Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 10, NWS Topeka, KS
NWS Topeka, KS issued this tornado warning at Apr 23, 2026, 5:54 PM CDT for Riley County, Wabaunsee County, Kansas. It was in force for 38 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 23, 2026, 5:54 PM CDT (22:54 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 23, 2026, 6:32 PM CDT
- In force
- 38 min
- Issued by
- NWS Topeka, KS
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.5 in
Counties Riley County, KS, Wabaunsee County, KS
The radar
The Topeka radar (KTWX), 11 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:58 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 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 12:00Z, 10.9 hours before the alert went out and 60 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
- 759 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -225 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 565 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 24 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 307 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 437 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 2.5
The text
As transmitted.
513
WFUS53 KTOP 232254
TORTOP
KSC161-197-232345-
/O.NEW.KTOP.TO.W.0010.260423T2254Z-260423T2345Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Topeka KS
554 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Riley County in northeastern Kansas...
Northwestern Wabaunsee County in east central Kansas...
* Until 645 PM CDT.
* At 553 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 4 miles north of Volland, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.
* Locations impacted include...
Alma, McFarland, and Paxico.
This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 317 and 336.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3901 9610 3897 9645 3905 9650 3907 9649
3908 9644 3910 9639 3919 9621
TIME...MOT...LOC 2253Z 250DEG 19KT 3901 9642
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
$$
Griesemer3 follow-up statements
589
WWUS53 KTOP 232310
SVSTOP
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
610 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
KSC161-232320-
/O.CAN.KTOP.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260423T2345Z/
Riley-
610 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN RILEY COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for east central
Kansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3898 9638 3906 9639 3910 9639 3919 9621
3901 9610
TIME...MOT...LOC 2310Z 250DEG 19KT 3904 9633
$$
KSC197-232345-
/O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260423T2345Z/
Wabaunsee-
610 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN WABAUNSEE COUNTY...
At 610 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Alma, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Alma, McFarland, and Paxico.
This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 323 and 336.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3898 9638 3906 9639 3910 9639 3919 9621
3901 9610
TIME...MOT...LOC 2310Z 250DEG 19KT 3904 9633
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
$$
Griesemer719
WWUS53 KTOP 232317 RRA
SVSTOP
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
617 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
KSC197-232345-
/O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260423T2345Z/
Wabaunsee-
617 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT FOR NORTH
CENTRAL WABAUNSEE COUNTY...
At 617 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near McFarland, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
McFarland and Paxico.
This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 326 and 336.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3902 9631 3910 9633 3919 9621 3904 9612
TIME...MOT...LOC 2317Z 254DEG 32KT 3908 9623
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
$$
Griesemer260 WWUS53 KTOP 232332 RRB SVSTOP Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Topeka KS 632 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 KSC197-232342- /O.CAN.KTOP.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260423T2345Z/ Wabaunsee- 632 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL WABAUNSEE COUNTY IS CANCELLED... The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits, and has exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for east central Kansas. && LAT...LON 3902 9631 3910 9633 3919 9621 3904 9612 TIME...MOT...LOC 2329Z 250DEG 19KT 3911 9612 $$ Griesemer
What 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 Topeka, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Apr 23, 2:16 PM CDT, 3 hours 38 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Severe storms possible this afternoon into early evening as storms develop along a cold front over north central areas and move east. Very large hail, damaging winds along with potential for tornadoes is possible. Flooding also can't be ruled out over areas that see repeated storms.
- A brief window for very high fire danger may set up behind the cold front as winds change to the northwest over north central counties and the relative humidity falls to around or just below 20 percent but overall the winds are expected to remain under 20 mph.
- Additional rounds of severe storms may be possible late day on Saturday and then again late day into the overnight hours on Sunday. Sunday may be the more impactful storm system but details still remain uncertain at this time.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 23, 2:16 PM CDT, 3 hours 38 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Topeka KS 216 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Severe storms possible this afternoon into early evening as storms develop along a cold front over north central areas and move east. Very large hail, damaging winds along with potential for tornadoes is possible. Flooding also can't be ruled out over areas that see repeated storms. - A brief window for very high fire danger may set up behind the cold front as winds change to the northwest over north central counties and the relative humidity falls to around or just below 20 percent but overall the winds are expected to remain under 20 mph. - Additional rounds of severe storms may be possible late day on Saturday and then again late day into the overnight hours on Sunday. Sunday may be the more impactful storm system but details still remain uncertain at this time. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 212 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 The main period of concern for today is focused on this afternoon and evening. Currently, the upper low is over the northern Plains region with a negatively tilted trough and the best forcing extending into northeastern Nebraska where storms have been ongoing for a couple of hours. The surface cold front is just west of the area through north central Kansas into central and southwestern Kansas areas. The dryline is further south into north central Oklahoma. Storms are expected to initiate across the local area this afternoon but may initially struggle with strong capping sampled from the 18Z KTOP sounding. Much of the area today has been under a quite expansive area of stratus but clearing has taken place over western areas. Perhaps this has allowed for the cap to weaken sufficiently over western areas. The lift from the cold front should allow for storms in an area of steeper low level lapse rates to initiate due to the slightly better and more long lasting insolation that has taken place. Mid-level lapse rates are very steep so any storms that breach the cap should rapidly intensify. If the clearing can continue over the next couple of hours then the low level moisture in place will allow for rapid destabilization as well. With environmental southerly flow in place the low level hodograph structures should allow for support of tornadoes if the winds can become locally backed with initial supercellular storms but also 0-3km shear vectors appear to be forecast to become more orthogonal to the any developing line of storms later as storms grow upscale along the front. Long story short, expect initial semi-discrete supercells mainly possible of very large hail and a tornado or two. Then storms congeal into a line over the next 3-4 hrs as they advance east focusing more on the damaging wind threat and possible flooding but also QLCS type tornado potential. The hail threat appears to diminish with eastward motion. Two concerns with eastward motion is the cap strength combined with prior resident time of the stratus. What impact does that have on the evolution of storms remains to be seen but it wouldn't be surprising to see storms initiate and rapidly intensify then struggle with eastward progression. This weekend, the potential for two more quick moving weather systems move through the area with severe weather impacts Saturday afternoon/evening and then again on Sunday evening/night. The time of day the forcing shifts over the area on Sunday will be critical to the development of any storms as well as the severity. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 1213 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 Cigs continue to lift overall and some areas continue to see clearing but these have tended to quickly fill back in with the inversion holding strong aloft and continued moist advection into the area. The trends point to BKN to SCT cigs that remain above VFR levels into and through this afternoon. The cold front is west of KMHK and will continue to push into and through the area this afternoon into this evening. Expect thunderstorms to form along the front by mid to late this afternoon but should progressively move through so have TEMPO groups indicating the best time frame with storm potential to impact terminals. Winds change to the WNW post frontal passage. && .TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && DISCUSSION...Drake AVIATION...Drake
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 23, 2:11 PM CDT, 3 hours 43 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Topeka KS 211 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 KSZ008>012-020>024-026-034>040-054>056-058-059-241915- Republic-Washington-Marshall-Nemaha-Brown-Cloud-Clay-Riley- Pottawatomie-Jackson-Jefferson-Ottawa-Dickinson-Geary-Morris- Wabaunsee-Shawnee-Douglas-Lyon-Osage-Franklin-Coffey-Anderson- 211 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 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 Severe storms possible this afternoon into early evening as storms develop along a cold front over north central areas and move east. Very large hail, damaging winds along with potential for tornadoes is possible. Flooding also can't be ruled out over areas that see repeated storms. A brief window for very high fire danger may set up behind the cold front as winds change to the northwest over north central counties and the relative humidity falls to around or just below 20 percent but overall the winds are expected to remain under 20 mph. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Additional rounds of severe storms may be possible late day on Saturday and then again late day into the overnight hours on Sunday. Sunday may be the more impactful storm system but details still remain uncertain at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report any severe hail, wind or rainfall amounts over one inch to the National Weather Service in Topeka.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Apr 23, 4:42 PM CDT, 1 hour 12 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Topeka KS
442 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0440 PM Hail 4 E Carlton 38.69N 97.23W
04/23/2026 M1.75 Inch Dickinson KS Public
&&
ngLocal storm report, Apr 23, 5:05 PM CDT, 49 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Topeka KS
505 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0503 PM Hail 3 W Hope 38.69N 97.13W
04/23/2026 M1.75 Inch Dickinson KS Emergency Mngr
&&
ngLocal storm report, Apr 23, 5:10 PM CDT, 44 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Topeka KS
510 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0503 PM Hail Hope 38.69N 97.08W
04/23/2026 M1.75 Inch Dickinson KS Trained Spotter
&&
ngLocal storm report, Apr 23, 5:18 PM CDT, 36 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Topeka KS
518 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0516 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Herington 38.67N 96.94W
04/23/2026 E70 MPH Dickinson KS Trained Spotter
&&
JPLocal storm report, Apr 23, 5:22 PM CDT, 32 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Topeka KS
522 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0519 PM Funnel Cloud Ogden 39.12N 96.70W
04/23/2026 Riley KS Storm Chaser
Reporter noted rotating wall cloud and
funnel looking west from northwest Wabaunsee
County. Also verified with emergency manager
via photo.
&&
JPLocal storm report, Apr 23, 5:40 PM CDT, 14 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Topeka KS
540 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0535 PM Hail 2 WNW Frankfort 39.71N 96.46W
04/23/2026 E1.75 Inch Marshall KS Public
&&
JPThe office that day
Everything else NWS Topeka, KS issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 1:46 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | TOP | Washington | 29 min |
| Apr 23, 2:24 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | TOP | Washington | 36 min |
| Apr 23, 2:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Washington | 10 min |
| Apr 23, 3:34 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Washington | 26 min |
| Apr 23, 4:03 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Dickinson | 27 min |
| Apr 23, 4:20 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Dickinson | 25 min |
| Apr 23, 4:24 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Dickinson | 36 min |
| Apr 23, 4:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Dickinson, Geary | 33 min |
| Apr 23, 4:48 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Dickinson | 27 min |
| Apr 23, 5:00 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Marshall | 15 min |
| Apr 23, 5:01 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Geary, Riley, Wabaunsee | 44 min |
| Apr 23, 5:08 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Dickinson, Morris | 52 min |
| Apr 23, 5:14 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Marshall | 31 min |
| Apr 23, 5:17 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Geary, Pottawatomie, Riley, Wabaunsee | 20 min |
| Apr 23, 5:18 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Dickinson, Geary, Morris, Pottawatomie, Riley, Wabaunsee | 42 min |
| Apr 23, 5:22 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Geary, Riley, Wabaunsee | 19 min |
| Apr 23, 5:38 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Marshall, Nemaha | 37 min |
| Apr 23, 5:43 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Marshall, Nemaha | 47 min |
| Apr 23, 5:57 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Geary, Jackson, Lyon, Morris, Osage, Pottawatomie and 3 more | 48 min |
| Apr 23, 6:01 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Osage, Shawnee, Wabaunsee | 31 min |
| Apr 23, 6:08 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Morris | 37 min |
| Apr 23, 6:21 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Brown, Marshall, Nemaha | 39 min |
| Apr 23, 6:24 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Lyon, Morris, Wabaunsee | 51 min |
| Apr 23, 6:31 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Douglas, Jefferson, Shawnee, Wabaunsee | 31 min |
| Apr 23, 6:40 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, Osage, Shawnee, Wabaunsee | 35 min |
| Apr 23, 6:53 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Brown, Marshall, Nemaha | 37 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.