An intense upper level system surged northeast across Kansas that brought an equally intense surface cyclone across the state in the afternoon. There was a moisture-rich environment entrenched across Kansas.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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.
An intense upper level system surged northeast across Kansas that brought an equally intense surface cyclone across the state in the afternoon. There was a moisture-rich environment entrenched across Kansas. This combined with the powerful cyclone crossing the state, numerous thunderstorms, several of which were severe, produced torrential rains that caused major flooding and flash flooding from the evening hours the 20th until late in the afternoon on the 22nd.
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 May 20, 3:52 PM CST, 1 hour 10 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 452 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019 .MESOSCALE DISCUSSION... Issued at 445 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019 Mesoscale update through 02z this evening As of 21z, a warm front extended from the eastern Texas Panhandle to near a line from Custer City, Oklahoma to Stillwater...to Pryor. The front has been exhibiting a slight northward creep over the past couple of hours, especially in north-central and northeastern Oklahoma. 500 mb height falls will spread eastward over Kansas/Oklahoma into this evening, which may tend to draw this warm front to near the Kansas/Oklahoma border in far southeast Kansas. Storm modes of clusters to semi-discrete supercells should continue along and just north of this front through at least 02z. Large hail to golfball size and damaging winds will be the primary storm threats in our southern Kansas counties through 02z. If the front creeps north into far southeast KS, a tornado will also be possible for those counties close to the Oklahoma border in the far southeast. The 850 mb low-level jet will increase to 50 knots into this evening, with very strong moisture transport occurring beneath diffluent flow aloft. With corfidi vectors showing a northeastward propagation of MCS clusters, the flash flooding threat will increase this evening/overnight in south-central/southeast Kansas. && .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 445 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019 There are two main troughs noticed over the CONUS. One trough is centered over Ontario/Quebec with the main trough of interest near the Four Corners into the Great Basin. Showers and thunderstorms have persisted for much of the day across south central and southeast Kansas into Oklahoma. Flooding has begun in south central and southeast Kansas. Recent reports suggest flash flooding is occurring in both locations with the amount of rainfall that has fell over already wet soils. This threat will only increase with additional rainfall. Severe weather is occurring along the intersection of a warm front and dryline which is positioned across Oklahoma. The dryline stretches through the Texas Panhandle. Severe storms and tornadoes have already developed and are expected for the Texas Panhandle into Oklahoma. There is a high risk for the mentioned location. It is imperative if you have family in that area to make sure that they heed any warnings. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Thursday night) Issued at 445 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019 Highlights: 1) Flooding/Flash Flooding tonight-Tuesday 2) Possible strong to severe storms this evening/tonight 3) Gusty winds on Tuesday The real concerns for this part of the forecast are this evening into Tuesday as the area continues to be inundated with thunderstorms. A negatively titled trough is positioned from western Canada to the Great Basin to the Four Corners. This trough will push its way to the east and northeast tonight. Moisture advection continues to pool into the southern and central plains. An increase in this moisture advection will occur this evening into tonight and persist into early Tuesday. Thunderstorms with heavy rain are expected to continue into the first half of Tuesday. Currently an additional three to six inches is forecast to fall in south central and southeast Kansas. Convective activity suggests that locally higher amounts are likely, and these amounts are simply an approximate value. The Weather Prediction Center has adjusted their outlook to bring their high risk of excessive rainfall into southeast Kansas and along the border with much of the rest of the eastern half of Kansas staying in a moderate risk. Please see the Hydrology section for additional information. The Mesoscale Discussion above describes the potential for severe weather this evening. If the warm front moves further to the north, this could pose a severe threat to the southern portions of Kansas with the possibility of golf ball sized hail and winds up to 65 mph. Severe thunderstorms very well could move into south central and southeast Kansas with the activity in Oklahoma. Therefore it is important to pay attention to this threat as well. As the trough keeps progressing northeast, it will deepen on Tuesday as it moves into the Plains. In addition to the flooding threat, a tightened gradient could lead to stronger winds with the possibility of approaching Wind Advisory criteria in the afternoon. BUFKIT soundings show momentum transfer up to 50kts on multiple models. Current forecasted winds are flirting with advisory criteria. If stronger winds and respective gusts do occur, it cannot be ruled out to have some tree damage given the soft soils with as much rain is anticipated between now and then. Another thing to consider is the possibility for a cold core tornado or even severe storms with the tightening system, strong forcing and 0-6km bulk shear of 60-85kts during the afternoon hours. While the multiple rounds of thunderstorms will definitely impact the environment, it is at least worth a mention at this time. The main concern for Tuesday remains to be the flooding threat which will continue. A secondary trough is quick on its heels and will stay over the Great Basin. There is a window of dry weather on Tuesday evening through Wednesday afternoon/evening when another wave moves across. Chances of showers and thunderstorms return with continued river flooding and potentially county areal flood warnings. This would definitely not help those situations. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible, but the bulk of any of that activity will stay off to the west and north. .LONG TERM...(Friday through Monday) Issued at 445 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019 Words for this part of the forecast: wet and humid Highlights: 1) Additional chances of showers and thunderstorms with possible severe storms on Thursday 2) Continued flooding The trough over the Great Basin will move from the Front Range to the Northern Plains on Thursday. There is a return of possibly strong to severe thunderstorms on Thursday. A portion of this wave moves to the Northern Plains on Friday with the GFS showing a more wrapped up system while the ECMWF does not indicate the same. This can be dived into in the coming days as the short term was certainly a focus at this time. Chances of showers and thunderstorms are in for essentially the entirety of the forecast from Wednesday onward. Another wave is forecast to move across on Saturday with another trough on Monday/Tuesday. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms only aggravate the flooding. A water filled and muddy mess will undoubtedly occur into next week. It may be worth it to invest in some rain boots if you haven't already. Temperatures around 80 degrees combined with the moisture will keep it quite steamy and humid similar to if you were living along the Gulf Coast. Adjustments to the chances for precipitation field were made during this time frame and are anticipated in the coming days as well. Please stay tuned for updates on this part of the forecast which will get better attention in the coming days. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Tuesday afternoon) Issued at 1225 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019 Low clouds will expand across central Kansas this afternoon along with numerous showers/storms. Meanwhile MVFR cigs will begin to develop over south central KS and expand into southeast Kansas by tonight. IFR/LIFR cigs will affect much of central/south central KS for late this afternoon into tonight north of warm front with widespread showers/storms. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 445 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019 Highlights: Flash Flood Watch continues - Be ready for Flash Flood Warnings River and county flood warnings have been issued Rounds of thunderstorms have dropped one to two inches of rainfall already which will only persist into Tuesday. An additional three to six inches is possible through Tuesday which will certainly result in flooding. A range of flooding (areal, flash and river) is expected and occurring. Flash flooding has already been reported and will remain likely this evening especially in metro locations. DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED ROADWAYS. You do not know how deep the water is over that roadway, and the road may have washed away. It is vital to heed any road closures. Twelve inches of flowing water over a roadway can lead to vehicles floating away. Remember you are not just putting yourself and your passengers at risk but also the first responders who need to rescue you. Throughout this forecast, showers and thunderstorms are anticipated which will only continue the flooding that develops tonight through Tuesday. Rivers are anticipated to stay in flood through much of the forecast at least at this juncture given the potential for all of this additional water. Please make sure to check the latest county, river and of course flash flood warnings for additional information. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Wichita-KICT 55 75 54 79 / 100 80 10 10 Hutchinson 53 73 50 78 / 100 80 20 10 Newton 56 73 52 78 / 100 80 10 10 ElDorado 55 74 55 79 / 100 90 10 20 Winfield-KWLD 62 76 57 80 / 100 80 10 20 Russell 47 72 43 75 / 90 80 20 0 Great Bend 51 73 44 77 / 90 70 20 0 Salina 51 73 47 77 / 100 80 20 10 McPherson 53 73 50 77 / 100 80 20 10 Coffeyville 66 75 60 84 / 100 90 10 20 Chanute 62 75 59 82 / 90 90 10 20 Iola 61 74 58 81 / 90 90 10 20 Parsons-KPPF 64 75 59 83 / 100 90 10 20 && .ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flash Flood Watch through Tuesday afternoon for KSZ032-033- 047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100. && MESOSCALE...JMC SYNOPSIS...VJP SHORT TERM...VJP LONG TERM...VJP AVIATION...CDJ HYDROLOGY...VJP
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wichita KS 541 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019 KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-212245- 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- 541 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of Central Kansas, South Central Kansas and Southeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...Tonight Widespread heavy rainfall with an additional two to five inches are possible across much of the region through tonight with locally higher amounts around six inches possible. The area greatest at risk for highest rainfall amounts will affect mainly south central and southeast Kansas. The heavy rainfall will cause significant rises on area rivers and creeks with many likely to exceed flood stage. The heavy rainfall will also lead to flash flooding of some rural and urban areas due to saturated ground soils. Please see latest flash flood watch and flood warnings for more details. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible through tonight with the greatest risk across south-central and southeast Kansas near the Oklahoma border. The main risks will be half dollar sized hail and wind gusts to 60 mph. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Thunderstorms will continue in all areas into mid day Tuesday. While they may be strong or severe, the greatest threats are heavy rains which would aggravate the flooding situation. Occasional thunderstorms, several of which may be strong to severe, will occur in all areas from Wednesday night thru next Sunday. More heavy rains are possible that may cause further flooding. Please stay tuned for additional details on the severe storm potential from Wednesday onward. Significant to very significant flooding will be possible for many rivers through the week, so follow river flood warnings and statements for additional information. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed across southern Kansas for tonight. && For a graphical version of this information, see our webpage at: http://weather.gov/wichita/hwo/
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Wichita KS 500 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019 KSZ071-072-202230- Woodson KS-Allen KS- 500 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019 The National Weather Service in Wichita has issued a * Significant Weather Advisory for... Northeastern Woodson County in southeastern Kansas... Northwestern Allen County in southeastern Kansas... * Until 530 PM CDT. * At 458 PM CDT...National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm 6 miles southwest of Neosho Falls, or 8 miles east of Yates Center...moving northeast at 45 mph. Pea size hail and winds up to 50 mph are possible with this storm. * Locations impacted include... Yates Center, Neosho Falls and Piqua. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Be prepared to take shelter in the event the storms intensify and become severe...or a warning is issued by the National Weather Service. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. && LAT...LON 3781 9558 3788 9574 3804 9564 3804 9535 TIME...MOT...LOC 2200Z 213DEG 40KT 3792 9561 KLEINSASSER
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
502 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019
KSZ070-202230-
Greenwood KS-
502 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019
The National Weather Service in Wichita has issued a
* Significant Weather Advisory for...
Southwest Greenwood County in southeastern Kansas...
* Until 530 PM CDT.
* At 500 PM CDT...National Weather Service meteorologists were
tracking a strong thunderstorm 11 miles west of Severy, or 14 miles
southwest of Eureka...moving northeast at 50 mph.
Pea size hail and winds up to 50 mph are possible with this storm.
* Locations impacted include...
Eureka, Eureka City Lake, Piedmont and Eureka Airport.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Be prepared to take shelter in the event the storms intensify and
become severe...or a warning is issued by the National Weather
Service.
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 9652 3762 9653 3798 9650 3797 9602
3761 9636
TIME...MOT...LOC 2201Z 207DEG 42KT 3765 9644
KLEINSASSERPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
516 PM CDT MON MAY 20 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0515 PM HEAVY RAIN 3 ESE LUCAS 39.04N 98.49W
05/20/2019 M3.60 INCH LINCOLN KS CO-OP OBSERVER
HEAVY RAIN SINCE THIS MORNING
&&
MWMPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
517 PM CDT MON MAY 20 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0515 PM HEAVY RAIN 6 SSW WALDO 39.05N 98.84W
05/20/2019 M1.57 INCH RUSSELL KS TRAINED SPOTTER
RAIN SINCE THIS MORNING
&&
MWMSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Wichita KS 534 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019 KSZ093-094-098-202300- Cowley KS-Chautauqua KS-Elk KS- 534 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019 The National Weather Service in Wichita has issued a * Significant Weather Advisory for... Southeastern Cowley County in south central Kansas... Western Chautauqua County in southeastern Kansas... Southwestern Elk County in southeastern Kansas... * Until 600 PM CDT. * At 533 PM CDT...National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 7 miles northeast of Dexter to 5 miles northeast of Grainola...and moving northeast at 45 mph. wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these storms. * Locations impacted include... Cedar Vale, Moline, Grenola and Cambridge. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Be prepared to take shelter in the event the storms intensify and become severe...or a warning is issued by the National Weather Service. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. && LAT...LON 3732 9670 3750 9628 3700 9631 3700 9668 TIME...MOT...LOC 2234Z 222DEG 38KT 3723 9659 3700 9661 KLEINSASSER
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
600 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019
KSZ093-098-202330-
Cowley KS-Chautauqua KS-
600 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019
The National Weather Service in Wichita has issued a
* Significant Weather Advisory for...
Southeastern Cowley County in south central Kansas...
Chautauqua County in southeastern Kansas...
* Until 630 PM CDT.
* At 559 PM CDT...National Weather Service meteorologists were
tracking a strong thunderstorm 6 miles southeast of Cedar Vale...
moving northeast at 45 mph.
hail up to the size of dimes...and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be
possible with this storm.
* Locations impacted include...
Sedan, Cedar Vale, Chautauqua and Elgin.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Be prepared to take shelter in the event the storms intensify and
become severe...or a warning is issued by the National Weather
Service.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for southeastern
Kansas.
LAT...LON 3730 9646 3721 9596 3721 9597 3700 9620
3700 9664
TIME...MOT...LOC 2300Z 223DEG 40KT 3702 9644
KLEINSASSERThe Wichita radar (KICT), 21 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:59 UTC.
12 flood, 11 flash flood, 6 hail, 1 strong wind, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Portions of Trig street has been washed out.
Portions of Greenwich road were flooded and under water.
Numerous roads along US 160 are flooded and closed.
Six to 12 inches of water was reported over Main Street.
Water was flowing over Highway 99.
Water was reported flowing over Highway 59 and was 8 inches deep for about one eighth of a mile.
Water was reported flowing over Highway 166 in town.
The strong winds combined with saturated grounds to uproot a couple trees and downed limbs 8 miles east of Hutchinson.
US Highway 160 was closed due to high water from Moline to the Montgomery County Line. Much of this segment of US-160 was flooded about 11 inches deep.
There was a water rescue on CR 5100 just north of Highway US-160. Drum Creek was reported out of it's banks.
Montgomery County Sheriff reported U.S. Highway 160 was closed from Elk City to Independence.
A water rescue occurred in the 900-1000 block of North Park Blvd.
Sunflower Rd. was reported closed just north of Coffeyville.
South 10th St. was flooded at the Grant Intersection.
Local roads were flooded, but no details were provided.
Numerous county & township roads were closed throughout the county.
Flooding along the Arkansas River prompted a rescue 3 miles northwest of Arkansas City.
A water rescue occurred at 170th & Falcon Rd.
The report was received via social media.
The spotter also measured a 43-knot gust.
Among the tree damage was a 10-inch diameter limb that was downed across a road.
Hail covered the ground 1 mile south of the I-70/I-135 Interchange.
KWCH Channel 12 reported that significant flooding forced the Hutchinson Zoo to close for the first time in more than a decade. KWCH did not indicate the year the previous closing had occurred.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that the swollen Fall River had forced the closure of Highway 400 between Fredonia & Neodesha.
The levee on the west side of Highway 59 was breached in 4 locations.
The levee was breached on the west side of the Neosho River just west of Shaw Road and 160th with water covering the road.
Water flowed swiftly across Decatur Rd. between 1 and 1.33 miles north of Coyville.
A report was received, via Twitter, that Saline County ordered power to be shut down in the southwest corner of New Cambria due to flooding.
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, May 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: 825365, 825366, 825367, 825368, 825370, 825372, 825373, 825519, 820695, 820699, 820741, 820704, 820763, 820769, 820918, 820921, 820927, 820932, 820997, 820998, 820999, 821002, 821007, 821004, 821006, 820952, 820974, 820980, 820983, 820705, 820995.