Thunderstorm Wind, Sherman
- When
- May 29, 3:23 PM MST
- Where
- Sherman County, 7 mi N of Ruleton
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 39.351, -101.720 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Hail and Damaging Winds in Kansas, May 29, 2004
This major, widespread damaging wind event began during the afternoon as thunderstorms developed across eastern Colorado and moved into extreme NW Kansas and extreme SW Nebraska. The event transitioned from small hail events and individual thunderstorm downbursts producing minor damage to a large scale high-wind event sweeping rapidly east away from the parent thunderstorms.
Where it happened
Every event with a place to put it; 7 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The toll
- Deaths
- 2
- Injuries
- 2
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 48
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
What happened
The episode as NWS GLD wrote it up.
This major, widespread damaging wind event began during the afternoon as thunderstorms developed across eastern Colorado and moved into extreme NW Kansas and extreme SW Nebraska. The event transitioned from small hail events and individual thunderstorm downbursts producing minor damage to a large scale high-wind event sweeping rapidly east away from the parent thunderstorms. Widespread winds of 60 to 70 mph occurred with swaths of stronger winds reaching over 90 mph. Tree damage was extensive over a 10 county area with some trees 18 to 24 inches in diameter being snapped off above ground. Numerous reports were received of small buildings and sheds destroyed along with widespread roof damage. Power poles were also either pushed over or broken, resulting in areas of power outage for 1-2 hours. A huge cloud of dirt was raised as the strong outflow raced eastward, likely enhanced by several years of dry soils. Visibility was instantly reduced to near zero with law enforcement and rescue personnel stating it was difficult to see beyond the vehicle hood when driving. Two fatalities were reported on Interstate-70, including the death of a Kansas state senator, whose vehicle was struck from behind by a semi-trailer as he slowed down in reduced visibility. Other vehicular accidents also occurred on county highways resulting in minor property damage.
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Goodland, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 29, 3:00 PM MST, 23 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, May 29, 3:00 PM MST, 23 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS 400 PM MDT SAT MAY 29 2004 .DISCUSSION...CHALLENGES ARE SEVERE WEATHER AND WIND POSSIBILITIES TONIGHT AND TEMPEATURES THROUGH TUE. BOUNDARY/COLD FRONT LIES ORIENTED NE TO SW FROM NEAR MCCOOK NEB TO NEAR TRIBUNE KS. IT CONTINUES TO MOVE VERY SLOWLY TO THE EAST. FROM THERE TO THE EAST DEWPOINTS FROM THE UPPER 40S TO UPPER 50S...COMBINED WITH A WEAKENING CAP...90+ HEAT AND 3000+ JOULES OF ENERGY ARE BEGINNING TO RESULT IN CUMULUS FIELDS AS SEEN ON VISIBLE SAT. EXPECT SCT TSRAS TO DEVELOP RAPIDLY IN THE AREA...WITH THE STRONGEST AND LONGEST (LIKELY) IN THE FAR EAST WHERE CAPE IS GREATEST AND A TORNADO WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED. THE SCENARIO LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT IS COMPLICATED BY AN UPPER LEVEL SHORTWAVE NOW MOVING THROUGH CO AND KICKING OFF AN AREA OF THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EASTERN CO NOW BEGINNING TO APPROACH/MOVE INTO MY CWA FROM THE WEST. AM CURRENTLY ISSUING A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY CWA. BEHIND THIS FAST MOVING TROUGH MODELS INDICATE A TRAILING STRONG SUBSIDENCE FIELD WHICH LOOKS AS IF IT WILL PUSH THE GENERAL NW WIND FIELD INTO THE ADVISORY AREA FOR A FEW HOURS AS IT MOVES ACROSS THE AREA SEVERAL HOURS BEHIND THE THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY. ALL IN ALL A VERY ACTIVE NIGHT WITH THE ATMOSPHERE BEGINNING TO STABILIZE SOME BEFORE DAWN. PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED TO END BEFORE DAWN WITH SKIES CLEARING FROM THE NIGHT FROM THE WEST. FROM THERE THE AREA COMES UNDER THE AFFECT OF SURFACE HIGH PRESSURE AND NW UPPER FLOW THROUGH MID WEEK. NO PRECIPITATION WITH TEMPERATURES BELOW NORMAL INTO WED. THEN...AS NOTED FOR THE LAST TWO DAYS...TEMPERATURES BEGIN TO WARM AND A SERIES OF SHORTWAVES BEGIN TO RETURN THE CHANCE OF AFTERNOON AND EVENING THUNDERSTORMS TO THE AREA. HOWEVER A DRYING TREND LOOKS TO OCCUR BY THE WEEKEND. THANKS PARTICULARLY TO LBF AND DDC FOR COLLABORATION. && .GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KS...A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM CDT FOR NORTON AND GRAHAM COUNTIES. A SVR THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT (10 PM CDT) FOR THE REMAINDER OF NW KS. FINALLY A WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CDT/MIDNIGHT MDT FOR ENTIRE AREA. NE...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT (10 PM CDT). A WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1AM CDT/MIDNIGHT MDT. CO...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT. A WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT. && RJC
Hazardous weather outlook, May 29, 9:36 AM MST, 5 hours 47 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS 1036 AM MDT SAT MAY 29 2004 COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-301200- CHEYENNE KS-CHEYENNE COUNTY CO-DECATUR KS-DUNDY NE-GOVE KS-GRAHAM KS- GREELEY KS-HITCHCOCK NE-KIT CARSON COUNTY CO-LOGAN KS-NORTON KS- RAWLINS KS-RED WILLOW NE-SHERIDAN KS-SHERMAN KS-THOMAS KS-WALLACE KS- WICHITA KS-YUMA COUNTY CO- THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHWEST KANSAS...EXTREME SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA...AND EAST CENTRAL COLORADO. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT THERE IS A MODERATE TO HIGH RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING TORNADOES THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING EAST OF HIGHWAY 83 FROM MCCOOK NEBRASKA TO GRAINFIELD KANSAS. THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH LARGE HAIL EAST OF A LINE FROM YUMA COLORADO TO KIT CARSON COLORADO. ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE. THIS AREA EXTENDS EAST INTO NORTHWEST KANSAS AND SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA TO HIGHWAY 83. SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON ALONG A COLD FRONT AND DRYLINE MOVING EAST ACROSS THE TRI STATE AREA. A STRONG UPPER LOW PRESSURE MOVING OUT OF THE ROCKIES WILL INTERACT WITH A MOIST AND UNSTABLE AIRMASS ACROSS THE REGION. SUPERCELL THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP AND MOVE NORTHEAST WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR BASEBALL SIZE HAIL AND DAMAGING TORNADOES ESPECIALLY EAST OF HIGHWAY 83 IN KANSAS AND NEBRASKA. EVERYONE SHOULD WEATHER TAKE THIS WEATHER THREAT SERIOUSLY AND PLAN AHEAD FOR STORM SAFETY SHELTERS AND OTHER PRECAUTIONS. STAY TUNED TO LOCAL RADIO AND TV FOR UPDATES TO THIS DEVELOPING SEVERE WEATHER SITUATION. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY THERE WILL BE A SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE TRI STATE REGION EACH EVENING FROM WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. THE MAIN THREAT WITH THESE STORMS WILL BE DEADLY CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL BE LIKELY THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. FS
In the hours before
Special weather statement, May 29, 1:08 PM MST, 2 hours 15 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS 208 PM MDT SAT MAY 29 2004 KSZ004-016-300300- GRAHAM-NORTON- 308 PM CDT SAT MAY 29 2004 ...TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 323 IN EFFECT FOR PART OF NORTHWEST KANSAS UNTIL 10 PM CDT... THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 323 FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES IN THE TRI-STATE AREA FROM 300 PM CDT UNTIL 10 PM CDT. IN KANSAS...NORTON AND GRAHAM CITIES INCLUDED IN THE WATCH ARE...NORTON AND HILL CITY DESTRUCTIVE TORNADOES...HAIL TO 4 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 80 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS. REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS. FS
Local storm report, May 29, 1:36 PM MST, 1 hour 47 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
236 PM MDT SAT MAY 29 2004
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION...ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0236 PM HAIL 14 N FLAGLER 39.50N 103.07W
05/29/2004 0.75 INCH KIT CARSON CO LAW ENFORCEMENT
&&
JOHNSONSpecial weather statement, May 29, 1:56 PM MST, 1 hour 27 minutes before
COZ090>092-KSZ001>003-013>015-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-300300- SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...CORRECTION TO TYPE OF WATCH NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS 256 PM MDT SAT MAY 29 2004 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH NUMBER 325 IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF EASTERN COLORADO...NORTHWEST KANSAS AND SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA UNTIL 9 PM MDT (10 PM CDT)... THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH NUMBER 325 FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES IN THE TRI-STATE AREA FROM 300 PM MDT (400 PM CDT) UNTIL 900 PM MDT (1000 PM CDT). IN COLORADO...YUMA...KIT CARSON...CHEYENNE IN NEBRASKA...DUNDY...HITCHCOCK...RED WILLOW IN KANSAS...CHEYENNE...RAWLINS...DECATUR...SHERMAN...THOMAS... SHERIDAN...WALLACE...LOGAN...GOVE...GREELEY...WICHITA. HAIL TO 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 70 MPH... AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS. REMEMBER...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS. SEVERE THUNDERSTROMS CAN AND OCCASIONALLY DO PRODUCE TORNADOES. FS
Local storm report, May 29, 2:19 PM MST, 1 hour 4 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
319 PM MDT SAT MAY 29 2004
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION...ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0305 PM HAIL 15 N SEIBERT 39.52N 102.87W
05/29/2004 0.75 INCH KIT CARSON CO PUBLIC
&&
JOHNSONLocal storm report, May 29, 2:43 PM MST, 40 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
343 PM MDT SAT MAY 29 2004
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION...ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0320 PM HAIL SEIBERT 39.30N 102.87W
05/29/2004 0.75 INCH KIT CARSON CO TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
JOHNSONLocal storm report, May 29, 2:51 PM MST, 32 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
351 PM MDT SAT MAY 29 2004
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION...ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0349 PM HAIL 5 N BURLINGTON 39.38N 102.27W
05/29/2004 1.00 INCH KIT CARSON CO NWS EMPLOYEE
&&
JOHNSONThe radar
The Goodland radar (KGLD), 2 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:31 UTC.
Event by event
40 thunderstorm wind, 7 high wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Thunderstorm Wind, Sherman
- When
- May 29, 3:27 PM MST
- Where
- Sherman County, Ruleton
- Measured
- 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
- Coordinates
- 39.351, -101.720 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Zero visibility in blowing dirt
Thunderstorm Wind, Sherman
- When
- May 29, 3:28 PM MST
- Where
- Sherman County, Ruleton
- Measured
- 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
- Coordinates
- 39.351, -101.720 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Thunderstorm Wind, Cheyenne
- When
- May 29, 3:30 PM MST
- Where
- Cheyenne County, 14 mi NW of St Francis
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 39.400, -101.050
4.5 inch diameter tree limbs down.
Thunderstorm Wind, Sherman
- When
- May 29, 3:36 PM MST
- Where
- Sherman County, 13 mi W of Goodland
- Measured
- 67 kt (77 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- GENERAL PUBLIC
- Coordinates
- 39.817, -100.517
Thunderstorm Wind, Cheyenne
- When
- May 29, 3:38 PM MST
- Where
- Cheyenne County, 13 mi S of St Francis
- Measured
- 78 kt (90 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 40.000, -101.050
Heavy damage to barn and farm equipment with significant tree damage.
Thunderstorm Wind, Cheyenne
- When
- May 29, 3:39 PM MST
- Where
- Cheyenne County, 14 mi NW of St Francis
- Measured
- 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- GENERAL PUBLIC
- Coordinates
- 39.786, -101.731 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Thunderstorm Wind, Cheyenne
- When
- May 29, 3:40 PM MST
- Where
- Cheyenne County, St Francis
- Measured
- 69 kt (79 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- EMERGENCY MANAGER
- Coordinates
- 39.783, -101.083
Fuel tank blown over near Good Samaritan assisted living center. Time estimated based on nearby reports.
Thunderstorm Wind, Sherman
- When
- May 29, 3:45 PM MST
- Where
- Sherman County, 4 mi W of Goodland
- Measured
- 58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
- Coordinates
- 39.833, -99.883
Thunderstorm Wind, Sherman
- When
- May 29, 3:45 PM MST
- Where
- Sherman County, 7 mi NW of Goodland
- Measured
- 69 kt (79 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- GENERAL PUBLIC
- Coordinates
- 39.900, -101.100
Two 30-foot cottonwood trees down laying to the east. A 40x80 foot shed (door closed) heavily damaged. Irrigation pivot and first tower laying down to southeast. Witness stated a wall of dirt came in rapidly from the west producing the damage. Time estimated based on nearby reports.
Thunderstorm Wind, Sherman
- When
- May 29, 3:48 PM MST
- Where
- Sherman County, 8 mi NE of Goodland
- Measured
- 74 kt (85 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 39.417, -101.817
Thunderstorm Wind, Sherman
- When
- May 29, 3:48 PM MST
- Where
- Sherman County, Ruleton
- Measured
- 59 kt (68 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
- Coordinates
- 39.767, -101.800
Zero visibility on highway 24 for 15 minutes
Hail, Cheyenne
- When
- May 29, 3:55 PM MST
- Where
- Cheyenne County, 3 mi W of St Francis
- Measured
- 0.75 in hail
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 39.983, -100.567
Hail covered the ground.
Thunderstorm Wind, Sherman
- When
- May 29, 3:59 PM MST
- Where
- Sherman County, Goodland
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
- Coordinates
- 39.351, -101.720 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
3 inch diameter branches broken, minor roof damage.
Thunderstorm Wind, Sherman
- When
- May 29, 3:59 PM MST
- Where
- Sherman County, Goodland Arpt
- Measured
- 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
- Coordinates
- 39.433, -101.883
Measured by GLD ASOS
Thunderstorm Wind, Sherman
- When
- May 29, 4:00 PM MST
- Where
- Sherman County, 4 mi W of Goodland
- Measured
- 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
- Coordinates
- 39.333, -101.883
High Wind, Wallace
- When
- May 29, 4:00 PM MST to 6:00 PM MST
- Where
- Wallace forecast zone
- Measured
- 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 39.867, -101.150
Strong outflow from thunderstorms over Sherman and Kit Carson counties produced winds of 65 mph and broke tree branches upo to 18 inches in diameter in the town of Wallace.
Thunderstorm Wind, Sherman
- When
- May 29, 4:03 PM MST
- Where
- Sherman County, Goodland Arpt
- Measured
- 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
- Coordinates
- 39.333, -101.883
Measured by GLD ASOS.
Thunderstorm Wind, Cheyenne
- When
- May 29, 4:06 PM MST
- Where
- Cheyenne County, Bird City
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 39.350, -101.967
Minor tree damage.
Thunderstorm Wind, Sherman
- When
- May 29, 4:11 PM MST
- Where
- Sherman County, Goodland
- Measured
- 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
- Deaths
- 1 direct, 0 indirect
- Injuries
- 1 direct, 0 indirect
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 39.817, -100.517
Widespread tree damage in town with 6-8 inch diameter branches down. Near zero visibility in blowing dirt resulted in a fatal accident on interstate-70 when the driver slowed down due to reduced visibility and was hit from behind.
Thunderstorm Wind, Sherman
- When
- May 29, 4:12 PM MST
- Where
- Sherman County, Goodland Arpt
- Measured
- 58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
- Coordinates
- 39.583, -101.800
Measured by GLD ASOS.
Thunderstorm Wind, Thomas
- When
- May 29, 4:14 PM MST
- Where
- Thomas County, Brewster
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- LAW ENFORCEMENT
- Coordinates
- 39.917, -101.983
Thunderstorm Wind, Rawlins
- When
- May 29, 4:15 PM MST
- Where
- Rawlins County, Mc Donald
- Measured
- 54 kt (62 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- LAW ENFORCEMENT
- Coordinates
- 39.350, -101.783
Numerous trees uprooted, large limbs broken.
Thunderstorm Wind, Thomas
- When
- May 29, 4:20 PM MST
- Where
- Thomas County, 5 mi NW of Levant
- Measured
- 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 39.433, -101.617
Thunderstorm Wind, Thomas
- When
- May 29, 4:30 PM MST
- Where
- Thomas County, Colby
- Measured
- 59 kt (68 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- AMATEUR RADIO
- Coordinates
- 39.333, -101.883
Zero visibility in blowing dirt.
Thunderstorm Wind, Rawlins
- When
- May 29, 4:30 PM MST
- Where
- Rawlins County, 7 mi NNW of Atwood
- Measured
- 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- GENERAL PUBLIC
- Coordinates
- 39.983, -100.550
24-inch diameter live tree snapped off 1 foot above ground. tree was 35 feet tall.
Thunderstorm Wind, Rawlins
- When
- May 29, 4:30 PM MST
- Where
- Rawlins County, 2 mi SW of Atwood
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 39.817, -100.517
Large limbs down.
Thunderstorm Wind, Rawlins
- When
- May 29, 4:35 PM MST
- Where
- Rawlins County, 7 mi NW of Atwood
- Measured
- 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- GENERAL PUBLIC
- Coordinates
- 39.767, -101.850
Roofs heavily damaged, cars described as destroyed, 1 foot diameter trees down.
High Wind, Thomas
- When
- May 29, 4:47 PM MST
- Where
- Thomas forecast zone
- Measured
- 58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 39.600, -100.000
Metal roofs ripped from buildings and several power poles were broken 5 miles east of Colby.
Thunderstorm Wind, Rawlins
- When
- May 29, 4:56 PM MST
- Where
- Rawlins County, Atwood
- Measured
- 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 39.950, -100.183
High Wind, Logan
- When
- May 29, 5:00 PM MST to 7:00 PM MST
- Where
- Logan forecast zone
- Measured
- 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
- Deaths
- 1 direct, 0 indirect
- Reported by
- LAW ENFORCEMENT
- Coordinates
- 39.750, -100.150
2-4 inch branches littering the ground. Power out on west side of Oakley for 4 hours. Low visibility in blowing dirt for over an hour. Fatal accident killing a state senator on Interstate-70 occurred in period of near zero visibility.
High Wind, Gove
- When
- May 29, 5:00 PM MST to 7:00 PM MST
- Where
- Gove forecast zone
- Measured
- 60 kt (69 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 39.950, -100.050
Roof and greenhouse damage. Visibility under 1/4 mile in blowing dirt.
High Wind, Sheridan
- When
- May 29, 5:00 PM MST to 7:00 PM MST
- Where
- Sheridan forecast zone
- Measured
- 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 39.883, -99.700
8-inch diameter branches down. Sustained winds 50-55 mph.
High Wind, Graham
- When
- May 29, 5:00 PM MST to 6:00 PM MST
- Where
- Graham forecast zone
- Measured
- 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 39.350, -99.883 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Ten inch diameter branches broken.
Thunderstorm Wind, Decatur
- When
- May 29, 5:05 PM MST
- Where
- Decatur County, Oberlin
- Measured
- 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- AMATEUR RADIO
- Coordinates
- 39.600, -100.000
Thunderstorm Wind, Decatur
- When
- May 29, 5:14 PM MST
- Where
- Decatur County, Oberlin
- Measured
- 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 39.350, -101.717
Oberlin Elementary School
Thunderstorm Wind, Rawlins
- When
- May 29, 5:15 PM MST
- Where
- Rawlins County, 14 mi N of Atwood
- Measured
- 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 39.917, -101.983
1-foot diameter limbs broken. Roof and wall damage to old buildings.
Thunderstorm Wind, Decatur
- When
- May 29, 5:21 PM MST
- Where
- Decatur County, Cedar Bluffs
- Measured
- 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- LAW ENFORCEMENT
- Coordinates
- 39.367, -101.700
Power poles snapped, lines down and started a fire.
Thunderstorm Wind, Decatur
- When
- May 29, 5:25 PM MST
- Where
- Decatur County, 1 mi W of Cedar Bluffs
- Measured
- 69 kt (79 mph) estimated gust
- Injuries
- 1 direct, 0 indirect
- Reported by
- LAW ENFORCEMENT
- Coordinates
- 39.800, -101.050
Small building destroyed and boy was struck in the head by flying 2x4 board. Boy sent to hospital.
Thunderstorm Wind, Decatur
- When
- May 29, 5:26 PM MST
- Where
- Decatur County, Oberlin
- Measured
- 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- LAW ENFORCEMENT
- Coordinates
- 39.350, -101.783
Tree fell through a wall of a house, heavily damaging the home.
Thunderstorm Wind, Decatur
- When
- May 29, 5:28 PM MST
- Where
- Decatur County, 8 mi N of Norcatur
- Measured
- 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- LAW ENFORCEMENT
- Coordinates
- 39.367, -101.700
Two power poles snapped, lines fell on haystacks and started fires.
Thunderstorm Wind, Norton
- When
- May 29, 5:30 PM MST
- Where
- Norton County, 2 mi NE of Clayton
- Measured
- 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 39.750, -101.533
Thunderstorm Wind, Norton
- When
- May 29, 5:50 PM MST
- Where
- Norton County, Norton
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 39.350, -101.717
Tree limbs down. Parts of town without power for an hour.
Thunderstorm Wind, Norton
- When
- May 29, 5:58 PM MST
- Where
- Norton County, Almena
- Measured
- 58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 39.783, -101.367
Nothern Valley High School
High Wind, Rawlins
- When
- May 29, 6:00 PM MST to 8:00 PM MST
- Where
- Rawlins forecast zone
- Measured
- 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 39.785, -101.076 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Thunderstorm Wind, Norton
- When
- May 29, 6:13 PM MST
- Where
- Norton County, Lenora
- Measured
- 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 39.433, -101.267
Thunderstorm Wind, Norton
- When
- May 29, 6:33 PM MST
- Where
- Norton County, Lenora
- Measured
- 58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 39.367, -101.700
Thunderstorm Wind, Norton
- When
- May 29, 6:39 PM MST
- Where
- Norton County, 12 mi NW of Norton
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- GENERAL PUBLIC
- Coordinates
- 39.367, -101.383
3 to 4 inch diameter branches down.
The people who died
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Wind, Graham | 2004-05-29 | 49 | Male | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
| Thunderstorm Wind, Norton | 2004-05-29 | 72 | Male | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
What these are
- Thunderstorm Wind
- Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
- Hail
- Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
- High Wind
- Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
The same day elsewhere
- Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Missouri, May 29 to 30, 2004
- Tornadoes and Hail in Kansas, May 29 to 30, 2004
- Tornadoes and Damaging Wind in Oklahoma, May 29 to 30, 2004
- Tornadoes and Hail in Oklahoma, May 29, 2004
- Tornadoes and Hail in Kansas, May 29, 2004
- Lightning Strike in Colorado, May 29, 2004
- Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Nebraska, May 29, 2004
- Tornadoes and Hail in Kansas, May 29, 2004
- Tornado and Hail in Kansas, May 29, 2004
- Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Nebraska, May 29 to 30, 2004
- Flash Flood in South Dakota, May 29 to 30, 2004
- Damaging Winds in Minnesota, May 29, 2004
More
Every storm in Kansas in 2004Every state in 2004This day in weather historyWarnings in Kansas, May 2004
Sources
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5402805, 5402806, 5402807, 5402908, 5402808, 5402809, 5402810, 5403204, 5402811, 5403203, 5402812, 5402813, 5402814, 5402815, 5402816, 5402817, 5402909, 5402818, 5402819, 5402910, 5402820, 5402821, 5402822, 5402823, 5402897, 5402911, 5402912, 5402898, 5402915, 5402913, 5402914, 5402916, 5402997, 5403206, 5402998, 5402899, 5402999, 5402900, 5403205, 5402901, and more.