Flash Flooding and Hail in Kansas, August 13, 2019

Name: Flash Flooding and Hail in Kansas, August 13, 2019
Start: 2019-08-13T15:27
End: 2019-08-13T18:30
Location: Kansas

August 13, 2019 · NWS GLD · 32 events in 10 counties and zones

Thunderstorms produce hail up to lime size, damaging winds, and flash flooding in northwest Kansas.

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: 0
Property damage: $20,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 32

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.

Thunderstorms produce hail up to lime size, damaging winds, and flash flooding in northwest Kansas.

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 Aug 13, 2:26 PM CST, 1 hour 1 minute earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 13, 2:26 PM CST, 1 hour 1 minute before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Goodland KS
226 PM MDT Tue Aug 13 2019

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Wednesday)
Issued at 222 PM MDT Tue Aug 13 2019

Starting off today, SPC upgraded the eastern half of our CWA to
an enhanced risk. As of 1:00 PM storms were starting to develop
along our CWA border with NWS Boulder. Looking at the short term
HRRR, we are seeing consistent runs of supercell development.
Surface dewpoints were in the mid to upper 60s, MLCAPE values up
to 3000 J/kg, deep layer shear around 40kts, with steep mid-level
lapse rates, all this in combination of the dryline's location and
daytime heating will fuel a comfortable severe weather threat.

Prime time of convective development will be from 3 PM MDT to 10
PM MDT. Initially we will see discrete supercells producing large
hail, up to 4 inches, with the threat shifting to winds later in
the evening as storms will grow into clusters and become linear in
nature.

Additionally, as a large portion of the Tri-State area has been
met with several days of rainfall, the bar for potential flash
flooding has been set higher. Went and issued a Flash Flood Watch,
for the entire Tri-State area, as these storms are expecting to
produce a good amount of rain over areas already saturated.
Expecting the counties along the Colorado / Kansas border to be at
the highest risk. Expecting the storms to merge this evening and
move southward dumping 1 to 3 inches on those counties underneath.
Flash Flood Watch is expected to last through midnight MDT.

Highs today will be in the mid 80s, with overnight lows near 60.
There may be some areas of patchy fog, but confidence is low at
this time.

Tomorrow, we will see once again warm surface temperatures, in
the mid to upper 80s, moderate deep-layer shear and instability,
steep lapse rates, prevailing again over our CWA. Our strongest
threats will once again be along the Colorado / Kansas border.
Expecting another round of discrete supercells producing larger
hail and potential tors. Followed again by transitioning to a wind
threat and prevailing through the overnight hours as additional
forcing from a shortwave will aid in sustaining convective
development. Flash flooding will again be a concern for tomorrow.

.LONG TERM...(Wednesday night through Tuesday)
Issued at 222 PM MDT Tue Aug 13 2019

Thursday, we may see a few severe storms. SPC currently has us
under a marginal risk, but that may change greatly depending on
how convection plays out Wednesday along the Kansas / Nebraska
border. Regardless, expecting convective development with peak
afternoon heating and lasting through the evening hours. Guidance
is still quite a bit in disagreement as to what will happen, so
confidence remains low at this time as to extent of impacts to the
Tri-State area.

Friday onward, wide disagreement with model guidance. Went with
the National Blend at this time. Expecting near normal
temperatures with daily thunderstorm chances Friday and Saturday
afternoon. Sunday through Tuesday, very slight chances for
convection and near normal highs and lows through the extended.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Wednesday afternoon)
Issued at 1143 AM MDT Tue Aug 13 2019

VFR conditions are expected to prevail throughout the remainder of
the TAF period at the Goodland and McCook terminals. There will
be showers and storms developing this afternoon, but timing and
confidence on extent and impacts to the terminals is too low to
include at this time. If any of the storms do impact the
terminals, sub-vfr conditions are expected.

&&

.GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KS...Flash Flood Watch until midnight MDT /1 AM CDT/ tonight for
     KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042.

CO...Flash Flood Watch until midnight MDT tonight for COZ090>092.

NE...Flash Flood Watch until midnight MDT /1 AM CDT/ tonight for
     NEZ079>081.

&&

SHORT TERM...EV
LONG TERM...EV
AVIATION...EV

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 13, 12:19 PM CST, 3 hours 8 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1219 PM MDT Tue Aug 13 2019

COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-141830-
Yuma County-Kit Carson County-Cheyenne County-Cheyenne-Rawlins-
Decatur-Norton-Sherman-Thomas-Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-
Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock-Red Willow-
1219 PM MDT Tue Aug 13 2019 /119 PM CDT Tue Aug 13 2019/

This hazardous weather outlook is for extreme southwest Nebraska...
northwest Kansas and east central Colorado.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT...

NWS Goodland has issued a Tornado Watch until 7 PM MDT / 8 PM CDT
for the entire NWS Goodland area.

Additionally, NWS Goodland has issued a Flood Watch until 12 AM MDT /
1 AM MDT.

There are enhanced/slight risks for severe thunderstorms across much
of the Tri-State area this afternoon and evening. Large hail up to
baseball size, winds in excess of 60 mph and localized heavy
rainfall producing sharply reduced visibilities and the potential
for flash flooding will be the primary threats Tuesday from
approximately 3 PM MDT (4 PM CDT) through 10 PM MDT (11 PM CDT). A
tornado or two cannot be ruled out but is not a primary threat with
storms today.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH TUESDAY...

There is a slight risk for severe thunderstorms across almost the
entire Tri-State area Wednesday during the late-afternoon through
the overnight hours. The main hazards will be large hail, damaging
winds, and localized heavy rainfall.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be required.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 13, 3:15 PM CST, 12 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
315 PM MDT TUE AUG 13 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0300 PM     HAIL             STRATTON                39.30N 102.60W
08/13/2019  E1.00 INCH       KIT CARSON         CO   PUBLIC

&&

JRP

Local storm report, Aug 13, 3:18 PM CST, 9 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
318 PM MDT TUE AUG 13 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0317 PM     HAIL             3 NE TRENTON            40.20N 100.96W
08/13/2019  M1.25 INCH       HITCHCOCK          NE   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

JRP

Special weather statement, Aug 13, 3:19 PM CST, 8 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
419 PM CDT Tue Aug 13 2019

KSZ001-132145-
Cheyenne KS-
419 PM CDT Tue Aug 13 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CHEYENNE COUNTY IN NORTHWESTERN
KANSAS UNTIL 445 PM CDT...

At 418 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles southeast of Haigler, or 11 miles north of St. Francis, moving
south at 35 mph.

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

Locations impacted include...
St. Francis, Bird City and Wheeler.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for northeastern
Colorado...and northwestern Kansas.

LAT...LON 3999 10142 3963 10141 3957 10141 3958 10205
      4000 10205
TIME...MOT...LOC 2118Z 353DEG 32KT 3993 10176

024

Special weather statement, Aug 13, 3:21 PM CST, 6 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
421 PM CDT Tue Aug 13 2019

KSZ002-132145-
Rawlins KS-
421 PM CDT Tue Aug 13 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN RAWLINS COUNTY UNTIL
445 PM CDT...

At 421 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Atwood, moving east at 20 mph.

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

Locations impacted include...
Atwood and Ludell.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for northwestern
Kansas.

LAT...LON 3983 10074 3977 10074 3957 10080 3968 10114
      3986 10108
TIME...MOT...LOC 2121Z 284DEG 19KT 3976 10102

024

Special weather statement, Aug 13, 3:25 PM CST, 2 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
325 PM MDT Tue Aug 13 2019

KSZ027-028-132145-
Wallace KS-Logan KS-
325 PM MDT Tue Aug 13 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN WALLACE AND
NORTHWESTERN LOGAN COUNTIES UNTIL 345 PM MDT/445 PM CDT/...

At 324 PM MDT/424 PM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm 5 miles north of Wallace, or 12 miles northeast of
Sharon Springs, moving northeast at 15 mph.

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

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northeastern
Wallace and northwestern Logan Counties.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM MDT/800 PM CDT/ for
northwestern and west central Kansas.

LAT...LON 3897 10171 3914 10165 3914 10143 3909 10131
      3889 10150
TIME...MOT...LOC 2124Z 206DEG 14KT 3900 10157

024

Local storm report, Aug 13, 3:27 PM CST, 0 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
327 PM MDT TUE AUG 13 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0327 PM     HAIL             ATWOOD                  39.81N 101.04W
08/13/2019  E1.00 INCH       RAWLINS            KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

&&

JRP

The radar

The Goodland radar (KGLD), 75 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:24 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

25 thunderstorm wind, 4 flash flood, 3 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Rawlins

When: August 13, 3:27 PM CST
Where: Rawlins County, 0.87 mi NE of Atwood
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 39.810, -101.040

Hail, Decatur

When: August 13, 3:48 PM CST
Where: Decatur County, 2.07 mi N of Traer
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.960, -100.650

Thunderstorm Wind, Decatur

When: August 13, 3:49 PM CST
Where: Decatur County, 2.07 mi N of Traer
Measured: 71 kt (82 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.960, -100.650

A member of the public estimated 82 mph winds. They also reported that some windows were broken by wind-driven hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Decatur

When: August 13, 4:05 PM CST
Where: Decatur County, 2.43 mi N of Oberlin Muni Arpt
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 39.865, -100.534

The local fire department reported estimated winds of 80 mph as well as power lines down about 3 miles north of Oberlin, KS.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rawlins

When: August 13, 4:10 PM CST
Where: Rawlins County, 6.93 mi N of Ludell
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 39.950, -100.960

Thunderstorm Wind, Rawlins

When: August 13, 4:16 PM CST
Where: Rawlins County, 2.96 mi NNW of Atwood Muni Arpt
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 39.870, -101.050

Thunderstorm Wind, Thomas

When: August 13, 4:36 PM CST
Where: Thomas County, Colby Muni Arpt
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 39.430, -101.050

Thunderstorm Wind, Thomas

When: August 13, 4:41 PM CST
Where: Thomas County, Colby Muni Arpt
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 39.430, -101.050

Thunderstorm Wind, Thomas

When: August 13, 4:42 PM CST
Where: Thomas County, Colby Muni Arpt
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 39.430, -101.050

Thunderstorm Wind, Thomas

When: August 13, 4:45 PM CST
Where: Thomas County, 0.37 mi ENE of Rexford
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.471, -100.743

Approximately 60 mph winds were estimated by a trained spotter.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wallace

When: August 13, 3:45 PM MST
Where: Wallace County, 4.07 mi SSE of Weskan
Measured: 66 kt (76 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 38.820, -101.930

Thunderstorm Wind, Wallace

When: August 13, 3:50 PM MST
Where: Wallace County, 0.25 mi NE of Weskan
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.872, -101.966

A trained spotter estimated 60 mph winds about 1 mile NNW of Weskan, KS. They also reported pea size hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Thomas

When: August 13, 4:52 PM CST
Where: Thomas County, Colby
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.400, -101.050

All of Colby was reportedly without power due to thunderstorm wind damage and power lines were down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wallace

When: August 13, 3:52 PM MST
Where: Wallace County, 1.75 mi NW of Sharon Spgs
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.900, -101.750

A trained spotter estimated 60 mph winds in Sharon Springs and also reported pea size hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Thomas

When: August 13, 4:55 PM CST
Where: Thomas County, 0.33 mi SW of Colby
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.397, -101.055

A member of the public estimated 60 mph wind gusts due to a thunderstorm in Colby.

Thunderstorm Wind, Thomas

When: August 13, 4:57 PM CST
Where: Thomas County, 0.32 mi SW of Colby
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.397, -101.055

Thunderstorm Wind, Sheridan

When: August 13, 4:58 PM CST
Where: Sheridan County, 0.69 mi N of Hoxie
Measured: 67 kt (77 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.360, -100.430

Thunderstorm Wind, Norton

When: August 13, 5:01 PM CST
Where: Norton County, 0.87 mi NE of New Almelo
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 39.610, -100.110

Flash Flood, Thomas

When: August 13, 5:15 PM CST
Where: Thomas County, 0.31 mi SW of Colby to 0.32 mi SSE of Colby
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.397, -101.055

A member of the public reported that 4th Street in downtown Colby was flooded. They also submitted pictures showing street flooding in Colby.

Thunderstorm Wind, Logan

When: August 13, 5:25 PM CST
Where: Logan County, Oakley
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.130, -100.850

A member of the public estimated 70 mph wind gusts in Oakley.

Thunderstorm Wind, Logan

When: August 13, 5:26 PM CST
Where: Logan County, 0.54 mi W of Oakley
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.130, -100.860

Local emergency management estimated 60 mph winds in Oakley. They also reported that some 12 inch tree branches had been blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gove

When: August 13, 5:30 PM CST
Where: Gove County, 14.01 mi SE of Gove
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 38.790, -100.320

Thunderstorm Wind, Graham

When: August 13, 5:31 PM CST
Where: Graham County, (Hlc)hill City Muni
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 39.380, -99.830

Thunderstorm Wind, Graham

When: August 13, 5:34 PM CST
Where: Graham County, 0.87 mi SE of Hill City
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 39.360, -99.840

Multiple larges trees were reported down by local law enforcement.

Thunderstorm Wind, Graham

When: August 13, 5:40 PM CST
Where: Graham County, (Hlc)hill City Muni
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 39.380, -99.830

Thunderstorm Wind, Graham

When: August 13, 5:41 PM CST
Where: Graham County, (Hlc)hill City Muni
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 39.380, -99.830

Thunderstorm Wind, Graham

When: August 13, 5:42 PM CST
Where: Graham County, (Hlc)hill City Muni
Measured: 62 kt (71 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 39.380, -99.830

Hail, Gove

When: August 13, 5:51 PM CST
Where: Gove County, 11.03 mi SSE of Gove
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.800, -100.410

A trained spotter reported pea to golf ball size hail.

Flash Flood, Decatur

When: August 13, 5:55 PM CST
Where: Decatur County, 0.68 mi WNW of Jennings to 0.66 mi NNW of Jennings
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 39.683, -100.292

Local law enforcement reported street flooding just northeast of Jennings, KS. They also reported that this flooding could have contributed to a car accident at this location.

Flash Flood, Graham

When: August 13, 6:03 PM CST
Where: Graham County, 0.23 mi SSE of Hill City to 0.51 mi ESE of Hill City
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 39.367, -99.848

Local law enforcement reported significant street flooding in downtown Hill City with several roads impassable due to flash flooding from heavy rains.

Flash Flood, Logan

When: August 13, 6:07 PM CST
Where: Logan County, 0.81 mi WNW of Oakley to 1 mi NE of Oakley
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.135, -100.864

Thunderstorm Wind, Wichita

When: August 13, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Wichita County, 0.54 mi W of Leoti
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.480, -101.360

Approximately 60 mph winds were estimated by local law enforcement in Leoti, KS.

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.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kansas in 2019 Every state in 2019 This day in weather history Warnings in Kansas, August 2019

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: 853275, 853276, 853282, 868198, 853283, 853284, 853285, 853286, 853287, 853288, 853289, 853291, 853279, 853293, 868199, 868200, 853290, 853292, 853271, 853294, 853280, 853298, 853296, 853281, 868204, 868205, 853297, 853278, 853272, 853273, 853274, 853299.