Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 5, NWS Wichita, KS
NWS Wichita, KS issued this tornado warning at Apr 23, 2026, 6:26 PM CDT for Chase County, Marion County, Kansas. It was in force for 14 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued.
The facts
- Issued
- Apr 23, 2026, 6:26 PM CDT (23:26 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 23, 2026, 6:40 PM CDT
- In force
- 14 min
- Issued by
- NWS Wichita, KS
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 2.0 in
Counties Chase County, KS, Marion County, KS
The radar
The Wichita radar (KICT), 85 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:28 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 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 watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 2:04 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 9 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Topeka, KS (KTOP), launched 12:00Z, 11.4 hours before the alert went out and 132 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
- 759 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -225 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 565 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 24 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 307 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 437 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 2.5
The text
As transmitted.
483
WFUS53 KICT 232326
TORICT
KSC017-115-240015-
/O.NEW.KICT.TO.W.0005.260423T2326Z-260424T0015Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Wichita KS
626 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
The National Weather Service in Wichita has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southwestern Chase County in east central Kansas...
Southeastern Marion County in central Kansas...
* Until 715 PM CDT.
* At 626 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Florence, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and hail up to two inches in diameter.
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...
Matfield Green, Cedar Point, and Wonsevu.
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 3813 9694 3827 9691 3836 9656 3815 9654
TIME...MOT...LOC 2326Z 254DEG 24KT 3822 9686
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN
$$
KLEINSASSER2 follow-up statements
507
WWUS53 KICT 232334
SVSICT
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
634 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
KSC017-115-240015-
/O.CON.KICT.TO.W.0005.000000T0000Z-260424T0015Z/
Chase KS-Marion KS-
634 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN CHASE AND SOUTHEASTERN MARION COUNTIES...
At 634 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles east of Florence, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and golf ball size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Matfield Green, Cedar Point, and Wonsevu.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3813 9694 3827 9691 3836 9656 3815 9654
TIME...MOT...LOC 2334Z 258DEG 23KT 3822 9680
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$
KLEINSASSER385 WWUS53 KICT 232340 SVSICT Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Wichita KS 640 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 KSC017-115-232350- /O.CAN.KICT.TO.W.0005.000000T0000Z-260424T0015Z/ Chase KS-Marion KS- 640 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN CHASE AND SOUTHEASTERN MARION COUNTIES IS CANCELLED... The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for central and east central Kansas. Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect. && LAT...LON 3813 9694 3827 9691 3836 9656 3815 9654 TIME...MOT...LOC 2338Z 254DEG 24KT 3823 9675 $$ KLEINSASSER
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 23, 3:36 PM CDT, 2 hours 50 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Scattered strong to severe storms likely this afternoon into tonight mainly for areas along and east of I-135. All hazards will be possible with large hail up to 2 inches, damaging winds up to 70 mph, and potentially a couple tornadoes. Heavy rainfall may cause localized flooding.
- Mostly dry conditions are expected on Friday with additional storm chances returning on Saturday and Sunday. Strong to severe storms will be possible both days. Stay tuned for forecast updates!
Area forecast discussion, Apr 23, 3:36 PM CDT, 2 hours 50 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 336 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Scattered strong to severe storms likely this afternoon into tonight mainly for areas along and east of I-135. All hazards will be possible with large hail up to 2 inches, damaging winds up to 70 mph, and potentially a couple tornadoes. Heavy rainfall may cause localized flooding. - Mostly dry conditions are expected on Friday with additional storm chances returning on Saturday and Sunday. Strong to severe storms will be possible both days. Stay tuned for forecast updates! && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 332 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 Currently, there is an upper shortwave trough over Alberta stretching into the Northern Rockies with additional troughing extending from the Northern Plains into the Central Rockies. At the surface, a low is over southern Manitoba with a cold front draped down through MN/IA/NE/KS connecting to another low in central/southern KS. A dryline extends from the southern KS low into western TX. The pressure gradient has increased across the area resulting in breezy/gusty winds in eastern KS, leading to efficient moisture advection and dewpoints in the 60s. As we continue to move into later this afternoon and tonight, the cold front will continue to push east/southeast through KS. Storm initiation is expected along and east of the cold front around 4PM as convergence and low-level lift increases. Along and east of I- 135, instability will be between 2500-3000 J/kg with 40-50 kts of effective shear, and steep mid-level lapse rates. Initial storm development will be more discrete which will support large hail with sizes up to 2 inches along with damaging wind gusts. While storms will likely grow upscale quickly into a line of storms especially closer to central KS given the bulk shear vector is oriented parallel to the front, the primary threat will gradually transition this evening to damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph. For areas farther south near the KS/OK border, the LLJ will continue to increase into this evening. At the same time, low-level wind shear will also increase as well as 0-3km SRH with values over 300 m2/s2. This will support a couple tornadoes in south-central KS into the Flint Hills. Given this risk, a Tornado Watch has been issued for south-central and portions of central and southeast KS. Between 9-11PM, convection is expected to be all linear as the storms to continue to push into southeast KS, which will decrease the hail and tornado threat with the primary threat becoming damaging winds and heavy rainfall. After midnight, the severe threat will decrease with showers and storms gradually exiting southeast KS into early Friday morning. After a lull in showers and storms on Friday, another round of strong to severe storms will be possible on Saturday and Sunday as another upper trough moves into the southwestern CONUS. For Saturday, a shortwave will move into the Central Plains, initiating storms in western KS that are progged to move eastward in the afternoon into the nighttime hours. With diurnal heating, instability will increase to 1500-2000 J/kg with steep mid-level lapse rates and decent effective shear. This will support damaging wind gusts and potentially large hail. A couple brief tornadoes cannot be completely ruled out at this time. Depending on how activity evolves on Saturday, this may affect Sunday's severe weather potential. Model guidance continues to hint at a deeper shortwave moving into the area with the 500 mb jet nosing into central KS by Sunday afternoon. At the surface, southerly winds will aid in dewpoints returning to the 60s; however, in our area there doesn't seem to be a defined surface boundary on Sunday afternoon though farther south/southwest a dryline looks to setup in parts of southwest KS into western TX. Given this is still a few days out, forecast details will continue to be refined, stay tuned! As we move into early next week, a break in active weather is expected with mild temperatures in the 70s. Shower and storm chances may return to the forecast mid to late in the work week, though its a bit far out to dive into the details of this activity. Continue to check back for forecast updates. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 1247 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 The frontal boundary has cleared RSL and GBD with clearing skies and northerly winds. Cigs are lifting at other sites with MVFR cigs remaining for southeast Kansas. As the front marches eastward, storms will fire along the boundary. Exact location for storm initiation is still rather uncertain, so PROB30s were utilized for HUT, ICT, and SLN where probabilities are lower. Storms will reach southeast Kansas after 00Z. Northerly winds and clearing skies are expected behind the front during the overnight hours. Northeasterly winds will increase above 10 knots between 14-16Z. && .ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && DISCUSSION...GC AVIATION...AMD
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 23, 3:45 PM CDT, 2 hours 41 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wichita KS 345 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-242045- 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- 345 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of Central Kansas, South Central Kansas and Southeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...Tonight Scattered storms will develop later this afternoon across Central Kansas and last through late tonight in Southeastern Kansas. Strong to severe storms may produce isolated tornadoes, up to 2-inch hail, damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, and heavy rainfall. A Tornado Watch has been issued through 9pm for portions of Central, South- central, and Southeastern Kansas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Additional periodic chances for thunderstorm may occur Saturday through early Monday. Strong to severe storms cannot be ruled out Saturday and Sunday. More thunderstorm chances are in the forecast for mid-week next week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed late this afternoon into 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 23, 6:03 PM CDT, 23 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wichita KS
603 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0553 PM Hail 5 S Mayfield 37.20N 97.55W
04/23/2026 E2.50 Inch Sumner KS Storm Chaser
&&Local storm report, Apr 23, 6:05 PM CDT, 21 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wichita KS
605 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0550 PM Hail 7 SSW Mayfield 37.17N 97.59W
04/23/2026 M3.50 Inch Sumner KS Trained Spotter
Report with picture came in via social
media.
&&Local storm report, Apr 23, 6:11 PM CDT, 15 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wichita KS
611 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0608 PM Hail 4 NNW Cedar Point 38.32N 96.84W
04/23/2026 M1.25 Inch Chase KS Trained Spotter
&&Local storm report, Apr 23, 6:18 PM CDT, 8 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wichita KS
618 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0615 PM Hail Peabody 38.17N 97.11W
04/23/2026 E1.50 Inch Marion KS Law Enforcement
&&Local storm report, Apr 23, 6:25 PM CDT, 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wichita KS
625 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0556 PM Hail 4 ESE Marion 38.32N 96.95W
04/23/2026 E2.75 Inch Marion KS Fire Dept/Rescue
&&Local storm report, Apr 23, 6:26 PM CDT, 0 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wichita KS
626 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0617 PM Hail Peabody 38.17N 97.11W
04/23/2026 M2.25 Inch Marion KS Fire Dept/Rescue
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Wichita, KS issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 4:00 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ICT | McPherson, Marion, Saline | 45 min |
| Apr 23, 4:05 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ICT | Harvey, McPherson, Marion, Reno | 55 min |
| Apr 23, 4:43 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ICT | McPherson, Marion, Saline | 62 min |
| Apr 23, 5:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ICT | Chase, Marion | 62 min |
| Apr 23, 5:40 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ICT | Sumner | 65 min |
| Apr 23, 6:17 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ICT | Butler, Chase, Harvey, Marion | 58 min |
| Apr 23, 6:18 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ICT | Butler, Cowley, Sedgwick, Sumner | 39 min |
| Apr 23, 6:35 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ICT | Sumner | 55 min |
| Apr 23, 6:46 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ICT | Butler, Chase, Harvey, Marion | 44 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.