Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 31, NWS Topeka, KS
NWS Topeka, KS issued this tornado warning at May 18, 2026, 3:22 PM CDT for Clay County, Cloud County, Washington County, Kansas. It was in force for 21 min. 4 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
- May 18, 2026, 3:22 PM CDT (20:22 UTC)
- Expired
- May 18, 2026, 3:43 PM CDT
- In force
- 21 min
- Issued by
- NWS Topeka, KS
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 2.0 in
Counties Clay County, KS, Cloud County, KS, Washington County, KS
The radar
The Topeka radar (KTWX), 106 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:21 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 18, 3:30 PM CDT | TORNADO | 5 Wsw Idana, KS | DELAYED REPORT of a rope tornado near Idana at 3:30. Photos sent via social media. |
| May 18, 3:45 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | 1 Ne Miltonvale, KS | Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.). |
| May 18, 3:50 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | 3 Ne Miltonvale, KS | Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.). |
| May 18, 3:50 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | Miltonvale, 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 tornado warning; the first came 8 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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 18, 12:50 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Topeka, KS (KTOP), launched 12:00Z, 8.4 hours before the alert went out and 152 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
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 963 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 56 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 71 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 271 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 4.7
The text
As transmitted.
092
WFUS53 KTOP 182022
TORTOP
KSC027-029-201-182115-
/O.NEW.KTOP.TO.W.0031.260518T2022Z-260518T2115Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Topeka KS
322 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southwestern Washington County in north central Kansas...
Northern Clay County in north central Kansas...
Southeastern Cloud County in north central Kansas...
* Until 415 PM CDT.
* At 322 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Miltonvale, moving northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and hail up to two inches in diameter.
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...
Clay Center, Clyde, Clifton, Miltonvale, Morganville, Green,
Aurora, Vining, and Idana.
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 3965 9735 3958 9696 3941 9696 3931 9742
3931 9745 3948 9756
TIME...MOT...LOC 2022Z 236DEG 31KT 3937 9746
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN
$$
Flanagan2 follow-up statements
949
WWUS53 KTOP 182031
SVSTOP
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
331 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
KSC027-029-201-182115-
/O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0031.000000T0000Z-260518T2115Z/
Washington-Clay-Cloud-
331 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN WASHINGTON...NORTHERN CLAY AND SOUTHEASTERN CLOUD
COUNTIES...
At 331 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 6 miles north of Miltonvale, moving northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and two inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Clay Center, Clyde, Clifton, Morganville, Green, Vining, and Idana.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3932 9741 3950 9753 3965 9735 3958 9696
3942 9696
TIME...MOT...LOC 2031Z 231DEG 30KT 3943 9742
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN
$$
Flanagan114
WWUS53 KTOP 182043
SVSTOP
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
343 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
KSC027-029-201-182052-
/O.CAN.KTOP.TO.W.0031.000000T0000Z-260518T2115Z/
Washington-Clay-Cloud-
343 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN WASHINGTON...NORTHERN CLAY
AND SOUTHEASTERN CLOUD COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. However, small hail and
gusty winds are still possible with this thunderstorm.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for north central
and northeastern Kansas.
Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for
southern Washington, northern Clay, and northeastern Cloud Counties
until 4:15 PM.
&&
LAT...LON 3932 9741 3950 9753 3965 9735 3958 9696
3942 9696
TIME...MOT...LOC 2041Z 236DEG 31KT 3949 9731
$$
FlanaganWhat 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 May 18, 2:01 PM CDT, 1 hour 21 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Severe thunderstorms becoming numerous early to mid afternoon today and spreading east to southeast this evening. Very large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes all quite possible.
- Flash flooding remains a concern through tonight especially where heavy rain fall Sunday night.
- Gusty south winds on track for the next several hours in southwestern areas.
Area forecast discussion, May 18, 2:01 PM CDT, 1 hour 21 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Topeka KS 201 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Severe thunderstorms becoming numerous early to mid afternoon today and spreading east to southeast this evening. Very large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes all quite possible. - Flash flooding remains a concern through tonight especially where heavy rain fall Sunday night. - Gusty south winds on track for the next several hours in southwestern areas. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 200 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026 Warm, humid airmass was surging north into central Kansas ahead of a cold front toward a nearly-stationary front just northeast of northeast Kansas with a modest upper wave just upstream. Instability of 3000 J/kg already commonplace in central Kansas at 17Z with 40-50 knots of deep-layer shear. Vectors for this layer remain close to parallel to the front so there is some uncertainty in how long storms can remain discrete, but some backing of low-level flow and otherwise good setup brings all severe hazards in play. Main area of concern over the next few hours is north-central Kansas with storms spreading east and southeast and becoming more widespread with time. Threats should turn more to wind versus strong tornado in eastern areas as mode shifts to more linear. Overall a more progressive system should keep storm residence somewhat limited, but areas that saw heavy rain Sunday night will not take much more rain to experience flash flooding and intense updrafts with PW values around 1.5 inches will bring quick rainfall. Storms push southeast before dawn with flash flooding threat falling off, though rivers and creeks may be high for a few more days. Surface winds Next few days continue to look benign with modified Canadian high pressure in place with cooler temperatures. Moisture return in the mid-levels supports at least moderate precipitation chances Thursday into Thursday night but instability remains modest. A more unstable airmass should return around the holiday weekend though forcing for ascent is not readily apparent. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 1223 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026 Confidence is increasing in thunderstorm potential in the 23Z-04Z window and went ahead with TEMPO inclusion. MVFR cloud should diminish soon but be more consistent after FROPA around 06Z with some chance for improvement late in the forecast. && .TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through Tuesday morning for KSZ008-KSZ009-KSZ010-KSZ011- KSZ012-KSZ020-KSZ021-KSZ022-KSZ023-KSZ024-KSZ026-KSZ034-KSZ035- KSZ036-KSZ037-KSZ038-KSZ039-KSZ040-KSZ054-KSZ055-KSZ056-KSZ058- KSZ059. Wind Advisory until 9 PM CDT this evening for KSZ035-KSZ036-KSZ037- KSZ038-KSZ054. && DISCUSSION...Poage AVIATION...Poage
Hazardous weather outlook, May 18, 1:38 PM CDT, 1 hour 44 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Topeka KS 138 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026 KSZ008>012-020>024-026-034>040-054>056-058-059-191845- Republic-Washington-Marshall-Nemaha-Brown-Cloud-Clay-Riley- Pottawatomie-Jackson-Jefferson-Ottawa-Dickinson-Geary-Morris- Wabaunsee-Shawnee-Douglas-Lyon-Osage-Franklin-Coffey-Anderson- 138 PM CDT Mon May 18 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 South winds sustained around 25 MPH with gusts around 45 MPH are forecast for locations southwest of a line from Abilene to Alma to Emporia in to the evening. Severe thunderstorms are expected through the middle of the afternoon in north central Kansas. These storms may form into a line as they move east and southeast late this afternoon and this evening. Very large hail, damaging wind gusts, and a few strong tornadoes are the main hazards. Localized flooding is also a concern, especially if storms persist over areas that received heavy rain Sunday night. A Flood Watch remains in effect through 7 AM Tuesday morning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters will likely be needed this afternoon or tonight. && More detailed information can be found at: www.weather.gov/media/top/DssPacket.pdf
In the hours before
Local storm report, May 18, 1:52 PM CDT, 1 hour 30 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Topeka KS
152 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0151 PM Hail 3 S Jamestown 39.55N 97.86W
05/18/2026 M1.00 Inch Cloud KS Public
&&
STThe office that day
Everything else NWS Topeka, KS issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 7:11 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Washington | 19 min |
| May 17, 7:30 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 45 min |
| May 17, 7:35 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Washington | 40 min |
| May 17, 7:35 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Cloud | 25 min |
| May 17, 7:38 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 26 min |
| May 17, 7:51 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Cloud, Republic | 24 min |
| May 17, 8:03 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Cloud, Ottawa | 42 min |
| May 17, 8:05 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Marshall, Washington | 40 min |
| May 17, 8:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Cloud, Republic, Washington | 35 min |
| May 17, 8:16 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 44 min |
| May 17, 8:16 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Marshall, Washington | 29 min |
| May 17, 8:29 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Cloud, Riley, Washington | 46 min |
| May 17, 8:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Marshall, Washington | 34 min |
| May 17, 8:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Marshall, Washington | 34 min |
| May 17, 8:57 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 48 min |
| May 17, 9:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Marshall, Washington | 35 min |
| May 17, 9:16 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Riley | 29 min |
| May 17, 9:26 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Marshall | 34 min |
| May 17, 9:40 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | TOP | Ottawa | 99 min |
| May 17, 9:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Dickinson, Ottawa | 34 min |
| May 17, 9:46 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Marshall, Nemaha | 44 min |
| May 17, 10:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 18 min |
| May 17, 10:25 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | TOP | Brown, Nemaha | 65 min |
| May 17, 10:30 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | TOP | Clay | 30 min |
| May 17, 10:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Brown, Jackson, Nemaha | 32 min |
| May 17, 11:19 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 3 hr |
| May 17, 11:37 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 38 min |
| May 18, 12:06 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Dickinson, Ottawa | 24 min |
| May 18, 12:23 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Dickinson, Geary, Morris, Riley | 37 min |
| May 18, 2:37 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | TOP | Ottawa | 4 hr |
| May 18, 4:47 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 5 hr |
| May 18, 1:08 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Cloud, Republic | 67 min |
| May 18, 2:02 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Cloud, Republic, Washington | 58 min |
| May 18, 2:05 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 55 min |
| May 18, 2:17 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 43 min |
| May 18, 2:21 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Cloud, Republic, Washington | 39 min |
| May 18, 2:28 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Washington | 32 min |
| May 18, 2:50 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Cloud, Ottawa | 40 min |
| May 18, 2:55 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Republic, Washington | 38 min |
| May 18, 3:08 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | TOP | Washington | 4 hr |
| May 18, 3:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Cloud, Ottawa | 35 min |
| May 18, 3:40 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Cloud, Ottawa | 35 min |
| May 18, 3:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Cloud, Washington | 33 min |
| May 18, 4:02 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Washington | 29 min |
| May 18, 4:04 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Clay, Cloud, Ottawa | 56 min |
| May 18, 4:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Dickinson, Ottawa | 35 min |
| May 18, 4:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Marshall, Nemaha | 17 min |
| May 18, 4:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Republic | 32 min |
| May 18, 4:30 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Clay, Marshall, Riley, Washington | 45 min |
| May 18, 4:33 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Clay, Dickinson, Ottawa | 42 min |
| May 18, 5:07 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Marshall, Washington | 53 min |
| May 18, 5:11 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Dickinson, Geary, Ottawa, Riley | 49 min |
| May 18, 5:11 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Clay, Riley, Washington | 12 min |
| May 18, 5:15 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Clay, Geary, Riley | 30 min |
| May 18, 5:40 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | TOP | Clay, Marshall, Washington | 3 hr |
| May 18, 5:42 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Clay, Pottawatomie, Riley | 27 min |
| May 18, 5:43 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | TOP | Clay | 3 hr |
| May 18, 5:51 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Marshall, Nemaha | 54 min |
| May 18, 5:54 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Dickinson, Geary, Morris, Riley | 36 min |
| May 18, 6:09 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | TOP | Marshall | 3 hr |
| May 18, 6:21 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Dickinson, Geary, Morris, Pottawatomie, Riley, Wabaunsee | 24 min |
| May 18, 6:31 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Nemaha | 44 min |
| May 18, 6:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Geary, Jackson, Nemaha, Pottawatomie, Riley, Shawnee and 1 more | 48 min |
| May 18, 6:46 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | TOP | Geary, Pottawatomie, Riley | 3 hr |
| May 18, 6:49 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Brown, Nemaha | 26 min |
| May 18, 6:52 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Jackson, Pottawatomie, Shawnee, Wabaunsee | 23 min |
| May 18, 6:54 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Brown, Jackson, Nemaha, Pottawatomie | 36 min |
| May 18, 6:59 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Dickinson, Geary, Morris, Wabaunsee | 46 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.