Very few locations were spared from the severe storms that moved across the area at various times the 17th and 18th. Winds up to 70 mph and hail to golf ball size were noted along with locations of very heavy rain.
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 ICT wrote it up.
Very few locations were spared from the severe storms that moved across the area at various times the 17th and 18th. Winds up to 70 mph and hail to golf ball size were noted along with locations of very heavy rain.
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 Aug 16, 10:53 PM CST, 1 hour 43 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 1153 PM CDT Fri Aug 16 2019 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Monday night) Issued at 259 PM CDT Fri Aug 16 2019 Surface outflow boundary pushed into northern Oklahoma this morning with a mesoscale induced pressure perturbation resulting in brisk southerly flow early this afternoon over south central Kansas. Diurnal heating and low level moisture return along the western portion of the weakening/diffuse boundary over north central Oklahoma into south central Kansas could be a brief focus for isolated severe convection early this evening, though still quite a bit of inhibition to overcome north of the state line. Otherwise, the focus overnight is expected to along/north of the main synoptic front oriented W-E across the mid-portion of Kansas. Moist, unstable upslope flow across the high Plains is expected to foster a complex of storms which should roll eastward across portions of central and eastern Kansas overnight. Elevated moisture transport will ramp up on the nocturnal low level jet across central Kansas along/north of the I-70 corridor where shear/instability combo will support strong to severe storms posing mainly a strong/damaging wind risk. Surface boundary will remain across the area over the weekend, augmented by convection. Gradual warming aloft and weaker forcing will result in somewhat more conditional chances for convection. However, with ample diurnal instability and modest shear will still keep a risk for a few severe storms in the forecast. Heat indices will creep up over the next few days, likely flirting with the 105 degree advisory criteria by Sunday and Monday. Darmofal .LONG TERM...(Tuesday through Friday) Issued at 259 PM CDT Fri Aug 16 2019 Upper ridge will amplify over the Rockies through the middle of next week. It is questionable how far south a weak frontal boundary will be able to drop south across Kansas by Tuesday night or Wednesday. A bit stronger flow off the Pacific looks to break down the western ridge later in the week. Rather hot still on Tuesday with subtle cooling/less hot temperatures for Wednesday and Thursday with only slight/conditional precip chances. KED && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Saturday night) Issued at 1149 PM CDT Fri Aug 16 2019 Storms have rapidly developed across much of central & northern Kansas late this evening. The most likely TAF sites to be impacted are KRSL, KGBD and KSLN through 09-10Z where some IFR or transient LIFR will be possible as well as strong or damaging winds and large hail with the strongest activity. After a lull through the morning/early afternoon hours storms may redevelop on Sat aftn- evebubg but confidence in the details remains fairly low at this time. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Wichita-KICT 74 95 73 96 / 30 20 20 10 Hutchinson 71 94 72 95 / 40 20 20 0 Newton 72 93 73 94 / 40 20 20 10 ElDorado 73 93 73 94 / 30 30 20 20 Winfield-KWLD 76 95 75 96 / 20 20 20 10 Russell 66 92 68 93 / 60 20 10 0 Great Bend 68 93 69 94 / 50 20 10 0 Salina 69 93 72 94 / 60 20 20 10 McPherson 70 93 71 94 / 50 20 20 10 Coffeyville 75 93 76 94 / 20 20 20 20 Chanute 73 92 74 93 / 40 30 30 30 Iola 72 92 73 93 / 40 30 30 30 Parsons-KPPF 74 92 75 93 / 30 20 20 20 && .ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...KED LONG TERM...KED AVIATION...MWM
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wichita KS 1045 PM CDT Fri Aug 16 2019 KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-172100- 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- 1045 PM CDT Fri Aug 16 2019 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of Central Kansas, South Central Kansas and Southeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...Tonight Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected to impact portions of central Kansas after midnight. The main threats will be damaging straight-line winds to 70 mph and large hail up to golf-ball size. Locally heavy rainfall could also lead to minor lowland flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Chances for thunderstorms will continue through the weekend with the best chances along and east of a Salina to Wichita to Arkansas City line. Strong to severe storms will be possible, mainly across the Flint Hills into southeast Kansas. Heat indices will hover around 100 degrees on Saturday afternoon across much of south central and southeast Kansas. Heat indices will range from 100 to 105 degrees across south central and southeast Kansas on Sunday afternoon and across the entire area on Monday and Tuesday afternoons. A heat advisory will likely be needed for portions of the area in the Sunday through Tuesday time frame. Slight chances for thunderstorms will exist across portions of the area Tuesday night through Friday. While a few strong storms and some with heavy rainfall will be possible, the risk for organized severe weather appears low at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is a remote possibility early this evening across south central Kansas and overnight across central Kansas. && For a graphical version of this information, see our webpage at: http://weather.gov/wichita/hwo/
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
1151 PM CDT Fri Aug 16 2019
KSZ033-049-170530-
Lincoln KS-Saline KS-
1151 PM CDT Fri Aug 16 2019
The National Weather Service in Wichita has issued a
* Significant Weather Advisory for...
Lincoln County in central Kansas...
Saline County in central Kansas...
* Until 1230 AM CDT.
* At 1149 PM CDT...National Weather Service meteorologists were
tracking a strong thunderstorm 6 miles south of Hunter, or 13 miles
northwest of Lincoln...moving east at 15 mph.
* Hail up to the size of nickels...and wind gusts up to 50 mph will
be possible with this storm.
* Locations impacted include...
Salina, Lincoln, Sylvan Grove, Brookville, Beverly, New Cambria,
Barnard, Glendale, Ash Grove, Westfall, Salina Airport and Kipp.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 700 AM CDT for
central Kansas.
LAT...LON 3922 9793 3896 9793 3896 9738 3877 9738
3872 9792 3888 9793 3887 9848 3921 9847
TIME...MOT...LOC 0451Z 254DEG 15KT 3915 9835
METZGERSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Wichita KS 1153 PM CDT Fri Aug 16 2019 KSZ071-072-095-096-170545- Wilson KS-Woodson KS-Neosho KS-Allen KS- 1153 PM CDT Fri Aug 16 2019 The National Weather Service in Wichita has issued a * Significant Weather Advisory for... Northeastern Wilson County in southeastern Kansas... Woodson County in southeastern Kansas... Northern Neosho County in southeastern Kansas... Allen County in southeastern Kansas... * Until 1245 AM CDT. * At 1151 PM CDT...National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm over Neosho Falls, or 8 miles northwest of Iola...moving east at 20 mph. * Hail up to the size of dimes...and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. * Locations impacted include... Chanute, Iola, Humboldt, Yates Center, La Harpe, Gas, Moran, Buffalo, Neosho Falls, Savonburg, Elsmore, Stark, Mildred, Bassett, Petrolia, Rose, Chanute Airport, Iola Airport and Piqua. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. && LAT...LON 3762 9509 3766 9584 3804 9586 3804 9508 TIME...MOT...LOC 0453Z 277DEG 19KT 3800 9552 METZGER
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Wichita KS 1253 AM CDT Sat Aug 17 2019 KSZ032-170630- Russell KS- 1253 AM CDT Sat Aug 17 2019 The National Weather Service in Wichita has issued a * Significant Weather Advisory for... Central Russell County in central Kansas... * Until 130 AM CDT. * At 1251 AM CDT...National Weather Service Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with locally heavy rainfall near Russell...moving east at 20 mph. hail up to the size of dimes...and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. * Locations impacted include... Russell, Lucas, Gorham, Dorrance, Bunker Hill, Wilson State Park, Wilson Lake and Russell Airport. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. These storms may produce ponding of water on roadways. Listen for later statements or possible flood warnings...should the risk for minor low-land flooding become more imminent. && A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 700 AM CDT for central Kansas. LAT...LON 3886 9902 3901 9903 3911 9850 3881 9850 TIME...MOT...LOC 0553Z 265DEG 18KT 3893 9881 MCGUIRE
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Wichita KS 103 AM CDT Sat Aug 17 2019 KSZ082-083-091-092-170630- Harper KS-Sumner KS-Sedgwick KS-Kingman KS- 103 AM CDT Sat Aug 17 2019 The National Weather Service in Wichita has issued a * Significant Weather Advisory for... Harper County in south central Kansas... Sumner County in south central Kansas... Southern Sedgwick County in south central Kansas... Southeastern Kingman County in south central Kansas... * Until 130 AM CDT. * At 100 AM CDT...National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking strong winds from a collapsing thunderstorm. wind gusts up to 55 mph will be possible and the temperature may briefly rise into the upper 80s or low 90s. * Locations impacted include... Wellington, Mulvane, Clearwater, Anthony, Belle Plaine, Harper, Conway Springs, Caldwell, Oxford, Argonia, Norwich, South Haven, Geuda Springs, Viola, Mayfield, Milan, Spivey, Bluff City, Danville and Freeport. LAT...LON 3702 9821 3752 9822 3752 9716 3701 9715 TIME...MOT...LOC 0602Z 221DEG 13KT 3738 9735 MCGUIRE
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
118 AM CDT SAT AUG 17 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0115 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 4 N WELLINGTON 37.32N 97.39W
08/17/2019 M61 MPH SUMNER KS AWOS
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
133 AM CDT SAT AUG 17 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0130 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 4 N WELLINGTON 37.33N 97.39W
08/17/2019 M62 MPH SUMNER KS AWOS
&&The Dodge City radar (KDDC), 159 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 06:36 UTC.
19 thunderstorm wind, 7 heavy rain, 2 hail, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
The wind was recorded at the ASOS station KRSL Russell Municipal airport.
Another wind speed recorded at KRSL Russell Municipal airport.
This was a 24 hour total.
This was a 24 hour total.
This was a 24 hour total.
This was a 24 hour total.
This was a 24 hour total.
This was a 24 hour total.
Widespread wind damage was reported across town. Numerous trees, power poles, and power lines were downed. Some of the branches fell on cars and fences.
This was a 24 hour total.
Official wind gust recorded at Russell Municipal Airport.
Winds were estimated to be between 55 and 60 mph.
Numerous tree limbs were blown down across town.
This report was via the Kansas Mesonet.
KRSL officially measured the 55 knot wind gust.
This was relayed via a KDOT mesonet station.
Two trains derailed near Walton. Ninety rail cars were derailed on one train and fifty cars were derailed on the other. Many of the cars were double stacked. All cars were empty.
Official measurement from the Newton airport.
Reported via trained spotter.
Winds of 70 mph were reported at El Dorado Lake.
Large trees were blown down across all of El Dorado Lake.
Numerous trees were reported as being down in Lindsborg.
Relayed via the public.
Relayed via a trained spotter.
The hail was reported at El Dorado Lake.
An 8 inch diameter tree limb fell down onto a car.
A fence was blown over at 13th and Andover road.
Water was reported over numerous roads with many being impassable.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kansas in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Kansas, August 2019
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: 852063, 852065, 852037, 852038, 852044, 852046, 852047, 852048, 852051, 852049, 852066, 852067, 852052, 852068, 852070, 852071, 852054, 852033, 852072, 852073, 852074, 852056, 852057, 852075, 852076, 852035, 852060, 852061, 852032.