Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 68, NWS Topeka, KS

June 20, 2026Republic County, Kansas

NWS Topeka, KS issued this tornado warning at Jun 20, 2026, 9:55 PM CDT for Republic County, Kansas. It was in force for 20 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
Jun 20, 2026, 9:55 PM CDT (02:55 UTC)
Expired
Jun 20, 2026, 10:15 PM CDT
In force
20 min
Issued by
NWS Topeka, KS
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

County Republic County, KS

The radar

The Grand Island radar (KUEX), 91 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:58 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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jun 20, 7:22 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Omaha, NE (KOAX), launched 00:00Z, 2.9 hours before the alert went out and 180 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, Omaha, NE at 00:00Z on 2026-06-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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, Omaha, NE at 00:00Z on 2026-06-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -82 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
956 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
33 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-82 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-100 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

951 
WFUS53 KTOP 210255
TORTOP
KSC157-210315-
/O.NEW.KTOP.TO.W.0068.260621T0255Z-260621T0315Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Topeka KS
955 PM CDT Sat Jun 20 2026

The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northeastern Republic County in north central Kansas...

* Until 1015 PM CDT.

* At 955 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Munden, moving southeast at 25 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado.

  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...
  Munden and Narka.

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 4000 9744 3997 9737 3993 9737 3979 9753
      3993 9767 4000 9760
TIME...MOT...LOC 0255Z 307DEG 23KT 3994 9755 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Prieto
2 follow-up statements
398 
WWUS53 KTOP 210301
SVSTOP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
1001 PM CDT Sat Jun 20 2026

KSC157-210315-
/O.CON.KTOP.TO.W.0068.000000T0000Z-260621T0315Z/
Republic-
1001 PM CDT Sat Jun 20 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1015 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN REPUBLIC COUNTY...

At 1001 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Narka, moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

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...
Munden and Narka.

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.

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 3998 9739 3994 9739 3980 9754 3983 9757
      3993 9763 4000 9757 4000 9744
TIME...MOT...LOC 0301Z 275DEG 17KT 3995 9747 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Prieto
728 
WWUS53 KTOP 210307
SVSTOP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
1007 PM CDT Sat Jun 20 2026

KSC157-210317-
/O.EXP.KTOP.TO.W.0068.000000T0000Z-260621T0315Z/
Republic-
1007 PM CDT Sat Jun 20 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN REPUBLIC COUNTY WILL EXPIRE
AT 1015 PM CDT...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.  However, gusty
winds are still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 300 AM CDT for
north central Kansas.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Topeka.

&&

LAT...LON 3998 9739 3994 9739 3980 9754 3983 9757
      3993 9763 4000 9757 4000 9744
TIME...MOT...LOC 0307Z 315DEG 24KT 3988 9745 

$$

Prieto

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 Jun 20, 6:16 PM CDT, 3 hours 39 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Thunderstorm chances increase this evening, then become likely overnight into Sunday morning (60-90%). Heavy rainfall with flooding and severe storms with damaging winds are the primary concerns, although hail to quarter size and a brief tornado cannot be ruled out.
  • Storms may linger in east central KS Sunday late morning and afternoon (20-50% chance).
  • Temperatures stay a bit cooler than average through next week alongside periodic storm chances.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 20, 6:16 PM CDT, 3 hours 39 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Topeka KS
616 PM CDT Sat Jun 20 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Thunderstorm chances increase this evening, then become likely
overnight into Sunday morning (60-90%). Heavy rainfall with flooding
and severe storms with damaging winds are the primary concerns,
although hail to quarter size and a brief tornado cannot be ruled
out.

- Storms may linger in east central KS Sunday late morning and
afternoon (20-50% chance).

- Temperatures stay a bit cooler than average through next week
alongside periodic storm chances.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 248 PM CDT Sat Jun 20 2026

Surface low pressure has been deepening in eastern CO in response to
an upper trough traversing out of the Great Basin and Intermountain
West region. The surface warm front has started to slowly lift north
through the CWA this morning, likely placed along or just south of
the I-70 corridor based on 19z observations and visible satellite.
Meanwhile, a subtle perturbation rounding the low-amplitude ridge
overhead has helped to trigger elevated supercells in central
Nebraska, which have been following the MUCAPE gradient this morning
into the early afternoon. This trajectory would favor these storms
staying just north of the KS/NE border through the afternoon, which
is what more recent HRRR runs have shown as well.

Our main focus remains on this evening and overnight, and we should
stay quiet until then assuming the above scenario pans out.
Shortwave energy from the aforementioned upper trough looks to eject
across the High Plains this evening and eventually across the MO
River Valley by Sunday morning. This feature will lead to the
development of storms in western KS this evening that will
eventually evolve into an MCS. There is still a bit of uncertainty
in whether any discrete storms can develop along the warm front
earlier this evening (around 02-03z) ahead of the MCS, which looks
to move into our area closer to midnight. If these discrete cells
can develop, this would present more of a threat for hail or
tornadoes than anything later on, as sfc winds are more backed at
this time. They become more veered with the approach of the MCS. All
the while, the strengthening LLJ this evening will continue to pump
in more moisture and provide the lift needed to maintain a severe
weather risk as storms enter north central KS. Damaging winds are
the main severe hazard with a lower risk for hail or a brief spin-up
tornado. Flooding is the other primary concern with storms
overnight. In addition to the MCS coming from western KS, CAMs have
shown more rounds of rainfall with clusters and lines of storms
coming southeastward out of Nebraska. This setup could lead to some
locations getting hit by repeated rounds of heavy rainfall if they
go over the same places again and again. While it is uncertain
exactly where this might happen and where the highest amounts could
be as a result, several CAM solutions show pockets of 3-6" through
Sunday morning. The HREF has a subtle signal for intense rainfall
rates, and more specifically, the HRRR has been indicating 2-3"/hr
rainfall rates may be possible in localized areas. Overall, most
locations can expect to see 1-3", but some will probably see those
locally higher amounts mentioned, which presents a concern for flash
flooding and river flooding. Have made no changes to the going Flood
Watch.

Some of the storms and heavy rain may linger into mid/late morning
in east central KS before it eventually moves out and subsidence
takes over behind the upper wave. From there, the chance of any
redeveloping storms in the afternoon and evening will be highly
dependent on the location of any outflow boundary the morning
convection lays out. That or the synoptic cold front could be the
focus for afternoon storms by that point. Current CAMs have this
activity mainly along and south of I-35 before it pushes south later
in the evening. If storms develop before the boundary moves south,
they could have large hail or damaging winds with them.

Getting into the next work week, our area finds itself in a
northwest flow pattern aloft with ridging parked over the
southwestern US. Embedded perturbations rounding the ridge bring
more chances for storms at times through the next week, but
predictability of the timing and placement of these waves tends to
be lower at this range, so PoPs are generally below 50% at any
particular time period. Temperatures look to hold slightly cooler
than average through the week with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s
and lows in the upper 50s to low 60s.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 616 PM CDT Sat Jun 20 2026

Main changes to the forecast were adjustments in timing of TSRA
expected to develop northwest of terminals, tracking southeast
and entering KMHK as early as 05Z and KTOP/KFOE near 06Z. Tempo
groups were kept where intensity of storms are highest and several
rounds of TSRA where conditions may briefly improve. Low end MVFR cigs
follow behind the main area of storms aft 14Z with gradual improvement
to VFR as the fropa and drier air occurs in the 18-20Z timeframe.

&&

.TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch through Sunday afternoon for KSZ008-KSZ009-KSZ010-
KSZ011-KSZ012-KSZ020-KSZ021-KSZ022-KSZ023-KSZ024-KSZ026-KSZ034-
KSZ035-KSZ036-KSZ037-KSZ038-KSZ039-KSZ040.
Flood Watch through Sunday evening for KSZ054-KSZ055-KSZ056-KSZ058-
KSZ059.

&&

DISCUSSION...Picha
AVIATION...Prieto
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 20, 2:52 PM CDT, 7 hours 3 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Topeka KS
252 PM CDT Sat Jun 20 2026

KSZ008>012-020>024-026-034>040-054>056-058-059-212000-
Republic-Washington-Marshall-Nemaha-Brown-Cloud-Clay-Riley-
Pottawatomie-Jackson-Jefferson-Ottawa-Dickinson-Geary-Morris-
Wabaunsee-Shawnee-Douglas-Lyon-Osage-Franklin-Coffey-Anderson-
252 PM CDT Sat Jun 20 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

Thunderstorms are likely late tonight, especially through the
overnight hours. Primary hazards are damaging winds and heavy
rainfall leading to flooding, although large hail and a brief
tornado cannot be ruled out.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

Severe storms may continue into Sunday morning across east central
KS, along with the potential for heavy rainfall. A few additional
storms may redevelop Sunday afternoon and evening along and south
of Interstate 35.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters may be needed tonight.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 20, 6:14 PM CDT, 3 hours 41 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
614 PM CDT Sat Jun 20 2026

KSZ010-202345-
Marshall-
614 PM CDT Sat Jun 20 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL MARSHALL COUNTY
THROUGH 645 PM CDT...

At 613 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Wymore, moving southeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Strong wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Hail damage to outdoor objects and
         vegetation is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Summerfield and Oketo.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 4000 9629 3987 9645 4000 9675
TIME...MOT...LOC 2313Z 294DEG 33KT 4007 9665

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Prieto

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 20, 9:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPRepublic33 min
Jun 20, 9:50 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPRepublic, Washington40 min
Jun 20, 10:19 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryTOPMarshall, Nemaha9 hr
Jun 20, 10:33 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPBrown27 min
Jun 20, 10:45 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPWashington30 min
Jun 20, 10:57 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPBrown33 min
Jun 20, 11:05 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatTOPBrown25 min
Jun 20, 11:12 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPMarshall, Nemaha33 min
Jun 20, 11:37 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTOPMarshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomie, Riley38 min
Jun 20, 11:54 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryTOPBrown7 hr
Jun 21, 12:28 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryTOPClay, Cloud, Geary, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Riley15 min
Jun 21, 12:34 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPGeary, Pottawatomie, Riley41 min
Jun 21, 12:43 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPClay, Cloud, Geary, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Riley4 hr
Jun 21, 1:01 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPBrown44 min
Jun 21, 1:25 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPDickinson50 min
Jun 21, 1:40 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPGeary, Riley4 hr
Jun 21, 1:44 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningTOPOttawa14 hr
Jun 21, 1:56 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPMorris34 min
Jun 21, 2:20 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningTOPRiley6 hr
Jun 21, 2:29 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTOPOsage31 min
Jun 21, 2:32 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryTOPJackson, Nemaha3 hr
Jun 21, 2:53 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryTOPGeary, Lyon, Morris, Wabaunsee3 hr
Jun 21, 3:04 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningTOPJackson, Jefferson, Osage, Pottawatomie, Shawnee, Wabaunsee4 hr
Jun 21, 3:40 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryTOPDouglas, Franklin, Jefferson, Lyon, Osage, Shawnee and 1 more5 hr
Jun 21, 4:41 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryTOPClay, Geary, Pottawatomie, Riley4 hr
Jun 21, 7:02 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningTOPShawnee4 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.