Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 13, NWS Topeka, KS

April 23, 20264 counties in Kansas

NWS Topeka, KS issued this tornado warning at Apr 23, 2026, 6:31 PM CDT for 4 counties in Kansas. It was in force for 31 min. 2 reports 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 23, 2026, 6:31 PM CDT (23:31 UTC)
Expired: Apr 23, 2026, 7:02 PM CDT
In force: 31 min
Issued by: NWS Topeka, KS
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 1.5 in

Counties Douglas County, KS, Jefferson County, KS, Shawnee County, KS, Wabaunsee County, KS

The radar

The Topeka radar (KTWX), 39 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:28 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

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Apr 23, 6:54 PM CDT	TSTM WND GST 60	7 Wsw Topeka, KS	dime size hail.
Apr 23, 6:55 PM CDT	HAIL 1.25	4 W Topeka, KS	Report from mPING: Half Dollar (1.25 in.). Time estimated from radar data.

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

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, 11.5 hours before the alert went out and 13 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 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

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

704 
WFUS53 KTOP 232331
TORTOP
KSC045-087-177-197-240015-
/O.NEW.KTOP.TO.W.0013.260423T2331Z-260424T0015Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Topeka KS
631 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026

The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southwestern Jefferson County in northeastern Kansas...
  Shawnee County in east central Kansas...
  East central Wabaunsee County in east central Kansas...
  West central Douglas County in east central Kansas...

* Until 715 PM CDT.

* At 630 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Keene, moving east at 40 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...
  Topeka, Tecumseh, Dover, Silver Lake, Auburn, Meriden, Willard,
  Keene, Pauline, Berryton, and Grantville.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 70 between mile markers 339 and 355.
 Kansas Turnpike between mile markers 167 and 190.

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 3896 9544 3887 9586 3887 9594 3885 9595
      3883 9604 3904 9613 3922 9567 3922 9559
TIME...MOT...LOC 2330Z 250DEG 33KT 3899 9603 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN

$$

Griesemer

3 follow-up statements

645 
WWUS53 KTOP 232343
SVSTOP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
643 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026

KSC045-087-177-197-240015-
/O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260424T0015Z/
Jefferson-Shawnee-Wabaunsee-Douglas-
643 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON...SHAWNEE...EAST CENTRAL WABAUNSEE AND WEST
CENTRAL DOUGLAS COUNTIES...

At 643 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 5 miles northeast of Dover, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and half dollar 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...
Topeka, Tecumseh, Dover, Silver Lake, Auburn, Meriden, Maple Hill,
Willard, Pauline, Berryton, and Grantville.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 70 between mile markers 342 and 355.
 Kansas Turnpike between mile markers 167 and 190.

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 3886 9594 3908 9604 3922 9567 3922 9559
      3896 9544 3887 9586
TIME...MOT...LOC 2343Z 250DEG 33KT 3903 9589 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN

$$

Griesemer

664 
WWUS53 KTOP 232355
SVSTOP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
655 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026

KSC197-240005-
/O.CAN.KTOP.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260424T0015Z/
Wabaunsee-
655 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL WABAUNSEE 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 northeastern
and east central Kansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3909 9586 3921 9563 3922 9559 3896 9544
      3889 9577
TIME...MOT...LOC 2355Z 244DEG 40KT 3901 9570 

$$

KSC045-087-177-240015-
/O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260424T0015Z/
Jefferson-Shawnee-Douglas-
655 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON...EASTERN SHAWNEE AND WEST CENTRAL DOUGLAS
COUNTIES...

At 655 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over southern Topeka, moving northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and half dollar 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...
Topeka, Tecumseh, Meriden, Pauline, Grantville, and Berryton.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 70 between mile markers 352 and 355.
 Kansas Turnpike between mile markers 170 and 190.

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 3909 9586 3921 9563 3922 9559 3896 9544
      3889 9577
TIME...MOT...LOC 2355Z 244DEG 40KT 3901 9570 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN

$$

Griesemer

758 
WWUS53 KTOP 240002 RRA
SVSTOP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
702 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026

KSC045-087-177-240012-
/O.CAN.KTOP.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260424T0015Z/
Jefferson-Shawnee-Douglas-
702 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON...EASTERN SHAWNEE
AND WEST CENTRAL DOUGLAS COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been
cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a
Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3909 9586 3921 9563 3922 9559 3896 9544
      3889 9577
TIME...MOT...LOC 0001Z 250DEG 33KT 3903 9562 

$$

Griesemer

The 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 Considerable damage threat	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 Considerable damage threat	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 Considerable damage threat	TOP	Marshall, Nemaha	47 min
Apr 23, 5:54 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	TOP	Riley, Wabaunsee	38 min
Apr 23, 5:57 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	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, 6:40 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	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, 2026 Every tornado warning in 2026 Tornadoes 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.