Strong gusty northwest winds developed behind a cold front crossing western |Kansas through the morning as a deepening upper level low began to lift northeast out of the Central Rockies and into the West Central High Plains. Strong cold air advection behind this front developed during the afternoon as 50+ knot 850mb winds mixed down to the surface.
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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.
The episode as NWS DDC wrote it up.
Strong gusty northwest winds developed behind a cold front crossing western |Kansas through the morning as a deepening upper level low began to lift northeast out of the Central Rockies and into the West Central High Plains. Strong cold air advection behind this front developed during the afternoon as 50+ knot 850mb winds mixed down to the surface. Wind speeds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 55 to 60 became common.
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 Apr 13, 4:38 AM CST, 5 hours 22 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Dodge City KS 538 AM CDT Fri Apr 13 2018 ...Updated Aviation Discussion... .UPDATE... Issued at 355 AM CDT Fri Apr 13 2018 Confidence is improving based on the latest models that the strong northwest winds and expected snowfall overnight will result in blizzard conditions at times across Trego and Ellis counties. Near zero visibilities can be expected at times which will produce very dangerous travel conditions, especially along the I-70 corridor. && .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) Issued at 312 AM CDT Fri Apr 13 2018 Models remain in good agreement with strong gusty northwest winds developing behind a cold front that will be crossing western Kansas later this morning as a deepening upper level low begins to lift northeast out of the Central Rockies and moves out into the West Central High Plains. Strong cold air advection behind this front will develop during the afternoon as 50+ knot 850mb winds mix down to the surface. Wind speeds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 55 to 60 still looking likely, especially as a reinforcement of colder air invades western Kansas late day. A high wind warning currently is effect for western Kansas Friday and this warning will continue until our surface to upper low slides east into northwest Missouri on Saturday. As this upper low crosses eastern Colorado later this morning there will be an increase in moisture and lift developing in the 850 to 600mb level across western Kansas. This will not only bring an increase in cloud cover but also deliver a chance for some light precipitation as the strong northwest winds at the surface develop. Any precipitation that does occur early today should fall in the form as rain, however a few of the short term models are hinting at a colder solution which could result some areas seeing a rain snow mix, or even a period of just snow during the afternoon, especially in west central and north central Kansas. Still have some reservations if this will occur but given that the cold frontal passage this morning may end up being quicker than what I was thinking 3 hours ago...the atmosphere may end up cooling quicker than what I anticipate. This would result in some minor snow accumulations late today/early tonight in portions of western and north central Kansas. Based on how warm it have been recently initially most of this snow, should it develop later today, will melt so do not think much if any snow accumulations will be possible through early this evening. The exception to this may be be near and north of the i-70 corridor where up to one half inch is not out of the question. After midnight will be the best chance for accumulating snow and the location most favorable for this will be north of a Scott City to Larned line. Again it looks like at most snowfall will be an inch or less with higher amounts becoming more likely as one travels northward. Further north near the I-70 corridor snow accumulations of one to two inches will not be out of the question if everything comes together just right between midnight and 6 am. Models suggest that the steadier and heavier snowfall potential will exist closer to the Nebraska border than the I-70 corridor in north central Kansas overnight based on the locations of 850mb to 700mb frontogenesis and 1-3km relative humidity values under and just northwest of the 500mb low. When this area of better forcing does begin to move east after midnight it does not appear that it will linger in any one place for an extended period of time so an extended period of steadier and heavier snowfall is not anticipated. That is why snow totals are not expected to be as high as totals further northwest/north. Even though we are currently only anticipating 1-2 inches of snowfall along and just north of the i-70 corridor the strong winds will still produce some travel issues due to blowing snow late tonight and early Saturday. Visibilities will fall at times below one mile but still some uncertainty if blizzard conditions will develop. Wind chills in the single digits also expected so anyone thinking of traveling early Saturday morning in north central Kansas one should continue monitor this event closely for any new updates. Lows tonight will be in the 20s and given the strong gust winds the wind chills late tonight will be in the 5 to 15 degree range across all of western and south central Kansas. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday) Issued at 312 AM CDT Fri Apr 13 2018 Strong northwest winds on Saturday will begin to slowly decrease during the afternoon as the surface to 500mb upper low moves into northwest Missouri. What little chance for snow that may still exist in north central Kansas tapers off early in the day some clearing skies will begin to develop near the Colorado border, as an upper level ridge moves east across the central Rockies. Latest guidance showing highs mainly in the 30s where lingering clouds cover east of Dodge City is expected. Further west where afternoon sunshine develops the highs will be climbing into the 40s. Saturday night will have to watch and see how quickly the winds decrease in western Kansas as an area of high pressure at the surface slides into this area from the northwest. If wind go light between 4 and 8 am Sunday teens may end up being too warm for low Sunday morning in some areas. Sunday through the first part of the work week looks like another nice warming trend as westerly downslope flow improves. Given this time of year can not disagree with temperatures rebounding quickly back into the 80s for portions of southwestern Kansas on Monday. 80s degree highs still appear reasonable for much of western Kansas on Tuesday. && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Saturday morning) Issued at 535 AM CDT Fri Apr 13 2018 As of 10z based on radar and surface observations the surface cold front had already move through Garden CIty and Hays. Extrapolation indicates that this cold front will be through the Dodge CIty and Liberal areas by the time the 12z TAFS become valid. Winds behind this front were already at 20 knots with gusts to 30 knots at Garden City so will begin the TAF period with winds at least this strong. The northwest winds will increase through the remainder of the day with sustained winds of 30 to 35 knots with gusts in excess of 45 knots being possible at times from early this afternoon through 12z Saturday. BUFR models soundings early this morning indicating low VFR or MVFR ceilings (2500 to 6000 FT AGL) developing between 15z and 18z Friday. Ceilings will continue to slowly lower with cloud bases lowering into the 1500 to 2000 FT AGL level after 00z Saturday. In addition the lowering of cloud bases late today and early tonight there will be a chance for some scattered showers. After 06z Saturday in the Hays area the chance for snow will be on the increase and given the strong northwest winds at 30 to 35 knots with gusts of +45 knots there will some blowing snow is also expected. This blowing snow may reduce visibilities to less than 1/4mile at times through the remainder of the TAF period. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 312 AM CDT Fri Apr 13 2018 A strong cold front will cross western Kansas this morning. Ahead of this surface cold front dry and windy conditions will return to portions of extreme southern Kansas. Given the latest timing of this cold frontal passage there still appears to be a chance for red flag warning criteria to be met late this morning and early this afternoon prior to the frontal passage in south central Kansas near the Oklahoma border. North of this boundary strong gusty northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph can be expected as clouds increase and temperatures begin to fall. Despite the increase in relative humidity values during the day and even a chance for some rain this afternoon any outdoor burning is still not recommended given the strong northwesterly winds and the ongoing drought conditions. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... DDC 60 25 41 22 / 30 30 20 0 GCK 52 24 42 21 / 40 30 10 0 EHA 50 27 49 26 / 30 30 0 0 LBL 55 26 47 23 / 30 30 0 0 HYS 56 25 35 20 / 40 70 40 10 P28 76 29 44 24 / 10 20 10 0 && .DDC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... High Wind Warning from noon CDT /11 AM MDT/ today to 7 PM CDT /6 PM MDT/ Saturday for KSZ030-031-043>046-061>066-074>081-084>090. Red Flag Warning from noon today to 7 PM CDT this evening for KSZ081-089-090. Blizzard Warning from 7 PM this evening to 7 PM CDT Saturday for KSZ030-031. && UPDATE...Burgert SHORT TERM...Burgert LONG TERM...Burgert AVIATION...Burgert FIRE WEATHER...Burgert
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Dodge City KS 426 AM CDT Fri Apr 13 2018 KSZ030-031-043>046-061>066-074>081-084>090-140930- 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- 426 AM CDT Fri Apr 13 2018 /326 AM MDT Fri Apr 13 2018/ This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central...south central...southwest and west central Kansas. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Day 1 Discussion ---------------- Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible this afternoon and overnight. Refer to the latest TOPNPWDDC for more details of these strong winds. Snow and Blowing snow will produce near zero visibilities overnight in Trego and Ellis counties. A Blizzard Warning is in effect tonight for Trego and Ellis counties. See TOPWSWDDC for more information. A red flag warning is in effect early today for portions of south central Kansas. Refer to the latest TOPRFWDDC for the latest information. Day 1 Hazards ------------- * Non-thunderstorm wind: Significant risk * Snow: Significant risk* Fire weather: Significant risk .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Days 2-7 Discussion ------------------- Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected early Saturday. Refer to the latest TOPNPWDDC for more details of these strong winds. Snow and Blowing snow will produce near zero visibilities Saturday morning in Trego and Ellis counties. A Blizzard Warning is in effect tonight for Trego and Ellis counties. See TOPWSWDDC for the latest information. Days 2-7 Hazards ---------------- * Saturday - Non thunderstorm wind: Significant risk - Snow: Significant risk - Fire weather: Significant risk * Sunday - Non thunderstorm wind: Limited risk - Fire weather: Elevated risk * Monday - Non thunderstorm wind: Limited risk - Fire weather: Significant risk * Tuesday - Non thunderstorm wind: Limited risk - Fire weather: Extreme risk * Wednesday - Non thunderstorm wind: Limited risk - Fire weather: Elevated risk * Thursday - Non thunderstorm wind: Limited risk - Fire weather: Extreme risk .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight. && For more details visit our webpage http://weather.gov/ddc/ehwo
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
3 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The wind was observed at the Syracuse airport.
The wind was observed near Coolidge.
The wind was observed at the Dodge City airport.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kansas in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Kansas, April 2018
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: 753060, 753061, 753062.