Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 5, NWS Wichita, KS

April 23, 2026Chase County, Marion County, Kansas

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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Apr 23, 2:04 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC9 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Topeka, KS at 12:00Z on 2026-04-23Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 759 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Topeka, KS at 12:00Z on 2026-04-23The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 307 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
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

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

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

$$

KLEINSASSER
2 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

$$

KLEINSASSER
385 
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.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 23, 4:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningICTMcPherson, Marion, Saline45 min
Apr 23, 4:05 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningICTHarvey, McPherson, Marion, Reno55 min
Apr 23, 4:43 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningICTMcPherson, Marion, Saline62 min
Apr 23, 5:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatICTChase, Marion62 min
Apr 23, 5:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatICTSumner65 min
Apr 23, 6:17 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatICTButler, Chase, Harvey, Marion58 min
Apr 23, 6:18 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatICTButler, Cowley, Sedgwick, Sumner39 min
Apr 23, 6:35 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatICTSumner55 min
Apr 23, 6:46 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedICTButler, Chase, Harvey, Marion44 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.