Alert archive / Kansas / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 49, NWS Topeka, KS

April 17, 2026Jackson County, Jefferson County, Kansas

NWS Topeka, KS issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Apr 17, 2026, 2:13 PM CDT for Jackson County, Jefferson County, Kansas. It was in force for 32 min. 1 report 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 17, 2026, 2:13 PM CDT (19:13 UTC)
Expired
Apr 17, 2026, 2:45 PM CDT
In force
32 min
Issued by
NWS Topeka, KS
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Jackson County, KS, Jefferson County, KS

The radar

The Topeka radar (KTWX), 72 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:18 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Apr 17, 2:29 PM CDTHAIL 11 E Valley Falls, KS

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 16 minutes after it went out.

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 17, 1:40 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Topeka, KS (KTOP), launched 12:00Z, 7.2 hours before the alert went out and 37 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 2026-04-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2338 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 2026-04-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 379 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
2338 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-172 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
934 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
44 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
379 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
354 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.8
Supercell composite
16.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

529 
WUUS53 KTOP 171913
SVRTOP
KSC085-087-171945-
/O.NEW.KTOP.SV.W.0049.260417T1913Z-260417T1945Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Topeka KS
213 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northwestern Jefferson County in northeastern Kansas...
  Southeastern Jackson County in northeastern Kansas...

* Until 245 PM CDT.

* At 213 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Hoyt, moving
  northeast at 30 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...
  Valley Falls, Hoyt, and Nortonville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for northeastern
Kansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3922 9559 3925 9572 3942 9557 3942 9530
      3938 9524
TIME...MOT...LOC 1913Z 222DEG 25KT 3926 9564 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Reese
2 follow-up statements
480 
WWUS53 KTOP 171930
SVSTOP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
230 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

KSC085-171939-
/O.CAN.KTOP.SV.W.0049.000000T0000Z-260417T1945Z/
Jackson-
230 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN JACKSON COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of 
the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for northeastern
Kansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3926 9550 3926 9559 3940 9559 3942 9557
      3942 9530 3938 9525
TIME...MOT...LOC 1929Z 227DEG 38KT 3937 9550 

$$

KSC087-171945-
/O.CON.KTOP.SV.W.0049.000000T0000Z-260417T1945Z/
Jefferson-
230 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 245 PM CDT
FOR NORTHWESTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY...

At 229 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Valley Falls,
moving northeast at 45 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...
Valley Falls and Nortonville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for northeastern
Kansas.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 3926 9550 3926 9559 3940 9559 3942 9557
      3942 9530 3938 9525
TIME...MOT...LOC 1929Z 227DEG 38KT 3937 9550 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Reese
068 
WWUS53 KTOP 171942
SVSTOP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
242 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

KSC087-171952-
/O.EXP.KTOP.SV.W.0049.000000T0000Z-260417T1945Z/
Jefferson-
242 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY
WILL EXPIRE AT 245 PM CDT...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.  However, small 
hail of around nickel size is still possible with a second 
thunderstorm currently near Valley Falls.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for northeastern
Kansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3926 9550 3926 9559 3940 9559 3942 9557
      3942 9530 3938 9525
TIME...MOT...LOC 1942Z 222DEG 25KT 3943 9543 

$$

Reese

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 17, 12:42 PM CDT, 1 hour 31 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Severe thunderstorms expected (50-90% chance) this afternoon into early this evening, mainly in east-central Kansas. Locally heavy rainfall also possible, mainly in far southeastern areas.
  • Fire danger into elevated levels Saturday and Sunday along Highway 81 in north-central Kansas.
  • Low temperatures close to freezing Saturday and Sunday mornings, with frost potential Sunday morning.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 17, 12:42 PM CDT, 1 hour 31 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Topeka KS
1242 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Severe thunderstorms expected (50-90% chance) this afternoon
  into early this evening, mainly in east-central Kansas.
  Locally heavy rainfall also possible, mainly in far
  southeastern areas.

- Fire danger into elevated levels Saturday and Sunday along Highway
  81 in north-central Kansas.

- Low temperatures close to freezing Saturday and Sunday
  mornings, with frost potential Sunday morning.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1242 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

Volatile situation setting up over eastern and southern portions of
the state this afternoon with upper low moving east along the
central Canadian border with associated trough in at least one piece
south-southwest into the Four Corners impinging on a moist and very
unstable atmosphere over the Plains. Cold front had passed through
north-central Kansas by noon, lagging a bit more to the southwest to
a surface low over northeast Oklahoma. 16Z MLCAPE analysis already
had values around 2500 J/kg with over 3000 J/kg quite possible by
mid afternoon with effective shear of 40-50 knots. Low-level wind
fields will likely keep some veering, however tornadic potential
remains with any more isolated storms early then possibly in QLCS
activity later in the event, so very large hail and potent
straight-line winds will be the main concerns. Main area of concern
looks to be east-central Kansas where instability will be the
greatest and the front come in the latest. Severe thunderstorm
activity should peak by late afternoon and exit the area by 8 PM,
though some training could linger mainly along and southeast of I-35
as the effective front becomes more parallel to the upper flow and
could lead to a few rounds of heavy rainfall into the late evening.

Concerns late tonight into Sunday turn to more of a early to mid
spring variety with fire weather and growing season impacts.
Northwest winds keep some speed Saturday but back off Sunday when
the driest air is in place. Fire weather partners indicate only
limited grassland response in the far western counties that could
still support some very active wildfires and, even going slightly
windier for Saturday, still only brings fire danger indicies into
the Very High category. These winds Saturday keep frost in check
with much weaker winds Sunday morning supporting some frost. Most
guidance keeps lows above freezing for even the coldest areas in
north-central Kansas.

Temperatures return to above normal levels early next week with the
next chance for precipition late in the week.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 1219 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

Thunderstorm potential is the main concern. Storms are highly
likely to be east of MHK but could form around TOP and FOE
through 22Z, but latest trends are for a faster end of storms
so trimmed them a bit. North-northwest winds behind the front
should diminish late.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 1242 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

Not much change to previous forecast. Saturday brings the
stronger winds but RH only dropping to around 20 percent for a
few hours. Sunday looks drier but much weaker winds. Saturday
will likely be more concerning but confidence in Red Flag
conditions remains too low for any headlines.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...Poage
AVIATION...Poage
FIRE WEATHER...Poage
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 17, 2:35 AM CDT, 11 hours 38 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Topeka KS
235 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

KSZ008>012-020>024-026-034>040-054>056-058-059-180745-
Republic-Washington-Marshall-Nemaha-Brown-Cloud-Clay-Riley-
Pottawatomie-Jackson-Jefferson-Ottawa-Dickinson-Geary-Morris-
Wabaunsee-Shawnee-Douglas-Lyon-Osage-Franklin-Coffey-Anderson-
235 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Thunderstorms are expected to develop over northeast and east
central Kansas this afternoon and continue into the evening. Large
hail, damaging winds, and a tornado or two are possible with these
storms. Areas along and east of a line from Abilene to Marysville
have the better chances of seeing severe storms. Heavy rain could
also lead to flash flooding for areas along and southeast of
Interstate 35.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER MESSAGE

Weather spotters are encouraged to relay reports of hail, damaging
wind, tornadoes, and flooding.

&&

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

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 17, 2:06 PM CDT, 7 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
206 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

KSZ026-171915-
Jefferson-
206 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY
THROUGH 215 PM CDT...

At 206 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Winchester, moving northeast at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to vegetation is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Nortonville and Winchester.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for northeastern
Kansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3924 9525 3936 9538 3942 9532 3942 9518
      3929 9518
TIME...MOT...LOC 1906Z 223DEG 42KT 3937 9523

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

Griesemer

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 17, 2:06 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPJefferson9 min
Apr 17, 2:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPLyon, Morris45 min
Apr 17, 3:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPLyon, Osage, Shawnee, Wabaunsee35 min
Apr 17, 3:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPCoffey, Lyon37 min
Apr 17, 3:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPDouglas, Franklin, Osage, Shawnee34 min
Apr 17, 3:52 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatTOPCoffey, Lyon, Osage23 min
Apr 17, 3:58 PM CDTTornado WarningTOPCoffey, Osage19 min
Apr 17, 4:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPDouglas34 min
Apr 17, 4:12 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPAnderson, Coffey, Franklin, Osage33 min
Apr 17, 4:22 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatTOPAnderson, Franklin, Osage23 min
Apr 17, 4:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatTOPAnderson, Franklin16 min
Apr 17, 4:43 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPDouglas17 min
Apr 17, 5:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPAnderson21 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.