Hail and Damaging Wind in Kansas, August 20 to 25, 2021

Name: Hail and Damaging Wind in Kansas, August 20 to 25, 2021
Start: 2021-08-20T16:29
End: 2021-08-25T16:20
Location: Kansas

August 20 to 25, 2021 · NWS DDC · 2 events in 2 counties and zones

Isolated thunderstorms across western and northern counties along a stalled surface boundary extended from the leeside trough out of eastern Colorado. Shear and lapse rates were on the low side, but ample instability with DCAPE values around the 1000 J/kg mark allowed for some strong outflow winds to cause damage around the Ingalls area.

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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 2

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 DDC wrote it up.

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 Dodge City, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 20, 1:54 PM CST, 2 hours 35 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 20, 1:54 PM CST, 2 hours 35 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
254 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

...Updated short and long term discussion...

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday)
Issued at 254 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

A cold front was moving through central and southwest Kansas early
this afternoon and as of 2 pm, extended from around Hays to just
east of Dodge City to near Liberal. Per latest radar imagery, the
front has slowed down considerably across far southwest Kansas.

SPC analysis is showing an unstable airmass across the area with
SBCAPE values around 2500-3500 j/kg in areas from east of Dodge
City toward the Highway 281 corridor. Relatively drier air from
the Texas panhandle and far western Oklahoma spreading up into
the forecast areas has been keeping the CAPE values from spiking
quite so much. In addition, the best deep layer shear continues to
be farther northwest.

All of the CAMs show varying degrees of convective development across
southwest into south central Kansas this afternoon and evening with
the HRRR being the most aggressive. Visible satellite loops has
shown a line of elevated cumulus developing along the front from
near Liberal to southeast of Dodge City. With very warm mid level
temperatures (-4C at 500mb) over the area, it may be difficult to
get much convection to punch through and maintain through the late
afternoon hours. Still, with better low level convergence, we
can't totally rule it out. If any storms do get going, a few
severe storms are possible with hail up to quarter size and strong
to damaging wind gusts. Will maintain the slight chance to chance
pops from the current forecast through this evening.

The front will continue to drop south and east overnight and is
forecast to extend from far southeast Kansas into the central Texas
Panhandle by Saturday morning. High temperatures on Saturday will
be several degrees cooler than today due to a slightly cooler
airmass easterly upslope winds during the day. The front is forecast
to lift back to the north during the day. The CAMs show showers
and thunderstorms developing along the front later Saturday afternoon
and evening. There is some question as to how much of this will
make it back into southwest/south central Kansas Saturday evening/night.
Will maintain some slight chance pops for that possibility.

.LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Friday)
Issued at 254 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

After being shunted southward late this week into the weekend, the
extended period will see the upper level ridge rebuilding into an
east-west oriented upper high across the central and southern CONUS.
The ECMWF/GFS models show another less robust upper level wave moving
out of the northern Rockies into the northern Plains on Sunday. The
best chances for thunderstorms will be to the north of west central
and southwest Kansas as the frontal boundary associated with this
wave is progged to stay to the north of the forecast area.

Temperatures should be back up around 100 degrees across the forecast
area through the first half of next week. Additional waves crossing
the northern Plains could force a frontal boundary south into the
central Plains by around mid week but confidence in this is low
given the strength of the upper ridge.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday afternoon)
Issued at 1216 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

A cold front is switching winds to the northwest at the southwest
Kansas terminals as of midday. Look for gusts to around 20 knots
or so to develop behind the front this afternoon. Winds at Hays
will be a little slower to increase from the northwest but should
be there by mid afternoon. VFR conditions are expected otherwise.
Widely scattered thunderstorms are expected along the front this
afternoon and evening but these should be south and east of the
terminals.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
DDC  96  63  88  68 /  10  10  10  10
GCK  94  61  87  66 /  10  10  10  10
EHA  95  61  86  66 /  10   0  10  10
LBL  97  62  89  66 /  10  10  20  10
HYS  92  62  84  66 /  10  10  10  20
P28 100  70  92  70 /  30  30  20  20

&&

.DDC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NONE.
&&

SHORT TERM...Gerard
LONG TERM...Gerard
AVIATION...Gerard

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 20, 1:41 AM CST, 14 hours 48 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
241 AM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

KSZ030-031-043>046-061>066-074>081-084>090-210745-
Trego-Ellis-Scott-Lane-Ness-Rush-Hamilton-Kearny-Finney-Hodgeman-
Pawnee-Stafford-Stanton-Grant-Haskell-Gray-Ford-Edwards-Kiowa-
Pratt-Morton-Stevens-Seward-Meade-Clark-Comanche-Barber-
241 AM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021 /141 AM MDT Fri Aug 20 2021/

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central...south
central...southwest and west central Kansas.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Day 1 Discussion
----------------

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible Friday afternoon
and evening along a weak cold front that will stall out over the
southeast zones. Environmental conditions will support a marginal
severe hail/wind threat along with dangerous cloud to ground
lightning.

Day 1 Hazards
-------------
* Lightning: Limited risk
* Excessive heat: Limited risk
* Non-thunderstorm wind: Limited risk

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Days 2-7 Discussion
-------------------

The cold front from Friday is expected to lift back north as a
warm front late Saturday afternoon and evening, fostering another
chance of thunderstorms for roughly the southern half of our area.
Environmental conditions will again support a marginal severe
hail/wind threat as well as dangerous cloud to ground lightning.

Early next week, hot and dry weather will return to southwest KS,
with triple digit afternoon highs expected both Monday and
Tuesday. However, limited moisture will likely preclude excessive
heat risk.

Days 2-7 Hazards
----------------
* Saturday
  - Lightning: Limited risk
  - Excessive heat: Limited risk

* Sunday
  - Excessive heat: Limited risk
  - Non thunderstorm wind: Limited risk
  - Fire weather: Elevated risk

* Monday
  - Excessive heat: Limited risk
  - Non thunderstorm wind: Limited risk

* Tuesday
  - Lightning: Limited risk
  - Excessive heat: Limited risk
  - Non thunderstorm wind: Limited risk

* Wednesday
  - Lightning: Limited risk
  - Excessive heat: Elevated risk

* Thursday
  - Lightning: Limited risk
  - Excessive heat: Limited risk
  - Non thunderstorm wind: Limited risk

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight.

&&

For more details visit our webpage
https://weather.gov/crh/ghwo?sid=ddc

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 20, 2:56 PM CST, 1 hour 33 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
356 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

KSZ065-079-202130-
Pawnee KS-Edwards KS-
356 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Pawnee,
western Stafford and northern Edwards Counties through 430 PM CDT...

At 355 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Garfield, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Garfield around 405 PM CDT.
  Zook and Frizell around 415 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this storm include Larned.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3802 9894 3790 9939 3804 9947 3828 9903
      3826 9903 3826 9901
TIME...MOT...LOC 2055Z 240DEG 27KT 3802 9929

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

RUSSELL

Special weather statement, Aug 20, 3:07 PM CST, 1 hour 22 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
407 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

KSZ078>080-202130-
Kiowa KS-Edwards KS-Ford KS-
407 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central Ford,
northwestern Kiowa and southwestern Edwards Counties through 430 PM
CDT...

At 407 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Windhorst, moving northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Kinsley.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3761 9958 3775 9971 3800 9937 3778 9917
TIME...MOT...LOC 2107Z 234DEG 22KT 3773 9957

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

RUSSELL

Special weather statement, Aug 20, 3:32 PM CST, 57 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
432 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

KSZ065-079-202200-
Pawnee KS-Edwards KS-
432 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central Pawnee
and northwestern Edwards Counties through 500 PM CDT...

At 431 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Kinsley, moving northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Garfield.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3791 9946 3796 9953 3812 9927 3798 9917
TIME...MOT...LOC 2131Z 239DEG 23KT 3797 9938

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

RUSSELL

Special weather statement, Aug 20, 3:45 PM CST, 44 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
445 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

KSZ079-202215-
Edwards KS-
445 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Kiowa,
southeastern Pawnee and southwestern Edwards Counties through 515 PM
CDT...

At 445 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Centerview, moving northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Centerview around 450 PM CDT.
  Lewis and Fellsburg around 505 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3774 9914 3773 9937 3773 9941 3791 9946
      3800 9915
TIME...MOT...LOC 2145Z 245DEG 20KT 3783 9934

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

RUSSELL

Special weather statement, Aug 20, 4:02 PM CST, 27 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
502 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

KSZ065-202230-
Pawnee KS-
502 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of eastern Pawnee and
northern Edwards Counties through 530 PM CDT...

At 501 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm very
near Garfield, moving northeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Frizell around 515 PM CDT.
  Zook around 520 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this storm include Larned.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3800 9911 3800 9934 3817 9934 3828 9906
      3801 9906
TIME...MOT...LOC 2201Z 245DEG 16KT 3807 9922

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

RUSSELL

The radar

The Dodge City radar (KDDC), 91 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:28 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 hail, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Pawnee

When: August 20, 4:29 PM CST
Where: Pawnee County, 4.33 mi ESE of Ash Valley
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.270, -99.150

Thunderstorm Wind, Gray

When: August 25, 4:20 PM CST
Where: Gray County, Ingalls
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.830, -100.450

There was damage done to a shed and there was also shingle damage.

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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kansas in 2021 Every state in 2021 This day in weather history Warnings in Kansas, August 2021

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: 983152, 983154.