Wildfire and High Wind in Kansas, April 29, 2011

Name: Wildfire and High Wind in Kansas, April 29, 2011
Start: 2011-04-29T09:00
End: 2011-04-29T16:00
Location: Kansas

April 29, 2011 · NWS ICT · 9 events in 5 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 9 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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 1
Injuries: 2
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 9

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 ICT wrote it up.

Strong low pressure over the western high plains resulted in very strong southerly winds across central and south-central Kansas from the late morning through the afternoon on the 29th. Winds were sustained at around 40 mph at times, with periodic gusts to around 60 mph. Some relatively light damage occurred across the area, ranging from downed trees and tree limbs, to a downed power pole. Unfortunately, one boating fatality occurred in Marion County. Furthermore, the strong winds helped fan a 300 acre wildfire over Reno County.

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 Wichita, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 29, 5:55 AM CST, 3 hours 5 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 29, 5:55 AM CST, 3 hours 5 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
655 AM CDT FRI APR 29 2011

.AVIATION...12Z TAFS KRSL/KSLN/KHUT/KICT/KCNU

NO DOUBT THE PRIMARY FOCUS IS ON S WINDS THAT'LL GREATLY INCREASE THIS
MORNING...ESPECIALLY OVER CNTRL & SC KS WHERE A WIND ADVISORY HAS BEEN
ISSUED FROM 29/16Z-30/01Z. WILL NEED TO KEEP VIGIL ON EXTENT OF 20,000
TO 30,000FT CIRROSTRATUS THAT IS SPREADING & WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD E
OVER NRN & CNTRL PLAINS AS A MID-UPR LOW MOVES E FROM THE NRN ROCKIES
TO THE DAKOTAS TODAY. THIS MAY INHIBIT MAX MIXING POTENTIAL SIMILAR TO
ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO. FOR NOW HAVE STAYED THE COURSE IN HAVING WINDS
INCREASE TO ADVISORY CRITERIA LATE THIS MORNING PER CURRENT FCST. LATE
TONIGHT A COLD FRONT WILL VENTURE SE TOWARD...THEN ACROSS...CNTRL KS.
FOR NOW HAVE LEFT THESE LATER PERIODS OUT OF CURRENT FORECAST AS
ARRIVAL TIME OF THE FRONT WILL NOT OCCUR TIL THE FINAL 6 HOURS OF 12Z
TAF CYCLE. HOWEVER ONE SHOULD DEFINITELY MONITOR THE 30/00Z & 30/06Z
TAF ISSUANCES AS THESE TAF CYCLES WILL PROVIDE CONSIDERABLE DETAIL AS
TO FRONT'S ARRIVAL TIME.

&&

PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 220 AM CDT FRI APR 29 2011/

DISCUSSION...
FORECAST CHALLENGES...WINDS TODAY AND THEN PRECIP CHANCES OVER THE
WEEKEND AND EARLY NEXT WEEK.

TODAY-SATURDAY
A DEEPENING LEE SIDE SURFACE TROF IN ADVANCE OF THE APPROACHING
UPPER TROF ACROSS THE NORTHERN ROCKIES WILL RESULT IN A TIGHTENING
PRESSURE GRADIENT ACROSS THE AREA TODAY. THIS IN COMBO WITH RATHER
DEEP MIXING WILL RESULT IN STRONG SOUTHERLY WINDS...WHICH SUPPORTS
THE WIND ADVISORY HEADLINE FROM LATE MORNING UNTIL EARLY EVENING.
THE UPPER TROF WILL MOVE EAST ACROSS THE NORTHERN PLAINS LATER
TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY...WHICH WILL PUSH A COLD FRONT OF MAINLY
PACIFIC ORIGIN ACROSS THE AREA. MODEST LIFT AND MOISTURE RETURN
MAY RESULT IN ISOLATED TO WIDELY SCATTERED CONVECTION...MAINLY ON
SATURDAY ACROSS SOUTHEAST KANSAS. TEMPERATURE-WISE...WILL CONTINUE
TO SHOW WARM/ABOVE NORMAL MAXS TODAY NEAR 80F WITH COOLER/NEAR
CLIMO MAXS ON SATURDAY.

SUNDAY-MONDAY
A PORTION OF THE UPPER TROF WILL REMAIN ORPHANED ACROSS THE FOUR
CORNERS ON SATURDAY NIGHT/SUNDAY...WITH A WEAK PERTURBATION OR TWO
EXPECTED TO RIPPLE EAST-NORTHEAST ACROSS THE AREA. WHILE SOME LIFT
IS EXPECTED ALONG THE MID-LEVEL BAROCLINIC ZONE...DRIER AIR AT
LOWER LEVELS LOOKS TO LIMIT MEASURABLE PRECIP CHANCES SOMEWHAT.
THEREFORE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP RATHER SMALL POPS FOR AREAS MAINLY
ALONG OR SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 54 ON SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY. EVEN
COOLER MODIFIED CANADIAN AIR LOOKS TO ADVECT SOUTH INTO THE AREA
ON SUNDAY...SO WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP MAXS BELOW CLIMO. THE
LINGERING UPPER TROF WILL EJECT EAST ACROSS THE AREA ON MONDAY
INTO MONDAY NIGHT...THOUGH THE RELATIVELY DRY LOW LEVELS LOOK TO
RELEGATE SMALL POPS TO MAINLY THE OKLAHOMA BORDER COUNTIES OF
SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST KANSAS.

TUESDAY-THURSDAY
LITTLE IF ANY CHANGES TO THE MID-WEEK FORECAST ARE EXPECTED WITH
MODEST WARMING AND DRY CONDITIONS EXPECTED ON TUESDAY AND
WEDNESDAY. THE ECMWF WOULD BE MORE SUPPORTIVE OF THE CURRENT
CONVECTIVE CHANCES FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY...WITH ITS
DEPICTION OF AN UPPER TROF AND ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT DROPPING
SOUTH ACROSS THE MIDWEST...AND FOR CONSISTENCY WILL CONTINUE THAT
TREND FOR NOW.

DARMOFAL

AVIATION...06Z TAFS KRSL/KSLN/KHUT/KICT/KCNU
VFR IS ANTICIPATED THROUGH THE 24-HOUR TAF PERIOD WITH LIGHT AND
VARIABLE WINDS TONIGHT. VERY STRONG SOUTHERLY WINDS ARE EXPECTED
TO DEVELOP WITH THE ONSET OF MIXING ON FRIDAY WITH SUSTAINED
SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 30 KNOTS GUSTING TO OVER 40 KNOTS AT TIMES. A
COLD FRONT WILL APPROACH CENTRAL KANSAS TOWARD THE END OF THE TAF
PERIOD SHIFTING WINDS TO THE NORTHWEST.

MWM

FIRE WEATHER...
WITH THE APPROACHING COLD FRONT...WINDS ON FRIDAY WILL GUSTS TO
35-45 MPH. THIS COMBINED WITH ABOVE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES HAVE LEAD
TO HIGH FIRE DANGER ACROSS CENTRAL KANSAS. LOOKING AHEAD...APPEARS
THAT FIRE WEATHER CONCERNS WILL BE LIMITED AS TEMPERATURES WILL BE
COOL...WINDS WILL BE LIGHT...AND GRASSES ARE GREENING UP.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
WICHITA-KICT    80  53  69  42 /   0   0  10  10
HUTCHINSON      80  49  68  40 /   0  10  10  10
NEWTON          79  51  68  41 /   0  10  10  10
ELDORADO        79  54  69  42 /   0  10  20  10
WINFIELD-KWLD   80  56  70  44 /   0   0  10  20
RUSSELL         82  45  65  38 /  10  20  10  10
GREAT BEND      82  45  66  38 /   0  10  10  10
SALINA          80  49  67  40 /   0  20  10  10
MCPHERSON       80  49  67  40 /   0  10  10  10
COFFEYVILLE     79  57  71  46 /  10  10  30  20
CHANUTE         78  56  70  43 /  10  10  20  20
IOLA            78  55  69  43 /  10  10  20  10
PARSONS-KPPF    79  57  70  44 /  10  10  30  20

&&

.ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WIND ADVISORY FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING
FOR KSZ032-033-047>053-067>070-082-083-091>093.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 29, 9:00 AM CST, 0 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
1000 AM CDT FRI APR 29 2011

KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-301500-
RUSSELL-LINCOLN-BARTON-ELLSWORTH-SALINE-RICE-MCPHERSON-MARION-CHASE-
RENO-HARVEY-BUTLER-GREENWOOD-WOODSON-ALLEN-KINGMAN-SEDGWICK-HARPER-
SUMNER-COWLEY-ELK-WILSON-NEOSHO-CHAUTAUQUA-MONTGOMERY-LABETTE-
1000 AM CDT FRI APR 29 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL KANSAS...
SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS AND SOUTHEAST KANSAS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

STRONG SOUTH WINDS ARE EXPECTED TODAY. PLEASE REFER TO THE LATEST
WIND ADVISORY STATEMENT FOR DETAILS. VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER IS
EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON ACROSS RUSSELL AND BARTON COUNTIES.

THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS TONIGHT FOR AREAS ALONG
AND NORTH OF I-70 IN CENTRAL KANSAS. THESE STORMS ARE NOT EXPECTED
TO BE STRONG OR SEVERE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS ON SATURDAY ACROSS THE
FLINT HILLS AND SOUTHEAST KANSAS. AN ISOLATED STRONG STORM IS
POSSIBLE FOR AREAS SOUTHEAST OF A CHANUTE TO CANEY LINE IN THE
EARLY AFTERNOON.

THERE WILL BE ANOTHER CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS MUCH OF THE
AREA BY WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY. AT THIS TIME...THE CHANCES
FOR ORGANIZED SEVERE WEATHER APPEAR TO BE LOW.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED TODAY OR TONIGHT.

&&

FOR A GRAPHICAL VERSION OF THIS INFORMATION...SEE OUR
WEBPAGE AT (LOWERCASE) HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/WICHITA/HWO/HWO.PHP

KED/ADK

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

7 high wind, 1 wildfire, 1 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Wildfire, Reno

When: April 29, 9:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where: Reno forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 37.953, -98.086 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong southerly winds fueled a 300 acre wildfire during the morning and afternoon on the 29th. The fire started from the rekindling of a controlled burn the day before, affecting locations near Highway 61, between 56th and 69th Avenues. At least 72 homes were notified to voluntarily evacuate. No known injuries or property damage occurred. The Salina Journal and Wichita Eagle contributed to this report.

High Wind, McPherson

When: April 29, 11:40 AM CST
Where: McPherson forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 38.392, -97.648 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Measured at the McPherson Airport.

High Wind, Sedgwick

When: April 29, 11:51 AM CST
Where: Sedgwick forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 37.685, -97.461 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Measured at Mid-Continent Airport.

High Wind, Sedgwick

When: April 29, 11:54 AM CST
Where: Sedgwick forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 37.685, -97.461 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Measured by a KSN PinPoint WeatherLab at Maize High School.

High Wind, Sedgwick

When: April 29, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Sedgwick forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 37.685, -97.461 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High winds downed a power pole onto a car near the intersection of Central and Woodlawn in East Wichita. Another utility pole was downed over Northeast Wichita. Dozens of reports of downed power lines were received. Also reported was a large tree downed over West Wichita, which destroyed a gazebo. Another downed tree damaged a car and a house in Midtown Wichita. Additionally, a large tree was downed near the intersection of Maple and Maize in West Wichita. Property damage amounts are rough estimates. The Wichita Eagle contributed to this report.

Strong Wind, Marion

When: April 29, 12:41 PM CST
Where: Marion forecast zone
Measured: 48 kt (55 mph) estimated gust
Deaths: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Injuries: 0 direct, 2 indirect
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Park/Forest Service
Coordinates: 38.359, -97.097 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A 70-year old man was killed and two others injured when their boat on Marion Reservoir was swamped by 5 to 6 foot swells, created by strong southerly winds. All three men were wearing life jackets. Information courtesy of Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Property damage amounts are rough estimates.

High Wind, Reno

When: April 29, 12:53 PM CST
Where: Reno forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 37.953, -98.086 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Measured at the Hutchinson Airport. Also, several tree branches were downed at Carey Park in South Hutchinson.

High Wind, Butler

When: April 29, 1:07 PM CST
Where: Butler forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.781, -96.839 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Reno

When: April 29, 1:31 PM CST
Where: Reno forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 37.953, -98.086 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Measured at the Hutchinson Airport.

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
Strong Wind, Marion	2011-04-29	70	Male	Boating	Indirect

What these are

Wildfire: A fire burning in wildland vegetation, with its acreage and damage where known.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Strong Wind: Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kansas in 2011 Every state in 2011 This day in weather history Warnings in Kansas, April 2011

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: 301199, 301177, 301178, 301179, 301180, 301184, 301181, 301182, 301183.