Hail, Johnson
- When
- March 27, 12:28 AM CST to 12:31 AM CST
- Where
- Johnson County, 2.26 mi ESE of Bonita
- Measured
- 1.75 in hail
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 38.811, -94.780
Golf ball sized hail reported at 175th Street and Mur-Len.
Hail in Kansas, March 27, 2020
In the late evening hours thunderstorms formed and persisted overnight, bringing hail to the area. The largest stones were between quarter an golf ball sized.
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
The toll
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 1
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 EAX wrote it up.
In the late evening hours thunderstorms formed and persisted overnight, bringing hail to the area. The largest stones were between quarter an golf ball sized.
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 Kansas City, MO wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 26, 11:02 PM CST, 1 hour 26 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Mar 26, 11:02 PM CST, 1 hour 26 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO 1202 AM CDT Fri Mar 27 2020 .Discussion... Issued at 227 PM CDT THU MAR 26 2020 The forecast focus is for strong to severe thunderstorms tonight through Friday morning. And another round of strong to severe thunderstorms Friday evening through Saturday morning. Then gusty winds on Saturday. Key Messages... 1. Strong to severe thunderstorms expected from 10 PM through tomorrow morning hail up to the size of half dollars (1.5") will be main threat mainly along and south of the Missouri River. Localized heavy rain may lead to isolated flash flooding. 2. Another round of strong to severe thunderstorms expected from Friday evening through Saturday morning large hail, damaging winds, and an isolated tornado are possible mainly across eastern KS/ western MO including the Metro area. Localized heavy rain may lead to isolated flash flooding. 3. Strong winds behind cold front on Saturday. Discussion... At the surface a quasi-stationary frontal system is draped across southern Kansas into Missouri near the Missouri River. The upper levels feature a low over the SW US and broad ridging across the Midwest with southwesterly flow over the Plains. Satellite showing clouds north of Missouri River with clearing to the south along the frontal boundary. Tonight a LLJ will develop and nose into southern KS over-riding the frontal boundary. This will allow elevated convection to develop which will be capable of producing large hail. As, the overnight progresses the LLJ will shift east nosing into the local area near midnight. Steep mid level lapse rates and modest instability between 500-1000 J/Kg MUCAPE across the southern CWA will allow the chance for a few severe storms capable of large hail possible along and south of the Missouri River. Storms will weaken but will continue through Friday morning as the LLJ weakens. Friday it will be mostly dry as the warm front lifts to the north in response to upper level low pushing towards Plains, however a few showers are possible through the afternoon hours mainly across northern Missouri. Friday evening and Saturday morning another round of strong to severe storms with large hail, damaging winds, and an isolated tornado possible mainly across eastern Kansas and western Missouri including the Metro area. LLJ will crank up again intersecting the warm front in northern Missouri while the upper level trough to west will create a surface low across northern Kansas with a couple of storms forming near dryline in Kansas as it pushes east Friday evening and Saturday morning. MUCAPE will approach 1500-2000 J/kg and effective shear of 40 to 50 knots. Storms that form in warm sector will likely be near surface based and discrete supercells. The storms farther north near warm front will be elevated and more numerous in coverage. Saturday morning dryline will push east and storms will move out of the area. Winds will be strong from southwest eventually turning west to northwest, wind advisories are possible on Saturday. Sunday and Monday will be dry with temperatures above normal. Next chance of precipitation possible Monday evening as the next system approaches. && .Aviation...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Friday Night) Issued at 1202 AM CDT THU MAR 26 2020 A line of storms has developed along the I-70 corridor, impacting or about to impact the KC terminals. This line of storms will move east along I-70, eventually moving out of the area around 09Z-10Z. MVFR/IFR ceilings will start to develop north of the MO River within the next couple of hours, and will eventually move south behind the storms. The entire area is expected to under IFR ceilings around dawn, with some lower visibilities. Patchy drizzle is possible during the morning hours as well. Conditions will gradually improve up to about HWY 36 during the day tomorrow as the surface low and warm front lift north. Storm chances will start to increase at the tail end of the TAF period as the main low pressure system moves through the area. && .EAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KS...NONE. MO...NONE. && Discussion...Christensen Aviation...Atkins
Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 26, 3:48 AM CST, 20 hours 40 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO 448 AM CDT Thu Mar 26 2020 KSZ025-057-060-102>105-MOZ001>008-011>017-020>025-028>033-037>040- 043>046-053-054-271000- Atchison KS-Miami-Linn KS-Doniphan-Leavenworth-Wyandotte-Johnson KS- Atchison MO-Nodaway-Worth-Gentry-Harrison-Mercer-Putnam-Schuyler- Holt-Andrew-De Kalb-Daviess-Grundy-Sullivan-Adair-Buchanan-Clinton- Caldwell-Livingston-Linn MO-Macon-Platte-Clay-Ray-Carroll-Chariton- Randolph-Jackson-Lafayette-Saline-Howard-Cass-Johnson MO-Pettis- Cooper-Bates-Henry- 448 AM CDT Thu Mar 26 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for northwest...north central and west central Missouri...as well as extreme eastern Kansas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Severe storms are possible tonight mainly along and south of Highway 50. More detailed information can be accessed at... https://www.weather.gov/eax/hwo .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Another round of severe storms is possible Friday evening in portions of southeast Kansas and west central Missouri. More detailed information can be accessed at... https://www.weather.gov/eax/hwo
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Mar 26, 11:01 PM CST, 1 hour 27 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO 1201 AM CDT Fri Mar 27 2020 KSZ057-105-MOZ037-043-270545- Johnson KS-Miami KS-Cass MO-Jackson MO- 1201 AM CDT Fri Mar 27 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN MIAMI...JOHNSON... NORTHWESTERN CASS AND SOUTHWESTERN JACKSON COUNTIES UNTIL 1245 AM CDT... At 1200 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Edgerton, moving east at 60 mph. Half inch hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe, Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, Lenexa, Leawood, Raytown, Grandview, Belton, Prairie Village, Raymore, Gardner, Pleasant Hill, Spring Hill, Greenwood, Peculiar, Lake Lotawana, Edgerton and Lake Winnebago. This includes the following highways... Interstate 70 in Missouri between mile markers 20 and 22. Interstate 35 in Kansas between mile markers 200 and 224. Interstate 470 between mile markers 0 and 15. Interstate 435 between mile markers 0 and 2, and between mile markers 67 and 83. 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 500 AM CDT for east central Kansas...and west central Missouri. LAT...LON 3892 9505 3904 9424 3872 9423 3867 9506 TIME...MOT...LOC 0500Z 263DEG 54KT 3878 9504 Barham
Special weather statement, Mar 26, 11:05 PM CST, 1 hour 23 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO 1205 AM CDT Fri Mar 27 2020 MOZ038-039-044-045-270530- Johnson MO-Saline MO-Lafayette MO-Pettis MO- 1205 AM CDT Fri Mar 27 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN PETTIS... SOUTHWESTERN SALINE...SOUTHEASTERN LAFAYETTE AND NORTHEASTERN JOHNSON COUNTIES UNTIL 1230 AM CDT... At 1205 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8 miles northwest of Warrensburg, moving east at 55 mph. Penny size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Warrensburg, Knob Noster, Concordia, Sweet Springs, La Monte, Houstonia, Centerview, Emma and Fayetteville. This includes Interstate 70 in Missouri between mile markers 51 and 69. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 500 AM CDT for central and west central Missouri. LAT...LON 3874 9394 3897 9395 3903 9336 3876 9335 TIME...MOT...LOC 0505Z 264DEG 48KT 3887 9380 Barham
Special weather statement, Mar 26, 11:30 PM CST, 58 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
1230 AM CDT Fri Mar 27 2020
MOZ039-040-045-046-270630-
Saline MO-Pettis MO-Cooper MO-Howard MO-
1230 AM CDT Fri Mar 27 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN PETTIS...SOUTHERN
HOWARD...SOUTHERN SALINE AND CENTRAL COOPER COUNTIES UNTIL 130 AM
CDT...
At 1230 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Houstonia, or over Sweet Springs, moving east at 55 mph.
Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Boonville, Sweet Springs, New Franklin, Pilot Grove, Houstonia,
Nelson, Hughesville, Blackwater, Franklin, Wooldridge, Arrow Rock and
Lamine.
This includes Interstate 70 in Missouri between mile markers 63 and
114.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 500 AM CDT for
central Missouri.
LAT...LON 3883 9255 3879 9348 3904 9349 3913 9250
3911 9250 3900 9256 3899 9256 3898 9257
3892 9250
TIME...MOT...LOC 0530Z 264DEG 48KT 3893 9338
BarhamSpecial weather statement, Mar 26, 11:49 PM CST, 39 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
1249 AM CDT Fri Mar 27 2020
KSZ105-MOZ037>039-043>045-270645-
Johnson KS-Cass MO-Johnson MO-Saline MO-Lafayette MO-Pettis MO-
Jackson MO-
1249 AM CDT Fri Mar 27 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN JOHNSON...NORTHERN
CASS...NORTHWESTERN PETTIS...SOUTHWESTERN SALINE...SOUTHERN
LAFAYETTE...SOUTHERN JACKSON AND NORTHERN JOHNSON COUNTIES UNTIL 145
AM CDT...
At 1249 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Belton, moving east at 60 mph.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Overland Park, Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, Leawood, Raytown,
Grandview, Belton, Raymore, Warrensburg, Pleasant Hill, Oak Grove,
Odessa, Greenwood, Higginsville, Peculiar, Knob Noster, Concordia,
Lake Lotawana, Lake Winnebago and Lone Jack.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 70 in Missouri between mile markers 34 and 64.
Interstate 470 between mile markers 0 and 12.
Interstate 435 between mile markers 70 and 80.
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 500 AM CDT for
east central Kansas...and central and west central Missouri.
LAT...LON 3874 9461 3874 9469 3894 9470 3907 9345
3876 9345 3870 9461
TIME...MOT...LOC 0549Z 263DEG 54KT 3880 9457
BarhamLocal storm report, Mar 27, 12:00 AM CST, 28 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE KANSAS CITY/PLEASANT HILL MO
100 AM CDT FRI MAR 27 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1258 AM HAIL BELTON 38.81N 94.53W
03/27/2020 E1.00 INCH CASS MO TRAINED SPOTTER
MOSTLY NICKEL SIZED HAIL WITH A FEW UP TO QUARTER SIZE.
&&
SPENCER.MELLSpecial weather statement, Mar 27, 12:05 AM CST, 23 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
105 AM CDT Fri Mar 27 2020
KSZ057-105-MOZ037-043-270645-
Johnson KS-Miami KS-Cass MO-Jackson MO-
105 AM CDT Fri Mar 27 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN MIAMI...JOHNSON...
NORTHWESTERN CASS AND SOUTHWESTERN JACKSON COUNTIES UNTIL 145 AM
CDT...
At 105 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Baldwin City, moving east at 60 mph.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe, Lee's Summit, Shawnee, Lenexa,
Leawood, Raytown, Grandview, Belton, Prairie Village, Raymore,
Gardner, Merriam, Mission, De Soto, Spring Hill, Peculiar, Fairway
and Mission Hills.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 35 in Kansas between mile markers 200 and 228.
Interstate 470 between mile markers 0 and 8.
Interstate 435 between mile markers 0 and 6, and between mile
markers 65 and 83.
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 500 AM CDT for
northeastern and east central Kansas...and west central Missouri.
LAT...LON 3898 9505 3897 9504 3900 9502 3898 9495
3900 9493 3899 9491 3902 9489 3903 9437
3866 9445 3865 9506
TIME...MOT...LOC 0605Z 263DEG 53KT 3880 9521
BarhamThe radar
The Pleasant Hill radar (KEAX), 45 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 06:29 UTC.
Event by event
1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
What these are
- Hail
- Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
The same day elsewhere
- Flash Flood and Heavy Rain in Hawaii, March 27 to 31, 2020
- Hail in Oklahoma, March 27, 2020
- Hail in Missouri, March 27, 2020
- Hail in Missouri, March 27, 2020
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Oklahoma, March 27 to 28, 2020
- Flooding in South Dakota, March 27 to 31, 2020
- Hail in Missouri, March 27, 2020
- High Wind in New Mexico, March 27, 2020
- Flash Flooding in Illinois, March 27 to 28, 2020
- High Wind in Texas, March 27 to 28, 2020
- Blizzard in Colorado, March 27 to 28, 2020
- Hail in Illinois, March 27, 2020
More
Every storm in Kansas in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Kansas, March 2020
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: 877049.