Alert archive / Kansas / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 10, NWS Topeka, KS

May 31, 2026Lyon County, Kansas

NWS Topeka, KS issued this flash flood warning at May 31, 2026, 10:39 PM CDT for Lyon County, Kansas. It was in force for 4 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
May 31, 2026, 10:39 PM CDT (03:39 UTC)
Expired
Jun 1, 2026, 2:30 AM CDT
In force
4 hr
Issued by
NWS Topeka, KS
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Lyon County, KS

The radar

The Topeka radar (KTWX), 84 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:40 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 flash flood 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 00:00Z, 3.7 hours before the alert went out and 91 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 00:00Z on 2026-06-01Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 3361 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 00:00Z on 2026-06-01The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 86 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
3361 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-3 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
898 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
44 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
86 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
147 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
2.2
Supercell composite
10.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

361 
WGUS53 KTOP 010339
FFWTOP
KSC111-010730-
/O.NEW.KTOP.FF.W.0010.260601T0339Z-260601T0730Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Topeka KS
1039 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southern Lyon County in east central Kansas...

* Until 230 AM CDT.

* At 1039 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain 
  have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are 
  possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected 
  to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
           areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
           other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Olpe.

This includes Kansas Turnpike between mile markers 117 and 121.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the 
dangers of flooding.

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are 
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded 
roads. Find an alternate route.

&&

LAT...LON 3826 9596 3817 9596 3817 9636 3835 9635
      3829 9595 3826 9595

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$
2 follow-up statements
488 
WGUS73 KTOP 010422
FFSTOP

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
1122 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

KSC111-010730-
/O.CON.KTOP.FF.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260601T0730Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Lyon KS-
1122 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 230 AM CDT MONDAY FOR 
SOUTHERN LYON COUNTY...

At 1121 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 3 and 4 inches of rain 
have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are 
possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected 
to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
         drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Olpe.

This includes Kansas Turnpike between mile markers 117 and 121.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the 
dangers of flooding.

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are 
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded 
roads. Find an alternate route.

&&

LAT...LON 3826 9596 3817 9596 3817 9636 3835 9635
      3829 9595 3826 9595

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$
327 
WGUS73 KTOP 010724
FFSTOP

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
224 AM CDT Mon Jun 1 2026

KSC111-010734-
/O.EXP.KTOP.FF.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260601T0730Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Lyon KS-
224 AM CDT Mon Jun 1 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 230 AM CDT EARLY THIS MORNING 
FOR SOUTHERN LYON COUNTY...

The flash flood warning has been replaced with a Flood Warning in 
effect until 11 AM CDT Monday.

&&

LAT...LON 3826 9596 3817 9596 3817 9636 3835 9635
      3829 9595 3826 9595

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Topeka, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at May 31, 6:18 PM CDT, 4 hours 21 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • -A conditional threat for severe storms continues this evening, however, some uncertainty exists in whether storms develop. -Best chances for storms early week will be in central KS. Chances increase eastward later in the week. -Hot and humid to start the week, slightly cooler midweek.
Area forecast discussion, May 31, 6:18 PM CDT, 4 hours 21 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Topeka KS
618 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

-A conditional threat for severe storms continues this evening,
 however, some uncertainty exists in whether storms develop.

-Best chances for storms early week will be in central KS. Chances
 increase eastward later in the week.

-Hot and humid to start the week, slightly cooler midweek.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 148 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

The main focus in the short-term is on the potential for severe
thunderstorms this evening. Looking at the synoptic pattern,
southwest flow persists aloft with an H5 trough axis across the
Northern Plains. Water vapor isn't showing much in the way of
shortwaves within the southwest flow as of midday. At the surface
low pressure is over northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas early
this afternoon. Instability has been building in the wake of this
morning's thunderstorm activity, although cloud cover is hampering
temps/dew points and associated instability a bit. The cloud cover
could continue to be a factor. However, most models agree on a quick
increase in instability into the evening with over 3000 J/kg of
MLCAPE in eastern KS by 21/22Z. The 18Z TOP RAOB still shows a cap
with 14C at 750mb. RAP forecast soundings show a similar cap, but
erode it by around 01/02Z. Some CAMs show storm initiation in our
southeastern counties around that same timeframe. Have kept POPs
only around 30 percent given uncertainty that remains on a forcing
mechanism and whether the cap can be overcome. If storms do develop,
there should be enough instability and deep layer shear to support
supercells with a damaging wind and hail risk. Backed sfc and low
level winds would also aid in a tornado risk with both RAP and HRRR
forecast soundings showing over 100 m2/s2 of 0-1km SRH and over 200
m2/s2 of 0-3km SRH.

Monday looks hot and humid with highs reaching the upper 80s and low
90s. Most of the day should be dry but chances for storms will begin
increasing again Monday night and early Tuesday, mainly in central
KS where models show impacts from a shortwave H5 trough. A mid-level
ridge will build over the area early in the week and a sfc ridge
will move in from the northeast midweek. That set up should keep the
main axis of storms in central KS until the upper ridge advances
eastward as an upper trough moves across the far northern CONUS.
Shortwaves aloft can be tough to predict several days in advance,
but in general, POPs will increase eastward late in the week as that
ridge pushes east. The 12Z run of long range models continue to show
a storm system moving over KS next weekend, which would keep rain
chances around. Temperature-wise, a slight cool down is expected
through midweek due to the sfc ridge nudging in from the east.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z MONDAY/...
Issued at 618 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

Main short-term aviation concern will be thunderstorm development
across east-central KS this evening that may impact KTOP and KFOE.
Kept mention at PROB30 as coverage in storms will remain isolated to
scattered in nature. Following storms this evening, model guidance
continues to be confident in fog development as clear skies build in
across the TAF locations. Ensemble guidance depicts areas further
west, such as KMHK, will see the best chances for visibilities under
1SM (60%+ chances). Areas further east may dip into MVFR and high-
end IFR status, but confidence in dense fog this far east at KTOP
and KFOE is low at this time. Fog should clear off a few hours after
sunrise Monday morning with mostly clear skies and light winds the
remainder of the TAF.

&&

.TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

DISCUSSION...Teefey
AVIATION...Griesemer
Hazardous weather outlook, May 31, 1:58 PM CDT, 8 hours 41 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Topeka KS
158 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

KSZ008>012-020>024-026-034>040-054>056-058-059-011900-
Republic-Washington-Marshall-Nemaha-Brown-Cloud-Clay-Riley-
Pottawatomie-Jackson-Jefferson-Ottawa-Dickinson-Geary-Morris-
Wabaunsee-Shawnee-Douglas-Lyon-Osage-Franklin-Coffey-Anderson-
158 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Kansas, east central
Kansas, north central Kansas and northeast Kansas.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

A few thunderstorms may develop in eastern Kansas this evening. Any
storm that develops could produce damaging wind, and large hail. A
tornado could also occur.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

There is a slight chance for a few additional storms Monday
evening and night. These storms could produce some gusty winds or
small hail, primarily in central Kansas.

&&

More detailed information can be found at:
www.weather.gov/media/top/DssPacket.pdf

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 31, 9:05 PM CDT, 1 hour 34 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Topeka KS
905 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

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

0904 PM     Hail             3 SW Olpe               38.23N 96.21W
05/31/2026  E1.75 Inch       Lyon               KS   Emergency Mngr

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 31, 8:33 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPLyon27 min
May 31, 8:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPLyon27 min
May 31, 8:57 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatTOPLyon48 min
May 31, 9:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPLyon35 min
May 31, 9:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatTOPLyon, Osage47 min
May 31, 9:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPLyon33 min
May 31, 10:12 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPLyon11 min
May 31, 10:18 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPCoffey27 min
May 31, 10:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPCoffey, Lyon30 min
May 31, 10:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatTOPCoffey51 min
May 31, 10:42 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPCoffey19 min
May 31, 10:47 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPDickinson25 min
May 31, 10:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatTOPCoffey, Lyon49 min
May 31, 11:17 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryTOPLyon62 min
May 31, 11:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPLyon26 min
May 31, 11:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPLyon26 min
May 31, 11:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatTOPCoffey52 min
May 31, 11:29 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatTOPCoffey46 min
May 31, 11:40 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPCoffey3 hr
May 31, 11:44 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPCoffey14 min
May 31, 11:47 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPLyon43 min
Jun 1, 12:04 AM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedTOPAnderson, Coffey8 min
Jun 1, 12:09 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatTOPAnderson, Coffey51 min
Jun 1, 12:14 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPMorris, Wabaunsee31 min
Jun 1, 12:18 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPLyon2 hr
Jun 1, 12:31 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPLyon, Wabaunsee30 min
Jun 1, 12:33 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPLyon27 min
Jun 1, 12:37 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatTOPAnderson38 min
Jun 1, 12:40 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPCoffey13 min
Jun 1, 12:45 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPWabaunsee30 min
Jun 1, 12:51 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPJefferson39 min
Jun 1, 1:09 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatTOPPottawatomie, Shawnee, Wabaunsee36 min
Jun 1, 1:27 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPJefferson17 min
Jun 1, 1:40 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPJackson, Shawnee35 min
Jun 1, 2:21 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningTOPCoffey, Lyon9 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Kansas, 2026Every flash flood warning 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.