Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 46, NWS Topeka, KS
NWS Topeka, KS issued this tornado warning at May 31, 2026, 10:42 PM CDT for Coffey County, Kansas. It was in force for 19 min. 3 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 31, 2026, 10:42 PM CDT (03:42 UTC)
- Expired
- May 31, 2026, 11:01 PM CDT
- In force
- 19 min
- Issued by
- NWS Topeka, KS
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 2.0 in
County Coffey County, KS
The radar
The Topeka radar (KTWX), 105 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:45 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 31, 10:50 PM CDT | HAIL 2.25 | 3 E Gridley, KS | Resent. Report from mPING: Hen Egg+ (2.25 in.). |
| May 31, 10:52 PM CDT | HAIL 2.5 | Gridley, KS | Emergency manager relayed photo of estimated tennis ball size hail in Gridley. Time estimated from radar. |
| May 31, 10:52 PM CDT | HAIL 3.5 | Gridley, KS | Delayed report. Video and pictures on social media from storm chaser. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 31, 8:53 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Topeka, KS (KTOP), launched 00:00Z, 3.7 hours before the alert went out and 103 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
- 3361 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -3 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 898 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 44 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 86 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 147 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 2.2
- Supercell composite
- 10.3
The text
As transmitted.
889
WFUS53 KTOP 010342
TORTOP
KSC031-010415-
/O.NEW.KTOP.TO.W.0046.260601T0342Z-260601T0415Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Topeka KS
1042 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026
The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southwestern Coffey County in east central Kansas...
* Until 1115 PM CDT.
* At 1042 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a
tornado was located near Gridley, moving east at 15 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...
Gridley.
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 3813 9596 3813 9579 3807 9578 3804 9581
3804 9596
TIME...MOT...LOC 0342Z 281DEG 13KT 3810 9593
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN
$$
Griesemer1 follow-up statement
111
WWUS53 KTOP 010401
SVSTOP
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
1101 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026
KSC031-010410-
/O.CAN.KTOP.TO.W.0046.000000T0000Z-260601T0415Z/
Coffey-
1101 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN COFFEY COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been
cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a
Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 400 AM CDT for
east central Kansas.
Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for
southern Coffey county.
&&
LAT...LON 3813 9596 3813 9579 3807 9578 3804 9581
3804 9596
TIME...MOT...LOC 0400Z 281DEG 13KT 3809 9585
$$
GriesemerWhat 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 31, 6:18 PM CDT, 4 hours 24 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- -A conditional threat for severe storms continues this evening, however, some uncertainty exists in whether storms develop. -Best chances for storms early week will be in central KS. Chances increase eastward later in the week. -Hot and humid to start the week, slightly cooler midweek.
Area forecast discussion, May 31, 6:18 PM CDT, 4 hours 24 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Topeka KS 618 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... -A conditional threat for severe storms continues this evening, however, some uncertainty exists in whether storms develop. -Best chances for storms early week will be in central KS. Chances increase eastward later in the week. -Hot and humid to start the week, slightly cooler midweek. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 148 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026 The main focus in the short-term is on the potential for severe thunderstorms this evening. Looking at the synoptic pattern, southwest flow persists aloft with an H5 trough axis across the Northern Plains. Water vapor isn't showing much in the way of shortwaves within the southwest flow as of midday. At the surface low pressure is over northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas early this afternoon. Instability has been building in the wake of this morning's thunderstorm activity, although cloud cover is hampering temps/dew points and associated instability a bit. The cloud cover could continue to be a factor. However, most models agree on a quick increase in instability into the evening with over 3000 J/kg of MLCAPE in eastern KS by 21/22Z. The 18Z TOP RAOB still shows a cap with 14C at 750mb. RAP forecast soundings show a similar cap, but erode it by around 01/02Z. Some CAMs show storm initiation in our southeastern counties around that same timeframe. Have kept POPs only around 30 percent given uncertainty that remains on a forcing mechanism and whether the cap can be overcome. If storms do develop, there should be enough instability and deep layer shear to support supercells with a damaging wind and hail risk. Backed sfc and low level winds would also aid in a tornado risk with both RAP and HRRR forecast soundings showing over 100 m2/s2 of 0-1km SRH and over 200 m2/s2 of 0-3km SRH. Monday looks hot and humid with highs reaching the upper 80s and low 90s. Most of the day should be dry but chances for storms will begin increasing again Monday night and early Tuesday, mainly in central KS where models show impacts from a shortwave H5 trough. A mid-level ridge will build over the area early in the week and a sfc ridge will move in from the northeast midweek. That set up should keep the main axis of storms in central KS until the upper ridge advances eastward as an upper trough moves across the far northern CONUS. Shortwaves aloft can be tough to predict several days in advance, but in general, POPs will increase eastward late in the week as that ridge pushes east. The 12Z run of long range models continue to show a storm system moving over KS next weekend, which would keep rain chances around. Temperature-wise, a slight cool down is expected through midweek due to the sfc ridge nudging in from the east. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z MONDAY/... Issued at 618 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026 Main short-term aviation concern will be thunderstorm development across east-central KS this evening that may impact KTOP and KFOE. Kept mention at PROB30 as coverage in storms will remain isolated to scattered in nature. Following storms this evening, model guidance continues to be confident in fog development as clear skies build in across the TAF locations. Ensemble guidance depicts areas further west, such as KMHK, will see the best chances for visibilities under 1SM (60%+ chances). Areas further east may dip into MVFR and high- end IFR status, but confidence in dense fog this far east at KTOP and KFOE is low at this time. Fog should clear off a few hours after sunrise Monday morning with mostly clear skies and light winds the remainder of the TAF. && .TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && DISCUSSION...Teefey AVIATION...Griesemer
Hazardous weather outlook, May 31, 1:58 PM CDT, 8 hours 44 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Topeka KS 158 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026 KSZ008>012-020>024-026-034>040-054>056-058-059-011900- Republic-Washington-Marshall-Nemaha-Brown-Cloud-Clay-Riley- Pottawatomie-Jackson-Jefferson-Ottawa-Dickinson-Geary-Morris- Wabaunsee-Shawnee-Douglas-Lyon-Osage-Franklin-Coffey-Anderson- 158 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Kansas, east central Kansas, north central Kansas and northeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A few thunderstorms may develop in eastern Kansas this evening. Any storm that develops could produce damaging wind, and large hail. A tornado could also occur. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. There is a slight chance for a few additional storms Monday evening and night. These storms could produce some gusty winds or small hail, primarily in central Kansas. && More detailed information can be found at: www.weather.gov/media/top/DssPacket.pdf
In the hours before
Local storm report, May 31, 9:05 PM CDT, 1 hour 37 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Topeka KS
905 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0904 PM Hail 3 SW Olpe 38.23N 96.21W
05/31/2026 E1.75 Inch Lyon KS Emergency Mngr
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Topeka, KS issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 31, 8:33 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Lyon | 27 min |
| May 31, 8:48 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Lyon | 27 min |
| May 31, 8:57 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Lyon | 48 min |
| May 31, 9:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Lyon | 35 min |
| May 31, 9:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Lyon, Osage | 47 min |
| May 31, 9:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Lyon | 33 min |
| May 31, 10:12 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Lyon | 11 min |
| May 31, 10:18 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Coffey | 27 min |
| May 31, 10:30 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Coffey, Lyon | 30 min |
| May 31, 10:39 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | TOP | Lyon | 4 hr |
| May 31, 10:39 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Coffey | 51 min |
| May 31, 10:47 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Dickinson | 25 min |
| May 31, 10:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Coffey, Lyon | 49 min |
| May 31, 11:17 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | TOP | Lyon | 62 min |
| May 31, 11:19 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Lyon | 26 min |
| May 31, 11:19 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Lyon | 26 min |
| May 31, 11:23 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Coffey | 52 min |
| May 31, 11:29 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Coffey | 46 min |
| May 31, 11:40 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | TOP | Coffey | 3 hr |
| May 31, 11:44 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Coffey | 14 min |
| May 31, 11:47 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Lyon | 43 min |
| Jun 1, 12:04 AM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Anderson, Coffey | 8 min |
| Jun 1, 12:09 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Anderson, Coffey | 51 min |
| Jun 1, 12:14 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Morris, Wabaunsee | 31 min |
| Jun 1, 12:18 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | TOP | Lyon | 2 hr |
| Jun 1, 12:31 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Lyon, Wabaunsee | 30 min |
| Jun 1, 12:33 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Lyon | 27 min |
| Jun 1, 12:37 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Anderson | 38 min |
| Jun 1, 12:40 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Coffey | 13 min |
| Jun 1, 12:45 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Wabaunsee | 30 min |
| Jun 1, 12:51 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Jefferson | 39 min |
| Jun 1, 1:09 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Pottawatomie, Shawnee, Wabaunsee | 36 min |
| Jun 1, 1:27 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Jefferson | 17 min |
| Jun 1, 1:40 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Jackson, Shawnee | 35 min |
| Jun 1, 2:21 AM CDT | Areal Flood Warning | TOP | Coffey, Lyon | 9 hr |
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.