Storms initially developed around mid-day in west-central Kansas along an outflow boundary producing heavy rain and up to 60 mph thunderstorm wind gusts in Wichita and Logan counties. Throughout the afternoon, the environment became more favorable for storms as the initial storms expanded north to the Nebraska border with embedded supercell storms.
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 GLD wrote it up.
Storms initially developed around mid-day in west-central Kansas along an outflow boundary producing heavy rain and up to 60 mph thunderstorm wind gusts in Wichita and Logan counties. Throughout the afternoon, the environment became more favorable for storms as the initial storms expanded north to the Nebraska border with embedded supercell storms. During the afternoon, these storms were able to produce multiple tornadoes, up to golf ball sized hail, and up to 60 mph thunderstorm wind gusts.
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 May 24, 1:18 PM CST, 42 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Goodland KS 118 PM MDT Mon May 24 2021 .SHORT TERM...(This afternoon through Tuesday) Issued at 1135 AM MDT Mon May 24 2021 17Z WV imagery and RAP analysis indicate CWA on southern periphery of trough and associated jet streak, which was centered over the northern plains. At the surface, fairly widespread stratus remains over the center portions of the area with fog and even measurable drizzle occurring along Interstate 70. Main forecast concerns will be thunderstorm chances and severity this afternoon and evening. While stratus deck has complicated forecast , this should continue to mix out through the afternoon and with dewpoints in the lower 60s, will not take much insolation for atmosphere to destabilize. With MLCAPES in the 1000-2000 j/kg range and effective shear in the 35-50 kt range expect environment to be favorable for development of severe storms. For initation, looking at two areas of initial thunderstorm development. The first will be along east- west oriented outflow boundary across southern CWA. Skies have cleared in this area and with apparent triple point forming along it, think forcing will be strongest in this area. A secondary area will extend to the north of Tribune towards McCook, although recent observations seem to suggest this convergent area has diminished some what, which lowers confidence for this area being a primary development area. If storms do not develop in this area, may have to wait until the evening period before any storms forming over Colorado can make it into the area. For threats, large hail appears the most likely threat with stronger storms, but given supercell potential and aided by differential heating and backed winds along outflow boundary think possibility for a tornado remains. Right now, it appears favored area will be in the Greeley-Wichita county area along aforementioned outflow boundary. Should areas farther north destabilize and convergence along trough intensify along a Goodland to McCook line, may see a threat for a brief tornado or land spout given the strong low level instability along this boundary. Low level jet intensifies in the evening and will support the development of more widespread precipitation along and north of H85 frontal zone which may be accompanied by a few larger hail storms, but with storms not being rooted in boundary layer shear profiles will not be as strong as the afternoon. Finally, precipitable water values over an inch and recent trends with precipitation support the threat for heavy rain. A few areas received heavy rain last night may be more at risk for flooding, but confidence not high enough in heavy rain lining up with these areas to warrant a watch. Cold front will sweep through the area overnight, clearing out any fog and storms through the morning hours and ushering in a bit of quiet weather. .LONG TERM...(Wednesday through Monday) Issued at 117 PM MDT Mon May 24 2021 The long term period looks to be unsettled though there should be a few days with quieter weather. High temperatures should be near to slightly above average through the week. Potential for slightly below average temperatures next week. Wednesday starts with a chance for severe weather during the afternoon and evening hours with the main threat currently favoring locales east of Hwy 83. With the area under southwest flow aloft, there is a chance for a shortwave to move through the area during the afternoon hours. Guidance is also suggesting that a surface low will move off the Front Range and into Western KS. Finally, guidance is suggesting that MLCAPE could reach above 2000 J/KG along with lapse rates greater than 8C and effective shear reaching 40 knots. It is still a bit early to assume that those parameters will hold and be exact, but they do suggest that instability will be present should storms form. High temperatures are expected to reach the 80's though how high they go will depend on when/where cloud cover forms. Thursday and Friday are forecasted to be a bit quieter as a cold front moves in from the northwest late Wed/early Thur and brings slightly cooler temperatures and drier air. The upper air pattern aloft is expected to be more laminar during these days and higher surface pressure is expected to move into the Plains. With all of this in mind, Thursday and Friday will have lower POPs and sunnier skies are more likely though an isolated thunderstorm can not be ruled out due to daytime heating and dewpoints potentially reaching the mid 50's. High temperatures are expected to be in the mid 70's to lower 80's. For the weekend, more uncertainty in the forecast as guidance diverges in the expected solution for the surface pattern. Guidance agrees on the upper level pattern transitioning to a broad ridge over the East-Central CONUS with a trough moving into the Western CONUS. At the surface, guidance does keep lower pressure to the southwest of the Tri-State area with higher pressure north and east. However, the GFS bring the center of the low pressure closer to the area Sunday while the ECMWF keeps the higher pressure over the area. The closer the low pressure, the greater the synoptic lift will be present for storms. Meanwhile the pattern supports Gulf of Mexico moisture moving north into the area similar to the past week. So depending on how things set up, there will be a chance for afternoon/evening storms through the weekend with the potential for severe weather as well. This will become clearer as we get closer to the weekend. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Tuesday afternoon) Issued at 1135 AM MDT Mon May 24 2021 PERSISTENT LIFR conditions at GLD will improve quickly in the next 2 hours as fog and stratus deck mixes out, but given the size of cloud field, think MVFR ceilings may linger around through the afternoon. Both KGLD and KMCK will likely be impacted by thunderstorms in the afternoon and again through the overnight hours. Initial thunderstorms will be accompanied by mvfr conditions, but think precipitation will also bring IFR conditions overnight as stratus and fog redevelop. A cold front will sweep through the area around 12z, bringing a return to VFR conditions. && .GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KS...NONE. CO...NONE. NE...NONE. && SHORT TERM...JRM LONG TERM...KAK AVIATION...JRM
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Goodland KS 1044 AM MDT Mon May 24 2021 COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-251645- Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Rawlins-Decatur-Norton-Sherman-Thomas- Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock- Red Willow- 1044 AM MDT Mon May 24 2021 /1144 AM CDT Mon May 24 2021/ This hazardous weather outlook is for extreme southwest Nebraska... northwest Kansas and east central Colorado. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT... Thunderstorms will develop across the area, mainly along and east of a Weskan to McCook line after 1 PM MDT (2 PM CDT). Large hail approaching golf ball size, damaging wind gusts and a tornado are possible. Thunderstorms will continue into the overnight hours and may become more widespread, with the threat transitioning to large hail. The threat for tornadoes will occur in two primary areas through the early evening. The first is along a Wallace to Oberlin line and if a tornado were to occur in this area it would likely be brief. The second area will be across Greeley and Wichita counties, the potential for a longer lived tornado will be higher in this area. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH MONDAY... Severe thunderstorms are possible across much of the region Wednesday afternoon and evening. Threats will include large hail, damaging wind, heavy rain and a small threat for tornadoes/ For next weekend, there will be the chance for some strong to severe thunderstorms to occur each day. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is likely after 1 PM MDT (2 PM CDT).
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
856 AM MDT MON MAY 24 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0830 AM HEAVY RAIN OAKLEY 39.13N 100.85W
05/24/2021 E2.00 INCH LOGAN KS PUBLIC
STORM TOTAL RAINFALL FOR LAST NIGHT.
&&
KAKPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
857 AM MDT MON MAY 24 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0856 AM HEAVY RAIN 3 SE MONUMENT 39.06N 100.96W
05/24/2021 E2.00 INCH LOGAN KS PUBLIC
STORM TOTAL RAINFALL FOR LAST NIGHT.
&&
KAKPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
1003 AM MDT MON MAY 24 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM HEAVY RAIN 10 S SHARON SPRINGS 38.75N 101.75W
05/24/2021 M2.34 INCH WALLACE KS COCORAHS
24 HR RAINFALL.
&&
KAKPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
1136 AM MDT MON MAY 24 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0645 PM HAIL 12 S STRATTON 39.13N 102.58W
05/23/2021 M1.75 INCH KIT CARSON CO BROADCAST MEDIA
KAKE STORM CHASER REPORTS GOLF BALL SIZED
HAIL AT COUNTY ROAD G AND COUNTY ROAD 32.
0702 PM HAIL KIT CARSON 38.77N 102.79W
05/23/2021 U0.75 INCH CHEYENNE CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0712 PM HAIL 3 W BETHUNE 39.30N 102.48W
05/23/2021 U1.00 INCH KIT CARSON CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: QUARTER (1.00 IN.).
0719 PM HAIL 3 W BETHUNE 39.30N 102.48W
05/23/2021 M1.75 INCH KIT CARSON CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0725 PM HAIL 15 S BURLINGTON 39.09N 102.28W
05/23/2021 U0.50 INCH KIT CARSON CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: HALF-INCH (0.50 IN.).
0740 PM HAIL 14 NW SAINT FRANCIS 39.93N 101.97W
05/23/2021 M0.70 INCH CHEYENNE KS PUBLIC
CALLED IN REPORT.
0752 PM HAIL 3 W BURLINGTON 39.30N 102.33W
05/23/2021 M1.00 INCH KIT CARSON CO PUBLIC
REPORT OF LOTS OF HALF INCH TO QUARTER SIZE
HAIL.
0752 PM HAIL SAINT FRANCIS 39.77N 101.80W
05/23/2021 U0.50 INCH CHEYENNE KS PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: HALF-INCH (0.50 IN.).
0755 PM HAIL 2 W KANORADO 39.33N 102.07W
05/23/2021 U0.50 INCH KIT CARSON CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: HALF-INCH (0.50 IN.).
0757 PM HAIL 1 SSW BURLINGTON 39.30N 102.28W
05/23/2021 M0.75 INCH KIT CARSON CO PUBLIC
0801 PM HAIL SAINT FRANCIS 39.77N 101.80W
05/23/2021 U0.50 INCH CHEYENNE KS PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: HALF-INCH (0.50 IN.).
0818 PM HAIL 13 N CHEYENNE WELLS 39.00N 102.31W
05/23/2021 E0.25 INCH CHEYENNE CO PUBLIC
ALSO REPORT OF HEAVY RAIN LOWERING
VISIBILITY.
0820 PM HAIL 12 N RULETON 39.51N 101.92W
05/23/2021 E0.70 INCH SHERMAN KS PUBLIC
0824 PM HAIL 4 E FIRSTVIEW 38.81N 102.45W
05/23/2021 M0.70 INCH CHEYENNE CO LAW ENFORCEMENT
DISPATCH REPORTED DIME SIZE HAIL ALONG WITH
NEAR ZERO VISIBILITY DUE TO HEAVY RAIN.
0840 PM HAIL 12 S ARAPAHOE 38.68N 102.17W
05/23/2021 E1.00 INCH CHEYENNE CO PUBLIC
CALLER REPORTED HAIL RANGING FROM NICKEL TO
QUARTER IN SIZE. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
0904 PM HAIL 1 E KANORADO 39.33N 102.01W
05/23/2021 U0.50 INCH SHERMAN KS PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: HALF-INCH (0.50 IN.).
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1246 PM MDT Mon May 24 2021
KSZ041-042-241900-
Wichita KS-Greeley KS-
1246 PM MDT Mon May 24 2021
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN WICHITA AND NORTHEASTERN
GREELEY COUNTIES UNTIL 100 PM MDT/200 PM CDT/...
At 1246 PM MDT/146 PM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm 9 miles northeast of Tribune, moving northeast at 45
mph.
Nickel size hail will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Leoti and Selkirk.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM MDT/900 PM CDT/ for
west central Kansas.
LAT...LON 3855 10175 3870 10159 3870 10150 3854 10118
3840 10161
TIME...MOT...LOC 1846Z 232DEG 39KT 3853 10160
JRMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1259 PM MDT Mon May 24 2021
KSZ041-042-241915-
Wichita KS-Greeley KS-
1259 PM MDT Mon May 24 2021
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN WICHITA AND EAST
CENTRAL GREELEY COUNTIES UNTIL 115 PM MDT/215 PM CDT/...
At 1259 PM MDT/159 PM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm 11 miles west of Leoti, moving northeast at 35 mph.
Nickel size hail will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Selkirk.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM MDT/900 PM CDT/ for
west central Kansas.
LAT...LON 3857 10170 3870 10151 3870 10148 3855 10123
3842 10156
TIME...MOT...LOC 1859Z 233DEG 28KT 3855 10156
JRMThe Goodland radar (KGLD), 80 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:00 UTC.
7 tornado, 3 thunderstorm wind, 3 hail, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Wichita County law enforcement reported water over KS Highway 25 at Hackberry Creek estimated to be at least six inches deep. Law enforcement barricaded the highway along the creek due to the high amount of water over the road.
Disptach relayed a spotter report of a brief tornado. Radar used for precise location. Another tornado (occurring just across the county line in Logan County) happened simultaneously with this tornado towards the end of this tornado's life.
Received report of two tornadoes ongoing simultaneously. From radar imagery, two distinct circulations were evident...one in Wallace County and this one in Logan County.
Caller reported seeing tornado on the ground far north of Sharon Springs. Radar used to confirm exact times and locations.
Small short-lived tornado reported by trained spotter. Radar used for more accurate location estimate.
Trained spotters, storm chasers, law enforcement, and off-duty NWS meteorologists reported a brief tornado east to northeast of Colby.
Trained spotters and off-duty NWS meteorologists reported brief tornado. Also reported on social media.
A supercell thunderstorm produced estimated wind gusts of 50-60 mph and pea sized hail.
A supercell thunderstorm produced up to penny sized hail and heavy rain along US-83.
A supercell thunderstorm produced dime to nickel sized hail.
A large, multi-vortex tornado moved across northwestern Sheridan County, Kansas, impacting the town of Selden. The tornado started west of town initially and moved slowly to the east, eventually crossing Highway 83. As the tornado crossed the highway, it started to impact structures on the west side of Selden, and eventually moving across the town. In town, damage was widespread and quiet concentrated. At one point, the tornado reached a width of one half mile wide. Damage consisted of thousands of broken tree limbs, hundreds of uprooted and snapped trees, shingles off and pieces of roofing removed from residences and buildings, many farm outbuildings either missing roofing material, walls damaged, and/or the building completely collapsed and removed from its foundation, windows broken out of houses, buildings, and vehicles, snapped power poles, overturned irrigation pivots, overturned semis and rail cars, and several grain silos blown over.
The tornado then proceeded to the east, exiting town and heading towards the Highway 83 and Highway 383 split. There were a few more irrigation pivots overturned, as well as power poles snapped. The tornado appeared to dissipate as it neared the Highway 83 and Highway 383 split due to a lack of any visible damage at that intersection.
The challenge with this survey was there were multiple vortices causing damage. Therefore, there were a few areas of more concentrated high-end EF-1 damage with broad/widespread EF-0 to EF-1 damage.
There was one minor injury with this event. The town tornado sirens were not functioning as a result of a power outage. Therefore, fire fighters jumped into their vehicles to drive through town to warn people of the coming tornado. Powerlines fell upon one of the trucks, striking a fire fighter in the back of the neck. Injury was treated on scene.
Mesonet station KKSGRAIN4 measured a 60 mph wind gust associated with a band of heavy rain moving across Gove County.
Wind gusts occurred behind the thunderstorm activity.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kansas in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Kansas, 2021Warnings in Kansas, May 2021
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: 960414, 962564, 962565, 962566, 962567, 962568, 962569, 959777, 959778, 959780, 959782, 962570, 959799, 961472.