Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 7, NWS Wichita, KS
NWS Wichita, KS issued this tornado warning at Apr 23, 2026, 7:21 PM CDT for 6 counties in Kansas. It was in force for 54 min. 6 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 23, 2026, 7:21 PM CDT (00:21 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 23, 2026, 8:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 54 min
- Issued by
- NWS Wichita, KS
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Observed
- Hail
- 1.75 in
Counties Butler County, KS, Chase County, KS, Greenwood County, KS, Harvey County, KS, Marion County, KS, Sedgwick County, KS
The radar
The Wichita radar (KICT), 77 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:24 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 23, 7:24 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | 9 Ne Matfield Green, KS | Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.). |
| Apr 23, 7:55 PM CDT | HAIL 1.25 | 5 Nnw Benton, KS | Delayed report. Relayed via NWS employee. |
| Apr 23, 8:00 PM CDT | HAIL 1.25 | Benton, KS | Relayed via image from X. |
| Apr 23, 8:05 PM CDT | HAIL 0.88 | Benton, KS | |
| Apr 23, 8:15 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | 2 Sw Madison, KS | Relayed via Eureka fire. |
| Apr 23, 8:23 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | Towanda, KS | Relayed via emergency manager. Also reported street flooding in usual spots. |
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 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 00:00Z, 0.4 hours before the alert went out and 142 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
- 1551 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -24 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1022 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 29 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 203 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 228 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 1.3
- Supercell composite
- 6.5
The text
As transmitted.
960
WFUS53 KICT 240021
TORICT
KSC015-017-073-079-115-173-240115-
/O.NEW.KICT.TO.W.0007.260424T0021Z-260424T0115Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Wichita KS
721 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
The National Weather Service in Wichita has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Northeastern Sedgwick County in south central Kansas...
Southeastern Harvey County in south central Kansas...
Southern Chase County in east central Kansas...
Northern Butler County in south central Kansas...
Southeastern Marion County in central Kansas...
Northern Greenwood County in southeastern Kansas...
* Until 815 PM CDT.
* At 720 PM CDT, tornado producing storms were located along a line
extending from 14 miles south of Cottonwood Falls to near Potwin to
Valley Center, moving southeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Brief tornadoes and golf ball size hail.
SOURCE...There have been several brief landspout tornadoes
reported along this line of storms.
IMPACT...Expect damage to mobile homes, roofs, and vehicles.
* Locations impacted include...
Wichita, El Dorado, Andover, Park City, Valley Center, Bel Aire,
Maize, Towanda, Colwich, Benton, Whitewater, Madison, Kechi,
Andale, Potwin, Elbing, Burns, Northeast Wichita, Cassoday, and
Bazaar.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 135 between Mile Markers 11 and 24.
Interstate 35 between Mile Markers 67 and 116.
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.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3777 9766 3807 9710 3836 9636 3836 9635
3817 9635 3817 9596 3812 9596 3789 9660
3772 9714
TIME...MOT...LOC 0020Z 295DEG 19KT 3817 9644 3798 9694 3784 9740
TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$
KLEINSASSER3 follow-up statements
435
WWUS53 KICT 240035
SVSICT
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
735 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
KSC015-017-073-079-115-173-240115-
/O.CON.KICT.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260424T0115Z/
Sedgwick KS-Harvey KS-Chase KS-Butler KS-Marion KS-Greenwood KS-
735 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 815 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN SEDGWICK...SOUTHEASTERN HARVEY...SOUTHERN CHASE...
NORTHERN BUTLER...SOUTHEASTERN MARION AND NORTHERN GREENWOOD
COUNTIES...
At 733 PM CDT, landspout tornado producing storms were located along
a line extending from 12 miles west of Madison to near Potwin to
Maize, moving southeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Several brief landspout tornadoes and golf ball size hail.
SOURCE...Numerous spotters have reported several brief landspout
tornadoes with this line of storms.
IMPACT...Expect damage to mobile homes, roofs, and vehicles.
Locations impacted include...
Wichita, El Dorado, Andover, Park City, Valley Center, Bel Aire,
Maize, Towanda, Colwich, Benton, Whitewater, Madison, Kechi, Potwin,
Burns, Northeast Wichita, Cassoday, Bazaar, Matfield Green, and
Thrall.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 135 between Mile Markers 11 and 22.
Interstate 35 between Mile Markers 67 and 116.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a
sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile
home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and
protect yourself from flying debris.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3777 9758 3806 9710 3834 9635 3817 9635
3817 9596 3812 9596 3789 9660 3772 9714
TIME...MOT...LOC 0033Z 296DEG 12KT 3815 9636 3798 9695 3778 9745
TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$
KLEINSASSER760
WWUS53 KICT 240102
SVSICT
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
802 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
KSC079-115-240110-
/O.CAN.KICT.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260424T0115Z/
Harvey KS-Marion KS-
802 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN HARVEY AND SOUTHEASTERN
MARION COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the warned
area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for south central,
southeastern and east central Kansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3775 9745 3791 9719 3791 9715 3794 9715
3802 9701 3826 9636 3817 9635 3817 9596
3812 9596 3789 9660 3772 9714
TIME...MOT...LOC 0100Z 291DEG 16KT 3815 9632 3794 9682 3772 9729
$$
KSC015-017-073-173-240115-
/O.CON.KICT.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260424T0115Z/
Sedgwick KS-Chase KS-Butler KS-Greenwood KS-
802 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 815 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN SEDGWICK...SOUTHEASTERN CHASE...NORTHERN BUTLER AND
NORTHERN GREENWOOD COUNTIES...
At 800 PM CDT, brief landspout tornado producing storms were located
along a line extending from 9 miles west of Madison to 8 miles north
of El Dorado to near Eastborough, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Brief landspout tornadoes and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Several brief landspout tornadoes have been reported this
evening along this line of storms.
IMPACT...Expect damage to mobile homes, roofs, and vehicles.
Locations impacted include...
Wichita, El Dorado, Andover, Park City, Bel Aire, Towanda, Benton,
Madison, Kechi, Potwin, Northeast Wichita, Cassoday, Matfield Green,
Thrall, El Dorado State Park, El Dorado Lake, and Jabara Airport.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 135 between Mile Markers 11 and 16.
Interstate 35 between Mile Markers 67 and 112.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a
sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile
home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and
protect yourself from flying debris.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3775 9745 3791 9719 3791 9715 3794 9715
3802 9701 3826 9636 3817 9635 3817 9596
3812 9596 3789 9660 3772 9714
TIME...MOT...LOC 0100Z 291DEG 16KT 3815 9632 3794 9682 3772 9729
TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
KLEINSASSER059
WWUS53 KICT 240114
SVSICT
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
814 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
KSC015-017-073-173-240123-
/O.EXP.KICT.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260424T0115Z/
Sedgwick KS-Chase KS-Butler KS-Greenwood KS-
814 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN SEDGWICK...SOUTHEASTERN
CHASE...NORTHERN BUTLER AND NORTHERN GREENWOOD COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE
AT 815 PM CDT...
While a brief landspout tornado cannot be ruled out, the overall
tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been
cancelled. However, quarter size hail and 60 mph winds remain
possible, and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for
the area.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for south central,
southeastern and east central Kansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3775 9745 3791 9719 3791 9715 3794 9715
3802 9701 3826 9636 3817 9635 3817 9596
3812 9596 3789 9660 3772 9714
TIME...MOT...LOC 0113Z 295DEG 19KT 3812 9625 3791 9675 3769 9722
$$
KLEINSASSERWhat 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, 6:56 PM CDT, 25 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, 6:56 PM CDT, 25 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 656 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 /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 637 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 The cold front has moved through portions of central KS shifting winds to northwesterly at RSL, GBD, SLN, and HUT. The front will continue to push southeast/east through the area which will shift winds at ICT to northerly around 03z and CNU around 10z. Further storm development is not anticipated to affect terminal sites in central and south-central KS. As storms continue to progress east/southeast along or ahead of the cold front, CNU will likely see storms between 02-06z. After 06z, vicinity showers are possible with this activity expected to move out of the area early Friday morning. Northeasterly winds will increase to around 10 kts between 14-16z with winds expected to continue shifting to easterly after 20z. && .ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && DISCUSSION...GC AVIATION...GC
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 23, 3:45 PM CDT, 3 hours 36 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, 6:57 PM CDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wichita KS
657 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0651 PM Landspout 5 ESE Newton 38.03N 97.25W
04/23/2026 Harvey KS Trained Spotter
Former NWS Employee reports tornado. Can see
debris cloud.
&&Local storm report, Apr 23, 6:59 PM CDT, 22 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wichita KS
659 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0640 PM Landspout 3 NW Burns 38.12N 96.93W
04/23/2026 Marion KS Law Enforcement
&&Local storm report, Apr 23, 7:06 PM CDT, 15 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wichita KS
706 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0703 PM Hail 5 E Elbing 38.05N 97.03W
04/23/2026 E1.00 Inch Butler KS Law Enforcement
&&Local storm report, Apr 23, 7:08 PM CDT, 13 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wichita KS
708 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0707 PM Hail 2 SW Burns 38.07N 96.91W
04/23/2026 E1.00 Inch Butler KS Fire Dept/Rescue
&&Local storm report, Apr 23, 7:16 PM CDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wichita KS
716 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0613 PM Hail 3 W Wellington 37.26N 97.46W
04/23/2026 E1.00 Inch Sumner KS Trained Spotter
Delayed report.
&&Local storm report, Apr 23, 7:20 PM CDT, 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wichita KS
720 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0716 PM Hail Elbing 38.05N 97.13W
04/23/2026 E0.88 Inch Butler KS Trained Spotter
Relayed via emergency management.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Wichita, KS issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 7:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ICT | Butler, Chase, Greenwood, Harvey, Marion | 62 min |
| Apr 23, 7:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ICT | Cowley, Sumner | 48 min |
| Apr 23, 8:11 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ICT | Butler, Chase, Greenwood, Sedgwick | 64 min |
| Apr 23, 9:32 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ICT | Chautauqua, Montgomery | 58 min |
| Apr 23, 10:20 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ICT | Labette, Montgomery | 26 min |
| Apr 23, 10:23 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ICT | Allen, Neosho, Wilson, Woodson | 24 min |
| Apr 23, 11:07 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ICT | Labette | 53 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.