Alert archive / Kansas / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 101, NWS Topeka, KS
NWS Topeka, KS issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Apr 25, 2026, 8:10 PM CDT for Clay County, Cloud County, Ottawa County, Kansas. It was in force for 35 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 25, 2026, 8:10 PM CDT (01:10 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 25, 2026, 8:45 PM CDT
- In force
- 35 min
- Issued by
- NWS Topeka, KS
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Clay County, KS, Cloud County, KS, Ottawa County, KS
The radar
The Topeka radar (KTWX), 99 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:10 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 severe thunderstorm 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 25, 2:43 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Topeka, KS (KTOP), launched 00:00Z, 1.2 hours before the alert went out and 148 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
- 827 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -71 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1421 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 40 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 68 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 186 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.2
- Supercell composite
- 2.6
The text
As transmitted.
485
WUUS53 KTOP 260110
SVRTOP
KSC027-029-143-260145-
/O.NEW.KTOP.SV.W.0101.260426T0110Z-260426T0145Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Topeka KS
810 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026
The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Northeastern Ottawa County in north central Kansas...
Southwestern Clay County in north central Kansas...
Southeastern Cloud County in north central Kansas...
* Until 845 PM CDT.
* At 809 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 4 miles northwest
of Oak Hill, moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage
to roofs, siding, and trees.
* Locations impacted include...
Clay Center, Miltonvale, Longford, Oak Hill, and Idana.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 3943 9743 3945 9712 3913 9720 3913 9723
3924 9747
TIME...MOT...LOC 0109Z 279DEG 13KT 3930 9738
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Griesemer2 follow-up statements
748
WWUS53 KTOP 260125
SVSTOP
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
825 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026
KSC029-260134-
/O.CAN.KTOP.SV.W.0101.000000T0000Z-260426T0145Z/
Cloud-
825 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN CLOUD COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of
the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for
central and north central Kansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3931 9746 3931 9737 3935 9737 3939 9714
3913 9720 3913 9724 3924 9747
TIME...MOT...LOC 0124Z 279DEG 13KT 3929 9731
$$
KSC027-143-260145-
/O.CON.KTOP.SV.W.0101.000000T0000Z-260426T0145Z/
Ottawa-Clay-
825 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM CDT
FOR NORTHEASTERN OTTAWA AND SOUTHWESTERN CLAY COUNTIES...
At 824 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Oak Hill,
moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Clay Center, Longford, Oak Hill, and Idana.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 3931 9746 3931 9737 3935 9737 3939 9714
3913 9720 3913 9724 3924 9747
TIME...MOT...LOC 0124Z 279DEG 13KT 3929 9731
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Griesemer606
WWUS53 KTOP 260141
SVSTOP
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
841 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026
KSC027-143-260150-
/O.EXP.KTOP.SV.W.0101.000000T0000Z-260426T0145Z/
Ottawa-Clay-
841 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN OTTAWA AND
SOUTHWESTERN CLAY COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 845 PM CDT...
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.
Another severe storm has been issued for central and eastern Clay
counties until 915pm.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for
central and north central Kansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3931 9746 3931 9737 3935 9737 3939 9714
3913 9720 3913 9724 3924 9747
TIME...MOT...LOC 0140Z 279DEG 13KT 3928 9724
$$
GriesemerWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm 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 severe thunderstorm warning went out at Apr 25, 6:43 PM CDT, 1 hour 27 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- A few severe storms possible this evening, mainly towards central Kansas. Wind/hail the main hazards.
- Better chance for severe storms Sunday into Sunday night. Still a fair amount of uncertainty, but large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes all possible.
- There is a minor change in the Monday period for now as the some forecast models suggest that the cold front may be slow enough to move east that a few morning storms could linger across eastern areas. Would expect mainly a large hail and wind threat during the morning period but this appears to be an overall low chance outcome.
- Cooler and near normal temperature remain in place for the balance of the upcoming week after the cold front pushes through the area late Sunday into early Monday.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 25, 6:43 PM CDT, 1 hour 27 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Topeka KS 643 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - A few severe storms possible this evening, mainly towards central Kansas. Wind/hail the main hazards. - Better chance for severe storms Sunday into Sunday night. Still a fair amount of uncertainty, but large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes all possible. - There is a minor change in the Monday period for now as the some forecast models suggest that the cold front may be slow enough to move east that a few morning storms could linger across eastern areas. Would expect mainly a large hail and wind threat during the morning period but this appears to be an overall low chance outcome. - Cooler and near normal temperature remain in place for the balance of the upcoming week after the cold front pushes through the area late Sunday into early Monday. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 254 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026 A complex 24 to 36 hrs looks to be setting up before a solid frontal system finally pushes through the area taking much of the severe weather potential east and southeast of the area into Monday morning. Currently, the primary upper low pressure system resides north of the CONUS just into south central Canada. The main trough axis extends into and through northern California into the eastern Pacific just off the coast of southern California. A complex series of shortwave disturbances continue to lift across the southern and central Rockies into the central Plains region. As of this hour, a low amplitude lead shortwave is over north-central Kansas into south- central Nebraska. Sufficient ascent with weak height falls is just enough to cause a few showers and storms over south-central Nebraska areas early this afternoon. One storm briefly looked impressive right along the quasi-stationary cold front over south-central Nebraska with a semi-persistent BWER and strong updraft core before subsequently collapsing. Generally, a few storms this afternoon can be expected along the weak surface low pressure area that is over west central Kansas areas. Mainly showers have been scattered over central into north-central Kansas areas with overall weak ascent in place. However, into this afternoon with sufficiently steep mid- level lapse rates in place and thus 1-2K J/kg instability into the area, can't rule out a couple of storms that may become severe later this afternoon into this evening. Would still anticipate mainly hail and wind threats but a tornado could be possible west mainly along the boundary which is most probable just west of the TOP forecast area. Right now tornado probabilities into the area remain low overall with hail and wind best into central Kansas areas. The semi- persistent areas of showers only help to keep this idea in check as the afternoon wears on. Sunday, could start with morning showers and storms as weak convergence along the LLJ maintains a few areas of showers and storms as one of the primary shortwaves lift into the Rockies from the southwest. This will act to bring additional height falls to the central Plains into the morning and through the day as the surface low pressure develops off the lee of the Rockies and deepens over southwestern Kansas areas before lifting northeast into and likely through the forecast area into the Sunday evening hours. Regarding the morning storm potential, could see mainly a hail threat as storms are likely to be elevated. Clearing into the afternoon appears to be on the docket with a weak cap in place with the southwest flow aloft which becomes more southerly through the the lower levels of the atmosphere as the more amplified shortwave works into the area taking on a slight negative tilt. This will increase more quality more moist transport into the area with higher overall theta-e air advecting north thus increasing the dewpoints to around 70 especially southern areas. The main concern really ramps up into the evening hours and possibly even after dark as the LLJ increases to 50kts or possibly higher. Concern becomes nighttime tornado potential to set up across the area especially with the track of the low itself working across the area. If this is indeed the scenario, then expect a busy evening if storms can stay semi-discrete which could be a reasonable scenario with 0-6km shear vectors largely orthogonal off the cold front as the dryline itself may just be south of the area. Again, very large hail possibly greater than 2 inches, damaging winds 70 mph or greater with any bowing segment that may develop if storms congeal and also supercellular nighttime tornadoes could be in play especially with the elongated nature of the hodographs as the LLJ ramps up. Flooding doesn't appear to be all the high on the list since it appears storms should be progressive once they begin and the lack of overall shear vectors being parallel to the boundary. Monday morning may be a potential gotcha for elevated hail if the front does slow slightly into the overnight period and enough residual instability remains aloft behind the front but this again appears to be a low probability outcome. After the system moves through expect a transition to a more quasi-zonal to northwest flow pattern with highs and lows near normal for the week ahead and possibly ridging into next weekend. Outside of a few chances for periods of precipitation into the latter part of the upcoming week, should remain mostly quiet weather-wise. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z MONDAY/... Issued at 638 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026 A line of scattered thunderstorms will move towards the KMHK terminal between 1Z-3Z SUN. The storms may weaken and become more widely scattered as they approach the KTOP and KFOE terminals. Late tonight MVFR stratus may move across the terminals. Scattered thunderstorms will develop across the terminals during the late morning and early afternoon hours. Some of the storms may become strong to severe Sunday afternoon. && .TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && DISCUSSION...Drake AVIATION...Gargan
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 25, 2:59 PM CDT, 5 hours 11 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Topeka KS 259 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026 KSZ008>012-020>024-026-034>040-054>056-058-059-262000- Republic-Washington-Marshall-Nemaha-Brown-Cloud-Clay-Riley- Pottawatomie-Jackson-Jefferson-Ottawa-Dickinson-Geary-Morris- Wabaunsee-Shawnee-Douglas-Lyon-Osage-Franklin-Coffey-Anderson- 259 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Kansas, east central Kansas, north central Kansas, and northeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight A few severe storms will be possible this evening, mainly towards central and north-central Kansas. Large hail and damaging winds will be the main hazards. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Better chances for severe storms arrive Sunday evening into Sunday night across the entire area. There is still some degree of variability with regard to timing, but very large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes all appear possible. Nighttime tornadoes can not be ruled out. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to relay reports of hail, damaging wind, tornadoes and flooding.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Apr 25, 5:53 PM CDT, 2 hours 17 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
553 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026
KSZ020-252315-
Cloud-
553 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN CLOUD COUNTY
THROUGH 615 PM CDT...
At 552 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Scottsville, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Strong wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Hail damage to outdoor objects and
vegetation is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Jamestown.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for
north central Kansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3965 9793 3965 9778 3943 9777 3943 9793
TIME...MOT...LOC 2252Z 258DEG 18KT 3951 9794
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
BDLocal storm report, Apr 25, 6:09 PM CDT, 2 hours 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Topeka KS
609 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0606 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 6 S Jamestown 39.52N 97.87W
04/25/2026 E60 MPH Cloud KS Trained Spotter
Also hail up to nickel size nearly covered
the ground.
&&Local storm report, Apr 25, 6:51 PM CDT, 1 hour 19 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Topeka KS
651 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0649 PM Hail Concordia 39.57N 97.67W
04/25/2026 M0.88 Inch Cloud KS Trained Spotter
&&Local storm report, Apr 25, 6:52 PM CDT, 1 hour 18 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Topeka KS
652 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0645 PM Hail Glasco 39.36N 97.84W
04/25/2026 M0.70 Inch Cloud KS Trained Spotter
&&
ngSpecial weather statement, Apr 25, 7:14 PM CDT, 56 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
714 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026
KSZ020-034-260045-
Cloud-Ottawa-
714 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN OTTAWA AND
SOUTHEASTERN CLOUD COUNTIES THROUGH 745 PM CDT...
At 713 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles northeast of Delphos, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Strong wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to vegetation is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Aurora.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for
north central Kansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3924 9774 3940 9777 3946 9751 3925 9745
TIME...MOT...LOC 0013Z 262DEG 20KT 3934 9766
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
BDLocal storm report, Apr 25, 7:55 PM CDT, 15 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Topeka KS
755 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0749 PM Hail 3 SW Miltonvale 39.32N 97.48W
04/25/2026 E1.00 Inch Cloud KS Trained Spotter
Hail up to quarter size covered the ground.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Topeka, KS issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 25, 7:14 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | TOP | Cloud | 31 min |
| Apr 25, 7:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Cloud, Ottawa | 34 min |
| Apr 25, 8:20 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 25 min |
| Apr 25, 8:39 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay | 36 min |
| Apr 25, 9:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Dickinson, Geary, Riley | 35 min |
| Apr 25, 9:37 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Dickinson, Geary, Riley | 18 min |
| Apr 25, 9:54 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | TOP | Geary, Riley | 36 min |
| Apr 25, 10:27 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | TOP | Riley | 33 min |
| Apr 25, 10:57 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | TOP | Riley | 33 min |
| Apr 26, 11:03 AM CDT | Flood Watch | TOP | Brown, Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, Marshall, Nemaha and 2 more | 20 hr |
| Apr 26, 11:48 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Dickinson | 42 min |
| Apr 26, 12:26 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Dickinson | 34 min |
| Apr 26, 12:48 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Dickinson, Geary, Riley | 42 min |
| Apr 26, 12:51 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Dickinson, Geary, Morris, Riley | 54 min |
| Apr 26, 1:15 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Geary, Pottawatomie, Riley | 45 min |
| Apr 26, 1:29 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Geary, Lyon, Morris, Pottawatomie, Riley, Wabaunsee | 46 min |
| Apr 26, 1:51 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Marshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomie, Riley | 39 min |
| Apr 26, 2:07 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Jackson, Lyon, Morris, Osage, Pottawatomie, Shawnee and 1 more | 53 min |
| Apr 26, 2:11 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Lyon | 64 min |
| Apr 26, 2:54 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Lyon, Osage, Shawnee, Wabaunsee | 51 min |
| Apr 26, 3:03 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Coffey, Lyon, Osage | 42 min |
| Apr 26, 3:11 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Osage | 22 min |
| Apr 26, 3:24 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Douglas, Franklin, Osage, Shawnee | 66 min |
| Apr 26, 3:28 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Douglas, Osage, Shawnee | 19 min |
| Apr 26, 3:36 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Anderson, Coffey | 54 min |
| Apr 26, 4:16 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Anderson | 29 min |
| Apr 26, 4:25 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Franklin | 24 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Kansas, 2026Every severe thunderstorm 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.