 5:38 PM MDT for Sherman County, Kansas. It was in force for 37 min. 1 report 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
- May 16, 2026, 5:38 PM MDT (23:38 UTC)
- Expired
- May 16, 2026, 6:15 PM MDT
- In force
- 37 min
- Issued by
- NWS Goodland, KS
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 2.5 in
County Sherman County, KS
The radar
The Goodland radar (KGLD), 19 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:37 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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 5:41 PM MDT | TORNADO | 1 Wnw Edson, KS | Between an NWS Employee seeing a ground circulation while a storm chaser noticing a funnel in the same spot from a different angle, brief tornado east of Edson. |
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 one storm report to this tornado warning; the first came 3 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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 3:05 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The text
As transmitted.
372
WFUS53 KGLD 162338
TORGLD
KSC181-170030-
/O.NEW.KGLD.TO.W.0001.260516T2338Z-260517T0030Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Goodland KS
538 PM MDT Sat May 16 2026
The National Weather Service in Goodland has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
East central Sherman County in northwestern Kansas...
* Until 630 PM MDT.
* At 538 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 6 miles east of Goodland, moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and tennis ball size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.
* This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
east central Sherman County, including the following locations...
Edson.
This includes Interstate 70 in Kansas between mile markers 24 and 35.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3930 10139 3932 10160 3939 10162 3946 10139
TIME...MOT...LOC 2338Z 265DEG 12KT 3936 10159
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.50 IN
$$
Trigg3 follow-up statements
826
WWUS53 KGLD 162344
SVSGLD
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
544 PM MDT Sat May 16 2026
KSC181-170030-
/O.CON.KGLD.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260517T0030Z/
Sherman KS-
544 PM MDT Sat May 16 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM MDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL SHERMAN COUNTY...
At 543 PM MDT, a confirmed tornado was located 7 miles east of
Goodland, moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado and tennis ball size hail.
SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. A brief tornado was
reported near mile marker 26 along Interstate 70 in eastern
Sherman county.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Edson.
This includes Interstate 70 in Kansas between mile markers 24 and 35.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3930 10139 3932 10160 3939 10162 3946 10139
TIME...MOT...LOC 2343Z 265DEG 12KT 3936 10157
TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.50 IN
$$
Trigg732
WWUS53 KGLD 162353
SVSGLD
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
553 PM MDT Sat May 16 2026
KSC181-170030-
/O.CON.KGLD.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260517T0030Z/
Sherman KS-
553 PM MDT Sat May 16 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM MDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL SHERMAN COUNTY...
At 553 PM MDT, a confirmed tornado was located 6 miles east of
Goodland, and is nearly stationary.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado and tennis ball size hail.
SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. This storm has a
history of producing tornadoes.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Edson.
This includes Interstate 70 in Kansas between mile markers 24 and 35.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3930 10139 3932 10160 3939 10162 3946 10139
TIME...MOT...LOC 2353Z 253DEG 2KT 3935 10159
TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.50 IN
$$
Trigg001 WWUS53 KGLD 170015 SVSGLD Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Goodland KS 615 PM MDT Sat May 16 2026 KSC181-170025- /O.CAN.KGLD.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260517T0030Z/ Sherman KS- 615 PM MDT Sat May 16 2026 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL SHERMAN COUNTY IS CANCELLED... The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area. However, small hail, gusty winds and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for northwestern Kansas. To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service Goodland. && LAT...LON 3930 10139 3932 10160 3939 10162 3946 10139 TIME...MOT...LOC 0013Z 265DEG 12KT 3936 10149 $$ Trigg
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this tornado 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 tornado warning went out at May 16, 3:10 PM MDT, 2 hours 28 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for most of the Tri- State area this afternoon and evening. Large hail up to 3 inches and damaging wind gusts up to 80 mph are the main hazards. A few tornadoes and blowing dust are also possible.
- Sunday-Monday, more severe weather is expected during the afternoon and evening hours. All hazards are possible, and will generally favor northern portions of the area.
- Critical fire weather conditions are possible Sunday and Monday.
- Blowing dust will be possible with severe storms. Blowing dust may also occur Monday with wind gusts nearing 50 mph for those who do not receive rain over the weekend.
Area forecast discussion, May 16, 3:10 PM MDT, 2 hours 28 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Goodland KS 310 PM MDT Sat May 16 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for most of the Tri- State area this afternoon and evening. Large hail up to 3 inches and damaging wind gusts up to 80 mph are the main hazards. A few tornadoes and blowing dust are also possible. - Sunday-Monday, more severe weather is expected during the afternoon and evening hours. All hazards are possible, and will generally favor northern portions of the area. - Critical fire weather conditions are possible Sunday and Monday. - Blowing dust will be possible with severe storms. Blowing dust may also occur Monday with wind gusts nearing 50 mph for those who do not receive rain over the weekend. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/... Issued at 1225 PM MDT Sat May 16 2026 Current satellite observations show a large upper trough over the Western Unites States and Rocky Mountains. At the surface, low pressure has setup over the Panhandles region, but extends towards the Central Plains and Front Range. With this, we continue to have both upper level and lower level support for storms. Early morning storms that formed along an initial convergence zone or dryline along I-70 are beginning to dissipate as they move north into an environment that is a little less unstable that the southern and eastern areas. These early morning storms are not forecast to make much of a difference in the later storms or prevent them from being strong. One of the bigger changes is that the convergence zone that was forecast to be around Highway 40 and I-70 is less likely to be in place and spark storms. This appears to be due to the low broadening and having less of a wind convergence zone setup. Still, there could be some weak convergence or a weak dryline that could still ignite some storms that would be more likely to be solo and/or supercellular. If these do form, it would likely be near I-70 between 2-4pm MT. Overall chance is around 30%. The main hazard when these storms first form would be very large hail around 1-3 inches in size and maybe a tornado. Otherwise, we are still on track for storms to form between 1-3pm MT in Eastern Colorado along an area of surface convergence and moisture convergence. These storms would likely form into a line fairly quickly near the Western Yuma and Kit Carson county borders and push east. While the instability and available moisture should be lesser to start, enough should be present for large hail to form. As it becomes more of a line and moves east into better moisture, the risk for tornadoes and strong outflow/cold pool winds increases. The issue with this is that it would likely become a QLCS, making the hazardous wind gusts more widespread and making any tornadoes hard to see. As we get into the late afternoon and evening hours, the storms should push east through the area. If both areas form, they should begin to merge together close to Highway 25. There could be some strong supercells if the first cluster form in NW Kansas and isn't quickly overtaken by the line from Colorado. Be alert for the potential for very large hail and maybe a strong tornado if this occurs. Otherwise, the cluster and line should sweep through the area north of I-70, producing large hail, plenty of wind gusts above 60 mph (maybe pushing 80-90 mph), and a tornado or two. The majority of the storms should move out of the area by midnight central time. There may still be additional storms that develop with the 500mb trough remaining upstream and outflows from earlier storms, but the threats should be much lower. We may be able to get some marginal severe weather out of any lingering storms. Otherwise, temperatures should remain in the 50s and 60s with moisture continuing to wrap around the low and into the area. This could also allow for some fog to develop mainly along the Nebraska border closer to sunrise. Tomorrow, the upper trough axis is forecast to near more of the Four Corners region, though ensemble guidance suggests that it may lag a bit further to the west. This could give the area another round of severe weather, similar to Saturday with little change in the environment. The further south and west the surface low is dragged, the less the area will be filled with dry air and the more instability we will have for storms. If the low does move more into or over the area, we would instead run the risk of some critical fire weather conditions due to the dry air and with wind gusts nearing 25-30 mph. In this case, the severe weather coverage would be confined again to the northern portions of the area. Should the severe weather develop, it will likely follow a similar time table of starting around 2-4pm MT near the Tri-State border area. The storms are then forecast to push east/northeast, which may be the difference of the storms leaving the area instead of pushing across. All hazards would again be possible. The other area we would be watching is along the dryline if it is in our area. Storms are forecast to fire up east of the dryline and push east, again with all hazards. Likely, this would only impact those east of Highway 83, if at all. Regardless of which/any storm activity that forms, the severe threat should end close to 9pm-12am CT as the low diffuses and the support wanes (as long as there are not a bunch of outflow boundaries in the area). One thing to be wary of both days is the potential for blowing dust along the leading edge of storm outflow. The area has still been somewhat dry, with dust likely to kick up if winds gust above 50 mph. This could lead to brownout conditions, especially ahead of any organized line of storms. The threat may be lessened Sunday if Saturday's storms due cluster enough to provide areas with an inch or two of rain. Monday, the upper trough axis is forecast to begin pushing east into the Plains while also broadening. This should begin to push the moisture and the surface low off to the east. With this, the chance and risk for severe weather should lower across the area. This doesn't mean we will be in the clear, as those east of Highway 83 still have some risk if the trough does not push east fast enough. But ensemble guidance is favoring a fast progression so the chances are now on the lower side. The issue is that it will increase the winds as a colder air mass will then begin to push in from the northwest. With a stronger pressure gradient, winds could reach 15-30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. This poses a problem both for fire weather conditions and blowing dust. If the dry air moves in fast enough or gets pulled further north, critical fire weather conditions could develop as RH lowers into the teens. If we do not get much in the form of rain over the weekend, then blowing dust may occur with the strong winds. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... Issued at 1216 PM MDT Sat May 16 2026 Tuesday is cooler in the wake of a cold frontal passage. High temperatures are expected in the upper 50s to upper 60s. Our region is forecast to be under a southwest upper-level flow as a trough develops west of the Rocky Mountains throughout the week. Overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, there is around a 40% chance of showers for the northwest county warning area (CWA). Conditions remain cool Wednesday and Thursday with high temperatures forecast in the 60s. Southwest upper-level flow will persist through the week supporting chances for afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Probability of Precipitation (PoPs) are around 30-40% for the CWA. Ensembles are in disagreement on when the aforementioned trough ejects eastward and takes us out of the persistent southwest flow, but it will likely move on after Friday. A slight warming trend begins Friday with high temperatures forecast in the 70s for Friday and 80s for Sunday. Chances for showers and thunderstorms remain for Friday through Saturday with PoPs around 20-30% for the eastern CWA as several shortwaves pass through the area. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 1121 AM MDT Sat May 16 2026 For KGLD... VFR conditions are forecast through the period. There is a 20-30% chance that storms may form near or over the terminal between 22-02Z. If these storms form, they could be severe with large hail and wind gusts over 50 kts. After 03Z, the storm threat should end and winds shift to out of the southeast. There may be some brief low level wind shear at 200ft with winds potentially switching to out of the south at speeds around 40 kts. Finally, there is a low chance for fog and/or low ceilings below 3000ft after 12Z. Keep an eye on the weather as KGLD is close to a fair amount of hazards the next 24 hours. For KMCK... VFR conditions are forecast through about 10-12Z when some lower ceilings around 1000ft and fog are possible. Before that, a line of storms is expected to move through the terminal, likely producing wind gusts above 40-50 kts. The current forecast time is 02Z, but could be anywhere between 00-04Z. Once the storms pass, there may be some brief low level wind shear around 200-400ft as winds shift to be more from the south and try to reach 40 kts. && .GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KS...None. CO...None. NE...None. && SHORT TERM...KAK LONG TERM...Rhoades AVIATION...KAK
Hazardous weather outlook, May 16, 3:11 PM MDT, 2 hours 27 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Goodland KS 311 PM MDT Sat May 16 2026 COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-172115- Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne CO-Cheyenne KS-Rawlins-Decatur-Norton- Sherman-Thomas-Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita- Dundy-Hitchcock-Red Willow- 311 PM MDT Sat May 16 2026 /411 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026/ This hazardous weather outlook is for extreme southwest Nebraska... northwest Kansas and east central Colorado. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT... A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for most of the Tri-State area. 1 to 3 inch hail, 60 to 80 MPH winds, blowing dust, and tornadoes are possible. Damage to life and property is possible from severe storms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH SATURDAY... Severe storms are possible Sunday and Monday afternoons. 1 to 3 inch hail, 60 to 80 MPH winds, blowing dust, and tornadoes are possible. Damage to life and property is possible from severe storms. Prolonged critical fire weather conditions are possible Sunday and Monday afternoons, mainly along and southeast of a line from Norton, KS to Cheyenne Wells, CO. Rapid wildfire growth is possible during this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions.
In the hours before
Local storm report, May 16, 5:31 PM MDT, 7 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
531 PM MDT Sat May 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0520 PM Hail 2 SW Goodland 39.33N 101.73W
05/16/2026 E1.50 Inch Sherman KS Public
Report from mPING: Ping Pong Ball (1.50
in.).
0527 PM Hail Goodland 39.35N 101.71W
05/16/2026 E2.00 Inch Sherman KS Public
Report from mPING: Hen Egg (2.00 in.).
&&Local storm report, May 16, 5:32 PM MDT, 6 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
532 PM MDT Sat May 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0531 PM Hail Goodland 39.35N 101.71W
05/16/2026 M2.00 Inch Sherman KS Public
Public report of 2 inch hail in Gulick Park.
&&
CALocal storm report, May 16, 5:33 PM MDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
533 PM MDT Sat May 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0531 PM Hail 1 NNW Goodland 39.36N 101.71W
05/16/2026 E1.75 Inch Sherman KS Public
Social Media report of a golf ball size hail
picture.
&&
DHLocal storm report, May 16, 5:35 PM MDT, 3 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
535 PM MDT Sat May 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0534 PM Hail Goodland 39.35N 101.71W
05/16/2026 M2.00 Inch Sherman KS Public
Social Media report of 2 inch hail.
&&
DHLocal storm report, May 16, 5:36 PM MDT, 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
536 PM MDT Sat May 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0530 PM Hail 1 NNW Goodland 39.36N 101.72W
05/16/2026 M2.00 Inch Sherman KS Trained Spotter
Golf Ball Size; 300 block of Sycamore Road
in Goodland.
&&
CLDLocal storm report, May 16, 5:37 PM MDT, 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
537 PM MDT Sat May 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0530 PM Hail Goodland 39.35N 101.71W
05/16/2026 M2.00 Inch Sherman KS Public
Public report of 2 inch hail. 11th and
Sherman.
&&
DHThe office that day
Everything else NWS Goodland, KS issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 8:08 AM MDT | Special Weather Statement | GLD | Gove | 22 min |
| May 16, 8:10 AM MDT | Special Weather Statement | GLD | Thomas | 20 min |
| May 16, 8:29 AM MDT | Special Weather Statement | GLD | Thomas | 16 min |
| May 16, 12:26 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | GLD | Rawlins | 19 min |
| May 16, 3:51 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Cheyenne, Sherman | 39 min |
| May 16, 4:27 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Sherman | 48 min |
| May 16, 4:57 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Sherman | 63 min |
| May 16, 5:02 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Logan, Sherman, Thomas, Wallace | 43 min |
| May 16, 5:08 PM MDT | Dust Storm Warning | GLD | Sherman | 37 min |
| May 16, 5:18 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Cheyenne, Sherman | 57 min |
| May 16, 5:26 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Sherman, Thomas | 49 min |
| May 16, 5:34 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Wallace | 56 min |
| May 16, 5:39 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Thomas | 51 min |
| May 16, 5:53 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Cheyenne, Sherman | 67 min |
| May 16, 5:56 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Cheyenne | 49 min |
| May 16, 5:57 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GLD | Thomas | 33 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Kansas, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes 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.