A large cluster of t-storms developed during the afternoon of May 2 across central Kansas. The cluster evolved into a line or lines of storms that moved across northeast and east central Kansas during the afternoon and evening of May 2.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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 TOP wrote it up.
A large cluster of t-storms developed during the afternoon of May 2 across central Kansas. The cluster evolved into a line or lines of storms that moved across northeast and east central Kansas during the afternoon and evening of May 2. Wind damage reports occurred in addition to a few tornado reports with the lines. At least 3 documented tornadoes occurred but all were short lived and relatively weak.
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 Topeka, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 2, 1:26 PM CST, 1 hour 39 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Topeka KS 226 PM CDT Wed May 2 2018 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Thursday) Issued at 217 PM CDT Wed May 2 2018 Mid to upper-level closed low pressure is currently located over AZ with a broad cyclonic jet streak rounding the base and spreading over the plains. At the surface there is a quasi- stationary boundary stretching from southwest KS into southeast NE with a dry line extending southward through the TX Panhandle. A weak midlevel shortwave trough has ejected from the parent low pressure and is currently lifting northeastward over the TX Panhandle. This wave has provided enough ascent for storms to initiate along the stationary boundary in southwest KS where low- level convergence has maximized. Sufficient low-level tropospheric moisture return has resulted in mid to upper 60 dew points within the buoyant sector across eastern KS. This along with steep midlevel lapse rates has yielded ML CAPE upwards of 3000 J/kg with very little CIN in place. Pockets of partly cloudy skies has allowed surface heating to further destabilize the warm sector. Surface winds along and near the stationary boundary have veered to the southwest while the winds across east central KS have remained out of the south and backed locally. As that wave lifts northeastward the midlevel winds increase resulting in effective bulk shear of 45 kt and elongated hodographs. The effective SRH should become maximized around 100-200 m2/s2 mainly across east central KS deepening on the exact location of the midlevel speed. Convective initiation has already began along the boundary in southwest KS, and storms are forecasted to move northeastward through central KS. If a cold pool can become established this cluster of storms could accelerate through the area as a line or bowing segments. Given the CAPE and shear embedded supercells are possible. As the convective outflow progresses eastward additional storm development is likely as it moves into east central KS. There is an outside chance for an isolated supercell ahead of the line. The 0-3 km shear is out of the southwest so if any segment becomes orientated northwest to southeast the tornado potential increases. If storms are able to stay semi-discrete then the tornado potential increases as well. Damaging wind will be the most likely threat although very large hail is possible with any supercells. Wind driven hail could also be possible with any bowing segments or embedded supercells. The convection should continue to advance eastward through the early evening and exit the area around midnight. The uncertainty will be additional development as the low-level jet increases tonight. Isolated to scattered storms could linger into the early morning as moisture convergence becomes maximized over the area tonight. The PW values are relative high for this time of year and warm cloud depths are fairly deep. This will result in efficient rainfall producers so amounts could range from 1-2" with locally higher amounts especially if the later development can train over the same locations impacted earlier. The flash flood watch has been expanded eastward to highlight this threat through tomorrow morning. Tomorrow the main mid to upper-level low begins to lift out of the southwest, which will force the boundary eastward. Depending on the morning activity and speed of the low strong to severe storms could develop along the boundary as it moves through far northeast and east central KS tomorrow afternoon and or evening. There will be plenty of instability within the buoyant sector although destabilization will depend on morning activity and cloud coverage. The deep layer shear appears to be orientated orthogonal to the boundary and forcing will be strong therefore convection could go linear quickly. Given the deep layer shear perhaps initial semi-discrete supercells will be possible. .LONG TERM...(Thursday night through Wednesday) Issued at 217 PM CDT Wed May 2 2018 A progressive pattern sets in for the extended period with periodic chances for showers and thunderstorms. Upper level ridging builds into the western U.S. for Friday and the weekend with a broad and diffuse surface trough sliding down on Sunday morning, which may bring a slight chance for showers and storms. Slightly cooler air filters in behind the boundary for early next week with H850 temps falling to around +7C by Monday morning. The surface high quickly moves into the Ohio River Valley on Monday with an H500 trough sliding through late Tuesday and Wednesday morning and would bring the next chance for showers and storms. Model confidence erodes by midweek given the progressive pattern and growing discrepancies between the synoptic solutions. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Thursday afternoon) Issued at 1240 PM CDT Wed May 2 2018 Strong to severe storms are possible this afternoon and early evening with damaging wind gusts being the main threat. Large hail and a tornado is also possible. Brief IFR/LIFR conditions and gusty winds are possible with the storms. The uncertainty will be tonight as showers and storms may linger through tomorrow morning. Have included a VCTS to handle the uncertainty with chances and coverage for late in the period. && .TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flash Flood Watch through Thursday morning for KSZ020>024-026- 034>040-054>056-058-059. && SHORT TERM...Sanders LONG TERM...Skow AVIATION...Sanders
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Topeka KS 314 PM CDT Wed May 2 2018 KSZ008>012-020>024-026-034>040-054>056-058-059-032015- Republic-Washington-Marshall-Nemaha-Brown-Cloud-Clay-Riley- Pottawatomie-Jackson-Jefferson-Ottawa-Dickinson-Geary-Morris- Wabaunsee-Shawnee-Douglas-Lyon-Osage-Franklin-Coffey-Anderson- 314 PM CDT Wed May 2 2018 This hazardous weather outlook is for east central...north central and northeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and tonight. Another round of severe thunderstorms is expected to move into north central Kansas this afternoon and spread east over northeast and east central Kansas through the early evening. The majority of the severe weather should be done by midnight. Damaging winds, large hail, isolated tornadoes, and very heavy rainfall will be possible. A flash flood watch is in effect for much of the area tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Another round of severe thunderstorms is possible across east central and parts of northeast Kansas Thursday afternoon. The most likely timing would be from the mid afternoon to early evening hours. Storms may be capable of large hail, damaging winds, heavy rainfall and perhaps a few tornadoes. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed tonight. && More detailed information can be accessed at... http://www.weather.gov/top/sitrep Skow
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Topeka KS 318 PM CDT WED MAY 2 2018 KSZ034-022030- Ottawa- 318 PM CDT WED MAY 2 2018 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL OTTAWA COUNTY UNTIL 330 PM CDT... At 318 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Beverly, moving northeast at 20 mph. Nickel size hail and winds of 40 to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Tescott and Ada. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 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. && A tornado watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for north central Kansas. LAT...LON 3919 9793 3922 9790 3903 9781 3897 9793 TIME...MOT...LOC 2018Z 220DEG 17KT 3904 9797 Cohen
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
334 PM CDT WED MAY 2 2018
KSZ034-022045-
Ottawa-
334 PM CDT WED MAY 2 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WESTERN OTTAWA COUNTY UNTIL 345
PM CDT...
At 334 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 4 miles northeast of Lincoln to 4 miles
southwest of Beverly. Movement was northeast at 25 mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Tescott, Culver and Ada.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These storms 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.
&&
A tornado watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for north central
Kansas.
LAT...LON 3927 9793 3930 9790 3899 9772 3896 9778
3896 9793
TIME...MOT...LOC 2034Z 203DEG 22KT 3910 9809 3896 9802
CohenThe Topeka radar (KTWX), 145 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:02 UTC.
11 thunderstorm wind, 6 tornado, 3 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Public report relayed by Sheriff of a brief tornado in open field did no damage.
Strong winds were reported on the gust front. Power was also out in Clay Center.
Measured by a mesonet site.
Dime to nickel size hail was reported.
Estimated wind gust.
Short weak tornado along leading edge of outflow with bowing structure.
Local weather station reported the gust on the north side of Manhattan.
Estimated wind gust.
A small tornado appears to have occurred near and just ahead of the leading outflow of a line of storms. Damage to sheds, trees and outbuildings was noted especially just northeast of Frankfort.
Estimated wind gust.
Estimated wind gust.
A photo of a possible brief tornado was received from radio media. No damage occurred. Time estimated.
Photos provided by KVOE radio shows small dust swirl on ground consistent with funnel cloud reports. No damage occurred.
EM relayed report of tornado on ground just north of I-35 Beto Junction interchange. No damage reported.
Healthy pear tree with 8 to 10 inch diameter limbs broke off.
Estimated wind gust.
Delayed report of tree limbs down. Size unknown.
Measured wind gust.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kansas in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Kansas, 2018Warnings in Kansas, May 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: 743860, 760138, 760143, 760146, 760141, 760147, 743857, 760148, 760149, 743858, 760151, 760152, 743859, 744392, 744393, 760153, 760156, 760159, 760161, 760162.