Alert archive / Kansas / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 103, NWS Topeka, KS

April 25, 2026Clay County, Kansas

NWS Topeka, KS issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Apr 25, 2026, 8:39 PM CDT for Clay County, Kansas. It was in force for 36 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Apr 25, 2026, 8:39 PM CDT (01:39 UTC)
Expired
Apr 25, 2026, 9:15 PM CDT
In force
36 min
Issued by
NWS Topeka, KS
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

County Clay County, KS

The radar

The Topeka radar (KTWX), 89 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:38 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.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Apr 25, 2:43 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Topeka, KS (KTOP), launched 00:00Z, 1.7 hours before the alert went out and 137 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 2026-04-26Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 827 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 2026-04-26The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 68 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
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

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What 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 56 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 56 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 40 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

Local storm report, Apr 25, 6:09 PM CDT, 2 hours 30 minutes 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 48 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 47 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

&&

ng
Special weather statement, Apr 25, 7:14 PM CDT, 1 hour 25 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

BD
Local storm report, Apr 25, 7:55 PM CDT, 44 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.

&&
Local storm report, Apr 25, 8:15 PM CDT, 24 minutes before
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The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 25, 7:14 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPCloud31 min
Apr 25, 7:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPClay, Cloud, Ottawa34 min
Apr 25, 8:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPClay, Cloud, Ottawa35 min
Apr 25, 8:20 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPOttawa25 min
Apr 25, 9:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPClay, Dickinson, Geary, Riley35 min
Apr 25, 9:37 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPClay, Dickinson, Geary, Riley18 min
Apr 25, 9:54 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPGeary, Riley36 min
Apr 25, 10:27 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPRiley33 min
Apr 25, 10:57 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPRiley33 min
Apr 26, 11:03 AM CDTFlood WatchTOPBrown, Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, Marshall, Nemaha and 2 more20 hr
Apr 26, 11:48 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatTOPDickinson42 min
Apr 26, 12:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatTOPDickinson34 min
Apr 26, 12:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPClay, Dickinson, Geary, Riley42 min
Apr 26, 12:51 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPDickinson, Geary, Morris, Riley54 min
Apr 26, 1:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPClay, Geary, Pottawatomie, Riley45 min
Apr 26, 1:29 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPGeary, Lyon, Morris, Pottawatomie, Riley, Wabaunsee46 min
Apr 26, 1:51 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPMarshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomie, Riley39 min
Apr 26, 2:07 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPJackson, Lyon, Morris, Osage, Pottawatomie, Shawnee and 1 more53 min
Apr 26, 2:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPLyon64 min
Apr 26, 2:54 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPLyon, Osage, Shawnee, Wabaunsee51 min
Apr 26, 3:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPCoffey, Lyon, Osage42 min
Apr 26, 3:11 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPOsage22 min
Apr 26, 3:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatTOPDouglas, Franklin, Osage, Shawnee66 min
Apr 26, 3:28 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPDouglas, Osage, Shawnee19 min
Apr 26, 3:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPAnderson, Coffey54 min
Apr 26, 4:16 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatTOPAnderson29 min
Apr 26, 4:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPFranklin24 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.