Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 4, NWS Wichita, KS

April 11, 2026Reno County, Kansas

NWS Wichita, KS issued this tornado warning at Apr 11, 2026, 4:55 PM CDT for Reno County, Kansas. It was in force for 35 min. 4 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 11, 2026, 4:55 PM CDT (21:55 UTC)
Expired
Apr 11, 2026, 5:30 PM CDT
In force
35 min
Issued by
NWS Wichita, KS
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.75 in

County Reno County, KS

The radar

The Wichita radar (KICT), 44 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:55 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 11, 4:55 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG5 Ne Pretty Prairie, KSSemi truck and trailer blown over.
Apr 11, 5:05 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG6 Ne Pretty Prairie, KSSemi rolled over near K14 and Parallel Road. Another separate vehicle damaged nearby.
Apr 11, 5:08 PM CDTFUNNEL CLOUD6 Nne Mt Vernon, KSFunnell cloud wrapped back in the rain.
Apr 11, 5:21 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG5 Sse Haven, KSPower lines knocked down near intersection of East Parallel Rd and Victory Rd.

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

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado 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

Topeka, KS (KTOP), launched 12:00Z, 9.9 hours before the alert went out and 236 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, Topeka, KS at 12:00Z on 2026-04-11Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Topeka, KS at 12:00Z on 2026-04-11The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 314 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
678 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
37 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
314 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
339 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

591 
WFUS53 KICT 112155
TORICT
KSC155-112230-
/O.NEW.KICT.TO.W.0004.260411T2155Z-260411T2230Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Wichita KS
455 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

The National Weather Service in Wichita has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern Reno County in south central Kansas...

* Until 530 PM CDT.

* At 455 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Pretty Prairie, moving east at 20 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and golf 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
  southeastern Reno County, including the following locations...
  Cheney Lake and Cheney State Park.

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 3785 9803 3797 9770 3773 9770 3773 9800
TIME...MOT...LOC 2155Z 268DEG 19KT 3778 9792 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN

$$

CUELLAR
3 follow-up statements
340 
WWUS53 KICT 112204
SVSICT

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
504 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

KSC155-112230-
/O.CON.KICT.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-260411T2230Z/
Reno KS-
504 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN RENO COUNTY...

At 504 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles east of Pretty Prairie, moving east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and golf 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.

Locations impacted include...
Haven, Cheney Lake, and Cheney State Park.

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.

Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 3786 9799 3797 9770 3773 9770 3773 9795
TIME...MOT...LOC 2204Z 265DEG 15KT 3780 9788 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN

$$

CUELLAR
868 
WWUS53 KICT 112219
SVSICT

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
519 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

KSC155-112230-
/O.CON.KICT.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-260411T2230Z/
Reno KS-
519 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN RENO COUNTY...

At 518 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Haven, moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and golf 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.

Locations impacted include...
Haven.

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.

Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 3789 9789 3797 9770 3778 9770 3777 9779
TIME...MOT...LOC 2218Z 264DEG 19KT 3782 9778 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN

$$

CUELLAR
844 
WWUS53 KICT 112226
SVSICT

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
526 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

KSC155-112235-
/O.EXP.KICT.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-260411T2230Z/
Reno KS-
526 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN RENO COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT
530 PM CDT...

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. 

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Wichita.

&&

LAT...LON 3789 9789 3797 9770 3778 9770 3777 9779
TIME...MOT...LOC 2225Z 268DEG 19KT 3782 9773 

$$

CUELLAR

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 Wichita, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Apr 11, 2:36 PM CDT, 2 hours 19 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Isolated to widely scattered showers/thunderstorms through mid this evening. A marginally severe thunderstorm can't be ruled out.
  • Numerous/widespread showers and thunderstorms later tonight through early afternoon Sunday. Severe weather not expected.
  • An isolated severe thunderstorm possible both Sunday and Monday late afternoon-evening.
  • Better chances for thunderstorms and associated severe weather late Tuesday, possibly lingering into Wednesday.
  • Additional thunderstorm chances possible next Friday- Saturday.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 11, 2:36 PM CDT, 2 hours 19 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Wichita KS
236 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Isolated to widely scattered showers/thunderstorms through
  mid this evening. A marginally severe thunderstorm can't be
  ruled out.

- Numerous/widespread showers and thunderstorms later tonight
  through early afternoon Sunday. Severe weather not expected.

- An isolated severe thunderstorm possible both Sunday and
  Monday late afternoon-evening.

- Better chances for thunderstorms and associated severe
  weather late Tuesday, possibly lingering into Wednesday.

- Additional thunderstorm chances possible next Friday-
  Saturday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 224 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

THUNDERSTORMS/SEVERE WEATHER CHANCES:

THIS AFTERNOON--EVENING...A subtle mid-level wave approaching from
the west amidst a moist, unstable, and uncapped airmass should
support isolated to widely scattered hit-or-miss
showers/thunderstorms areawide. Poor mid-level lapse rates and
marginal deep layer shear should preclude widespread severe weather,
although the marginal buoyancy/shear combination in conjunction with
the approaching mid-level wave may support a marginally severe
thunderstorm through 10 PM, especially west of the KS Turnpike.
Additionally, anomalously high precipitable waters will support
pockets of heavy rainfall.

LATER TONIGHT--SUNDAY MORNING...Another subtle wave approaching from
Mexico will be the focus for widespread/numerous showers and
thunderstorms well after midnight through midday Sunday, with the
highest chances generally along and southeast of the Kansas
Turnpike. Once again, the primary threat will be pockets of heavy
rainfall and perhaps some localized minor flooding given the deep
fetch of anomalous precipitable waters.

SUNDAY LATE AFTERNOON--EVENING...In wake of the departing upper
wave, thinking large-scale subsidence will overspread the forecast
area by late Sunday, which should tend to suppress additional
thunderstorm development. However, some modest dryline convergence
may support an isolated thunderstorm or two after 5-6 PM generally
along/west of I-135. Given the increasingly favorable combination of
vertical shear and buoyancy, severe weather will be possible with
any storm that can manage to develop.

MONDAY LATE AFTERNOON-EVENING...Similar to Sunday, Monday's severe
weather threat is conditional, as storm development will likely
struggle given only modest dryline convergence and little to no
upper forcing. However, if a storm or two is able to develop, a very
favorable combination of strong buoyancy and 40-50 kts of shear
oriented perpendicular to the dryline would support supercells
capable of all severe weather hazards. Area and time would be mainly
west of the Flint Hills after 5 PM.

TUESDAY AFTERNOON--WEDNESDAY...This period appears to have the
greatest potential for severe thunderstorms, as a potent shortwave
approaching from the west interacts with a very moist/unstable warm
sector along/east of a sharpening dryline. While there remains some
forecast uncertainty given this is still 3-4 days out (namely robust
dryline convergence for storm initiation may be lacking), the degree
of buoyancy and shear would support the greatest severe weather
threat, with supercells capable of all severe hazards. Regarding
timing, the latest ECMWF keeps the thunderstorm threat through
Wednesday evening given a slower shortwave motion. Stay tuned as we
refine forecast details in the coming days.

NEXT FRIDAY--SATURDAY...Deterministic and ensemble consensus
supports a reloading moist/unstable warm sector by late week, as
another western CONUS upper trough deepens. This could support
another round of thunderstorms (possibly severe?) as we head into
Friday--Saturday. Still lots of uncertainty this far out, stay
tuned.

TEMPERATURES/WIND:

Given rather persistent western CONUS troughing and associated lee
troughing over the High Plains, breezy/gusty south winds and above
average temperatures look to likely persist through much of next
week. The warmest days look to be Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday,
when low-level thickness supports high temperatures in the 80s for
most across the forecast area. As we head into next weekend, model
consensus supports a cool down in wake of a strong cold front, with
potential below average temperatures possible.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1241 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

A upper level wave will move across the region this afternoon
with scattered showers/storms developing over the area.
Meanwhile gusty south winds will prevail across the area into
the evening hours. Another round of showers/storms is expected
late tonight mainly for locations along and east of the Kansas
turnpike. This activity will spread slowly eastward and linger
over southeast Kansas during the morning hours on Sunday. In
addition, low clouds in MVFR/IFR category will develop late
tonight over southern and southeast Kansas.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 224 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

MONDAY--TUESDAY...Lower relative humidity west of a dryline amidst
continued breezy/gusty south to southwest winds may support VERY
HIGH grassland fire danger generally west of Interstate 135.
Otherwise, spring green-up amidst rather high daytime humidity
values should keep grassfire danger in check for most areas
generally east of I-135 the next 7 days.

&&

.ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...ADK
AVIATION...CDJ
FIRE WEATHER...ADK
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 11, 4:53 PM CDT, 2 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Wichita KS
453 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-122200-
Russell-Lincoln-Barton-Ellsworth-Saline-Rice-McPherson-Marion-Chase-
Reno-Harvey-Butler-Greenwood-Woodson-Allen-Kingman-Sedgwick-Harper-
Sumner-Cowley-Elk-Wilson-Neosho-Chautauqua-Montgomery-Labette-
453 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of Central Kansas,
South Central Kansas and Southeast Kansas.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Isolated to widely scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected
across the region through mid to late evening. While widespread
severe weather is not expected, a few severe thunderstorms are
possible, capable of golfball sized hail, 70 mph winds, and perhaps
an isolated and brief tornado. The threat area will be mainly west
of the Kansas Turnpike before 10 PM.

Later tonight, chances for showers and thunderstorms will increase
from the southwest, mainly over southern Kansas. Locally heavy
rainfall will be the primary hazard.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

Numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected over mainly
southeast Kansas Sunday morning through early afternoon. Pockets of
heavy rainfall and localized minor flooding will be the primary
hazard.

An isolated thunderstorm or two can't be ruled out late Sunday
afternoon and evening, mainly west of Interstate 135. If a storm is
able to develop, severe weather is possible.

Similar to Sunday, an isolated thunderstorm or two can't be ruled
out late Monday afternoon and evening. If a storm is able to
develop, severe weather is possible.

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible Tuesday afternoon
and evening, and possibly again Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Strong to severe thunderstorms capable of all severe hazards are
possible. Stay tuned as we refine forecast details in the coming
days.

Another round of thunderstorms is possible Friday...stay tuned.

Very high grassland fire danger is possible generally west of
Interstate 135 Monday and Tuesday, due to low humidity and gusty
south winds.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated tonight.

&&

For a graphical version of this information, see our webpage at:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=ict

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 11, 4:41 PM CDT, 14 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wichita KS
441 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

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

0433 PM     Hail             8 NE Penalosa           37.78N 98.19W
04/11/2026  M1.75 Inch       Reno               KS   Public

            mPING report.

&&

ADK

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 10, 10:14 PM CDTDense Fog AdvisoryICTBarton, Ellsworth, Lincoln, Rice, Russell11 hr
Apr 11, 4:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningICTKingman, Reno35 min
Apr 11, 4:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatICTReno63 min
Apr 11, 4:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatICTKingman45 min
Apr 11, 5:17 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatICTHarvey, Reno, Sedgwick58 min
Apr 11, 6:12 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatICTButler, Harvey, Marion, Sedgwick63 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.