Hail and Damaging Winds in Kansas, June 15, 2017

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Kansas, June 15, 2017
Start: 2017-06-15T13:00
End: 2017-06-15T19:29
Location: Kansas

June 15, 2017 · NWS DDC · 59 events in 10 counties and zones

Surface low pressure located across west central Kansas had a cold front extending southward into portions of western Kansas with a warm front extending eastward into portions of central Kansas. Storms formed along the warm front, with more development along the cold front as the low slowly moved eastward.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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: 0
Injuries: 1
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 59

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 DDC wrote it up.

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 Dodge City, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 15, 12:42 PM CST, 18 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 15, 12:42 PM CST, 18 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
142 PM CDT Thu Jun 15 2017

...Updated short and long term sections...

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday)
Issued at 135 PM CDT Thu Jun 15 2017

Winds will be mostly zonal over Kansas through tomorrow with an
upper level ridge over northern Mexico and an upper level low
sliding eastward across central Canada. Towards the surface, an
area of low pressure is currently sitting somewhere across west
central Kansas with a cold front extending southward into portions
of western Kansas and a warm front extending eastward into
portions of central Kansas. Storms are progged to first form along
the warm front this afternoon with more development possible along
the cold front as it slowly treks eastward today. The atmosphere
will be very unstable this afternoon with ample CAPE and SHEAR.
That means that any storms that do form will be capable of
becoming severe with large hail and damaging winds being the main
concern. Any storms that do develop are expected to move out of
the CWA by midnight with decreasing cloudiness thereafter. The
frontal boundary mentioned earlier will retrograde back to the
east tomorrow and bifurcate the CWA tomorrow. There will be a
slight chance of storms along northern Kansas and I-70 corridor
late in the afternoon. Otherwise expect clear to partly cloudy
skies. As for temperatures, lows tonight look to range from around
60 degrees along the KS/CO border to upper 60s across south
central Kansas. Highs tomorrow look to soar into the upper 90s
with a few places possibly reaching the 100 degree mark.

.LONG TERM...(Friday night through Thursday)
Issued at 135 PM CDT Thu Jun 15 2017

The CWA looks to remain generally dry through the long term period
as an upper level ridge builds across the southwestern United
States. One exception to this will be Saturday as an upper level
shortwave slides through the Northern Plains and in turn push a
cold front through the area. A few thunderstorms may form across
northern Kansas and northern portions of the CWA. Otherwise, only
an increase in cloud cover will be present. Another exception will
be next Wednesday as models suggest another disturbance moving
through the area. As for temperatures, highs will reach into the
upper 90s to around 100 degrees Saturday then down into the 80s
Sunday behind the aforementioned front. Western Kansas then
rebounds into the 90s for the remainder of the long term period.
Lows will generally be in the 60s to low 70s with the exception of
Sunday night when lows will dip into the upper 50s to lower 60s.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Friday afternoon)
Issued at 1223 PM CDT Thu Jun 15 2017

VFR conditions will prevail today with mostly clear skies with the
exception of around the HYS terminal. A few storms may form around
the HYS terminal this afternoon then slide southeastward into
south central Kansas. Otherwise expect an increase in mid level
clouds around the HYS terminal. A cold front will be draped across
western Kansas this afternoon with a warm front extending westward
through central Kansas. Winds will generally be from the south
ahead of these frontal boundaries with more of an easterly
component north of the warm front and west to northwesterly
component behind the cold front.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
DDC  97  66  98  69 /  10  10  10  10
GCK  97  64 101  65 /   0   0  10   0
EHA  97  62 100  65 /   0   0   0   0
LBL  97  65 101  67 /  10  10   0   0
HYS  95  66  97  68 /  50  10  20  10
P28  98  69  97  72 /  40  60  10  10

&&

.DDC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NONE.
&&

SHORT TERM...Hovorka_42
LONG TERM...Hovorka_42
AVIATION...Hovorka_42

Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 15, 3:31 AM CST, 9 hours 29 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
431 AM CDT Thu Jun 15 2017

KSZ030-031-043>046-061>066-074>081-084>090-160945-
Trego-Ellis-Scott-Lane-Ness-Rush-Hamilton-Kearny-Finney-Hodgeman-
Pawnee-Stafford-Stanton-Grant-Haskell-Gray-Ford-Edwards-Kiowa-
Pratt-Morton-Stevens-Seward-Meade-Clark-Comanche-Barber-
431 AM CDT Thu Jun 15 2017 /331 AM MDT Thu Jun 15 2017/

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central...south
central...southwest and west central Kansas.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Day 1 Discussion
----------------

A weak surface trough will be the focus for a few severe
thunderstorm to develop as early as mid afternoon, generally
along the K-96 corridor, and expanding east/southeast in the
evening.

Day 1 Hazards
-------------
* Tornado: Limited risk
* Hail: Significant risk
* Thunderstorm wind damage: Elevated risk
* Flooding: Limited risk
* Lightning: Limited risk
* Excessive heat: Limited risk

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Days 2-7 Discussion
-------------------

The favored area for thunderstorm chances on Friday is through
the I-70 corridor (Wakeeney/Hays/LaCrosse areas). A cold front
will move into the area late Saturday.

Days 2-7 Hazards
----------------
* Friday
  - Lightning: Limited risk
  - Excessive heat: Limited risk

* Saturday
  - Lightning: Limited risk
  - Severe thunderstorm: Limited risk
  - Excessive heat: Elevated risk

* Sunday
  No hazards.

* Monday
  No hazards.

* Tuesday
  - Lightning: Limited risk
  - Excessive heat: Limited risk

* Wednesday
  - Lightning: Limited risk
  - Excessive heat: Limited risk

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed

&&

For more details visit our webpage http://weather.gov/ddc/ehwo

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 15, 12:27 PM CST, 33 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
127 PM CDT THU JUN 15 2017

KSZ030-031-151930-
Trego KS-Ellis KS-
127 PM CDT THU JUN 15 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL TREGO AND ELLIS COUNTIES
UNTIL 230 PM CDT...

At 127 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm very
near Riga, or 12 miles southeast of Wakeeney, moving east at 25 mph.

Nickel size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Hays, Wakeeney, Ellis, Victoria, Catherine, Ogallah, Walker, Munjor,
Emmeram, Voda, Yocemento, Toulon, Trego Center, Riga, Turkville and
Hays Regional Airport.

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 700 PM CDT for
central and west central Kansas.

LAT...LON 3877 9904 3885 10015 3902 10015 3913 9955
      3913 9904
TIME...MOT...LOC 1827Z 267DEG 24KT 3895 9968

RBURG

The radar

The Dodge City radar (KDDC), 132 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:58 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

47 hail, 12 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Trego

When: June 15, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Trego County, 3.51 mi WSW of Riga
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.930, -99.690

Hail, Trego

When: June 15, 1:09 PM CST
Where: Trego County, 1.07 mi W of Riga
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.950, -99.650

Hail, Ellis

When: June 15, 1:10 PM CST
Where: Ellis County, 1.48 mi NNE of Yocemento
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.920, -99.410

Hail, Ellis

When: June 15, 1:33 PM CST
Where: Ellis County, 2.82 mi N of Hays
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.910, -99.330

Hail, Trego

When: June 15, 1:54 PM CST
Where: Trego County, 0.88 mi NE of Trego Center
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.890, -99.890

Thunderstorm Wind, Ellis

When: June 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Ellis County, 1.75 mi SW of Hays
Measured: 67 kt (77 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 38.850, -99.340

Thunderstorm Wind, Ellis

When: June 15, 2:06 PM CST
Where: Ellis County, (Hys)hays Muni Arpt
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 38.850, -99.270

Hail, Ellis

When: June 15, 2:07 PM CST
Where: Ellis County, 0.54 mi W of Antonino
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.780, -99.390

Hail, Trego

When: June 15, 2:08 PM CST
Where: Trego County, 6.91 mi S of Ogallah
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.880, -99.730

Hail, Ellis

When: June 15, 2:15 PM CST
Where: Ellis County, 3.02 mi WSW of Hays
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.850, -99.370

Thunderstorm Wind, Ellis

When: June 15, 2:15 PM CST
Where: Ellis County, 0.54 mi W of Schoenchen
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.720, -99.330

Damage to trees, fences and some outbuildings.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ellis

When: June 15, 2:15 PM CST
Where: Ellis County, 3.02 mi WSW of Hays
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.850, -99.370

Winds were estimated to be 70 MPH.

Hail, Ellis

When: June 15, 2:32 PM CST
Where: Ellis County, 0.69 mi S of Schoenchen
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.710, -99.320

Thunderstorm Wind, Trego

When: June 15, 2:40 PM CST
Where: Trego County, 8.86 mi ENE of Cedar Bluff Res
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.810, -99.640

Winds were estimated to be 65 MPH.

Hail, Trego

When: June 15, 3:00 PM CST
Where: Trego County, 1.28 mi WSW of Trego Center
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.870, -99.920

Hail, Rush

When: June 15, 3:26 PM CST
Where: Rush County, 2.97 mi SSW of Loretta
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.610, -99.200

The hail was mostly quarter sized.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rush

When: June 15, 3:26 PM CST
Where: Rush County, 2.97 mi SSW of Loretta
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.610, -99.200

Winds were estimated to be 60 to 70 MPH.

Hail, Trego

When: June 15, 3:43 PM CST
Where: Trego County, 6.8 mi SW of Cedar Bluff Res
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.720, -99.900

Hail, Rush

When: June 15, 3:46 PM CST
Where: Rush County, 0.69 mi N of Otis
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.540, -99.050

Hail, Rush

When: June 15, 3:51 PM CST
Where: Rush County, 1.62 mi E of Shaffer
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.470, -99.050

The hail was mostly quarter sized.

Hail, Ness

When: June 15, 3:58 PM CST
Where: Ness County, 4.38 mi NE of Osgood
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.700, -99.820

Hail, Ness

When: June 15, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Ness County, 0.88 mi NW of Ransom
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.640, -99.940

Hail, Pawnee

When: June 15, 4:32 PM CST
Where: Pawnee County, 5.55 mi NE of Larned Pawnee Co Arp
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 38.250, -99.000

Hail, Ness

When: June 15, 4:44 PM CST
Where: Ness County, 2.63 mi SW of Ransom
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.600, -99.960

Hail, Stafford

When: June 15, 4:54 PM CST
Where: Stafford County, 1.77 mi WSW of Seward
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.160, -98.830

Hail, Ness

When: June 15, 5:02 PM CST
Where: Ness County, 5.93 mi SSE of Arnold
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.550, -100.010

Hail, Stafford

When: June 15, 5:05 PM CST
Where: Stafford County, 4.35 mi E of Seward
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.170, -98.720

Hail, Stafford

When: June 15, 5:15 PM CST
Where: Stafford County, 5.63 mi NE of Hudson
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.160, -98.600

Hail, Ness

When: June 15, 5:16 PM CST
Where: Ness County, 4.74 mi NE of Laird
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.500, -99.990

Hail, Ness

When: June 15, 5:25 PM CST
Where: Ness County, 0.54 mi W of Ness City
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.450, -99.910

The hail was mostly quarter sized.

Hail, Ness

When: June 15, 5:28 PM CST
Where: Ness County, 0.69 mi N of Ness City
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.460, -99.900

Hail, Pawnee

When: June 15, 5:36 PM CST
Where: Pawnee County, 6.59 mi SSE of Ray
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.080, -98.930

The hail was mostly nickel sized.

Hail, Comanche

When: June 15, 5:40 PM CST
Where: Comanche County, 15.65 mi ESE of Buttermilk
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.030, -99.060

Thunderstorm Wind, Barber

When: June 15, 5:40 PM CST
Where: Barber County, 1.77 mi NE of Aetna
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.100, -98.950

Winds were estimated to be near 60 MPH.

Hail, Barber

When: June 15, 5:50 PM CST
Where: Barber County, 1.3 mi ENE of Aetna
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.090, -98.950

Hail, Stafford

When: June 15, 5:55 PM CST
Where: Stafford County, 2.81 mi WSW of Dillwyn
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 37.960, -98.880

Hail, Finney

When: June 15, 5:58 PM CST
Where: Finney County, 4.75 mi SW of Kalvesta
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.030, -100.290

Hail, Stafford

When: June 15, 5:58 PM CST
Where: Stafford County, 4.29 mi SSE of St John
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.960, -98.730

Thunderstorm Wind, Barber

When: June 15, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Barber County, 2 mi E of Hardtner
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.020, -98.614

There was also a blowout and fire at a crude oil tank.

Thunderstorm Wind, Barber

When: June 15, 6:01 PM CST
Where: Barber County, Stubbs
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.020, -98.570

A semi truck was blown off the road by the high wind. The driver suffered non-life threatening head injuries but was taken to the hospital.

Hail, Stafford

When: June 15, 6:02 PM CST
Where: Stafford County, 1.49 mi SSW of St John
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.000, -98.760

Hail, Stafford

When: June 15, 6:03 PM CST
Where: Stafford County, 4.29 mi SSE of St John
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.960, -98.730

Hail, Barber

When: June 15, 6:05 PM CST
Where: Barber County, 0.69 mi S of Hardtner
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.010, -98.650

Thunderstorm Wind, Barber

When: June 15, 6:05 PM CST
Where: Barber County, Hardtner
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.020, -98.650

Tree branches were broken by the high wind.

Hail, Barber

When: June 15, 6:06 PM CST
Where: Barber County, 2.07 mi N of Stubbs
Measured: 3 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.050, -98.570

All windows were shattered around the house. There were one foot diameter holes created in the vinyl siding. There could have actually be larger hail that did this damage.

Hail, Stafford

When: June 15, 6:10 PM CST
Where: Stafford County, 1.29 mi WNW of Stafford Arpt
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.960, -98.670

Hail, Barber

When: June 15, 6:15 PM CST
Where: Barber County, 2.35 mi NNE of Kiowa Arpt
Measured: 4 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.050, -98.480

Hail, Stafford

When: June 15, 6:15 PM CST
Where: Stafford County, Stafford
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.970, -98.600

Hail, Stafford

When: June 15, 6:16 PM CST
Where: Stafford County, 2.07 mi S of Stafford
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.940, -98.600

Thunderstorm Wind, Barber

When: June 15, 6:17 PM CST
Where: Barber County, 0.69 mi N of Medicine Lodge
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 37.290, -98.580

Hail, Stafford

When: June 15, 6:18 PM CST
Where: Stafford County, 3.42 mi SE of Stafford Arpt
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.920, -98.600

Hail, Barber

When: June 15, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Barber County, 1.1 mi E of Kiowa Arpt
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.020, -98.480

Hail, Stafford

When: June 15, 6:24 PM CST
Where: Stafford County, 5.16 mi ESE of Leesburg
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.860, -98.600

Hail, Pratt

When: June 15, 6:33 PM CST
Where: Pratt County, 0.88 mi NW of Preston
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.760, -98.560

Hail, Pratt

When: June 15, 6:45 PM CST
Where: Pratt County, 1.49 mi NNW of Iuka
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.750, -98.740

Hail, Pratt

When: June 15, 6:51 PM CST
Where: Pratt County, 4.96 mi NNE of Preston
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.810, -98.500

There was also 60 mph wind with the hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pratt

When: June 15, 6:51 PM CST
Where: Pratt County, 4.96 mi NNE of Preston
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.810, -98.500

There was also golf ball sized hail with the high wind.

Hail, Pratt

When: June 15, 6:57 PM CST
Where: Pratt County, 4.43 mi W of Pratt Muni Arpt
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.690, -98.830

Hail, Pratt

When: June 15, 7:29 PM CST
Where: Pratt County, 0.69 mi N of Cullison
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.640, -98.900

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kansas in 2017 Every state in 2017 This day in weather history Warnings in Kansas, June 2017

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: 711179, 711180, 711181, 711182, 711183, 711233, 711234, 711184, 711185, 711186, 711230, 711235, 711187, 711236, 711188, 711189, 711237, 711190, 711191, 711192, 711193, 711195, 711194, 711196, 711197, 711198, 711199, 711200, 711201, 711202, 711203, 711204, 711206, 711238, 711205, 711207, 711208, 711209, 711240, 711231, and more.