Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 4, NWS Wichita, KS
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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 11, 4:55 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 5 Ne Pretty Prairie, KS | Semi truck and trailer blown over. |
| Apr 11, 5:05 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 6 Ne Pretty Prairie, KS | Semi rolled over near K14 and Parallel Road. Another separate vehicle damaged nearby. |
| Apr 11, 5:08 PM CDT | FUNNEL CLOUD | 6 Nne Mt Vernon, KS | Funnell cloud wrapped back in the rain. |
| Apr 11, 5:21 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 5 Sse Haven, KS | Power 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.
- 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
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
$$
CUELLAR3 follow-up statements
340
WWUS53 KICT 112204
SVSICT
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
504 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026
KSC155-112230-
/O.CON.KICT.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-260411T2230Z/
Reno KS-
504 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN RENO COUNTY...
At 504 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles east of Pretty Prairie, moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and golf ball size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Haven, Cheney Lake, and Cheney State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!
&&
LAT...LON 3786 9799 3797 9770 3773 9770 3773 9795
TIME...MOT...LOC 2204Z 265DEG 15KT 3780 9788
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$
CUELLAR868
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
$$
CUELLAR844 WWUS53 KICT 112226 SVSICT Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Wichita KS 526 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026 KSC155-112235- /O.EXP.KICT.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-260411T2230Z/ Reno KS- 526 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN RENO COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 530 PM CDT... The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area. To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service Wichita. && LAT...LON 3789 9789 3797 9770 3778 9770 3777 9779 TIME...MOT...LOC 2225Z 268DEG 19KT 3782 9773 $$ 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.
&&
ADKThe office that day
Everything else NWS Wichita, KS issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 10, 10:14 PM CDT | Dense Fog Advisory | ICT | Barton, Ellsworth, Lincoln, Rice, Russell | 11 hr |
| Apr 11, 4:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ICT | Kingman, Reno | 35 min |
| Apr 11, 4:27 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ICT | Reno | 63 min |
| Apr 11, 4:45 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ICT | Kingman | 45 min |
| Apr 11, 5:17 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ICT | Harvey, Reno, Sedgwick | 58 min |
| Apr 11, 6:12 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ICT | Butler, Harvey, Marion, Sedgwick | 63 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.