It was truly a one storm show within this North Central Kansas area on this Thursday evening, as a large, very slow-moving supercell presided over much of the northern half of Phillips County for about four hours, causing flooding rains, large hail and even sparking a few brief, lightning-induced grass fires along its leading (southern) edge in advance of the heavy rain core. Above all else,…
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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 GID wrote it up.
It was truly a one storm show within this North Central Kansas area on this Thursday evening, as a large, very slow-moving supercell presided over much of the northern half of Phillips County for about four hours, causing flooding rains, large hail and even sparking a few brief, lightning-induced grass fires along its leading (southern) edge in advance of the heavy rain core. Above all else, flash flooding/areal flooding was the main impact. Though ground-truth gauge reports were very limited, radar data strongly supported that much of the northern half of the county received a widespread 2-4 inches of rain, with particularly some north central locales likely registering at least 4-6 (there was even an unofficial report of 9 in the bullseye of heaviest rain). True flash flooding subsided before sunrise on Friday the 29th, but emergency management reported that a number of rural gravel roads had been (or were still) covered with water, particularly within a zone 5-10 miles north of Phillipsburg. In addition, a CoCoRaHS observer six miles east of Phillipsburg reported early on the 29th that a nearby creek (likely Big Creek) was in flood due to the deluge several miles upstream (merely 0.12 fell at his residence). Besides flooding, large hail was the main impact from this storm, as there were a handful of reports of stones ranging from 1-2 diameter. These large hail reports originated from as far north as Highway 183 near the Nebraska border, as far west as the Prairie View area and as far southeast as roughly seven miles east-northeast of Phillipsburg.
Breaking down event evolution, this supercell initiated about 20 miles north of the state line in Harlan County Nebraska around 4 p.m. CDT, within an axis of modest surface moisture convergence along a weak trough axis extending northeastward out of western Kansas. However, given an extremely slow southward storm motion, its leading edge did not reach far northern Phillips County until around 6:30 p.m. CDT. Over the next few hours it crept slowly south through northern portions of the county before becoming nearly stationary particularly between 9-10 p.m. CDT. Finally, between 10-10:30 p.m. CDT this storm steadily weakened and dissipated, but not before reversing course and making a last minute shift back north toward the state line. Although the Phillips County supercell was clearly the weather story of the night within North Central Kansas, several hours later (mainly between 2:30-5:30 a.m. CDT on the 29th) scattered storms flared up over much of the area before departing off to the north/east. Radar data suggested that a few marginally-severe hail cores might have briefly occurred with this activity (mainly in Phillips/Mitchell counties), but there were no verifying reports. In the mid-upper levels, this was a weakly-forced event as North Central Kansas resided under fairly benign quasi-zonal flow (even subtle weak ridging), well-downstream from a larger-scale trough that remained well to the west during the evening (over the Intermountain West). As a result, deep-layer wind shear was not overly-strong, averaging around 35 knots. In addition, low-level moisture was seasonably-modest, with surface dewpoints peaking only mid-50s (F). However, due in part to afternoon temperatures climbing a bit higher than anticipated (highs mid-80s), mixed-layer CAPE topped out as high as 1500-2000 J/kg. Ultimately, the combination of healthy instability, modest shear and eventually an increasing low level jet proved sufficient to sustain the Phillips County supercell for several hours.
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 Hastings, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 28, 2:15 PM CST, 3 hours 35 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Hastings NE
315 PM CDT Thu Apr 28 2022
.DISCUSSION...(This evening through Thursday)
Issued at 253 PM CDT Thu Apr 28 2022
A near-stationary boundary might be the focus of some late
afternoon and evening convection. With little in the way of a cap,
we will have a scenario where deep layer shear will be marginal,
near 30 KTS or so, but MLCAPE 2000-2500 J/kg this
afternoon/evening will be enough for some pulse-like marginal
severe storms at least. We might even get a brief spin-up along
the stationary boundary, especially with the low-shear
environment.
Strong signal for low stratus this morning, and perhaps some
reduced visibility.
We could also stand a chance at some short-term near-critical fire
weather issues in at least our Kansas counties as the dry air
surges north ahead of the cold front.
Strong negatively tiled shortwave trough heads into the
northern/central Plains tomorrow. Hi- res CAMS indicate that as
the surface low tracks northeast across the CWA tomorrow, the
triple point may wind up being near the tri- cities, putting
tornado threat as far north as the tri- city area for Friday
afternoon/early evening time frame. Plenty of moisture wraps
around into the triple point region and could be a sneaky busy day
for severe weather. Even storms farther west look like potentially
producers of large hail and quite strong severe gusts. The window
for severe activity will be relatively short-lived from mid
afternoon to mid evening time frame before heading east of the
area by late evening.
Cold front surges through and still a strong signal for near-high
wind criteria wind gusts near 60 mph from the northwest,
especially near and west of tri-cities. Saturday looks like a
quite windy and potentially damp day with wrap around moisture on
the backside of the low. Signals from models still point toward
at least marginally high wind with gusts near 60 mph for Saturday.
Next week looks rather cool with potentially several periods of
meaningful rain chances, with increasing consistency with this
trend.
&&
.AVIATION...(For the 18Z KGRI/KEAR TAFS through 18Z Friday)
Issued at 1257 PM CDT Thu Apr 28 2022
Thunderstorms could erupt by about 23Z or 00Z along a nearby
nearly stationary boundary. Plenty of instability is developing,
but we are low on shear, so any storms that develop this evening
could be rather pulse-like. Stratus signal has been consistent for
late tonight and into Friday morning. Most of our thunder chances
are this evening, but outside chances linger through early morning
Friday. MVFR visibility is possible as well.
&&
.GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...High Wind Watch from Saturday morning through late Saturday
night for NEZ039-040-046-047-060>062-072>075-082>085.
KS...High Wind Watch from Saturday morning through late Saturday
night for KSZ005-006-017-018.
&&
DISCUSSION...Heinlein
AVIATION...HeinleinHazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Hastings NE 449 PM CDT Thu Apr 28 2022 KSZ005>007-017>019-NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087- 291215- Phillips-Smith-Jewell-Rooks-Osborne-Mitchell-Valley-Greeley-Nance- Sherman-Howard-Merrick-Polk-Dawson-Buffalo-Hall-Hamilton-York- Gosper-Phelps-Kearney-Adams-Clay-Fillmore-Furnas-Harlan-Franklin- Webster-Nuckolls-Thayer- 449 PM CDT Thu Apr 28 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Nebraska and portions of north central Kansas. .DAY ONE...Late This Afternoon and Tonight. Although many locations will remain thunderstorm-free, isolated to scattered storm development is likely at various times through tonight and in various parts of the coverage area. A few storms could become strong to severe, with the main threat being hail up to perhaps as big as golf balls, and wind gusts up to around 60 MPH. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Friday into Friday night brings an overall-better chance for more widespread thunderstorm activity, including a greater chance for severe thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening. The majority of the outlook area is under a Slight Risk for severe storms, with the most favored time frame being 3 to 11 PM. The main hazards with the most intense storms will be large hail to at least golf ball size, damaging wind gusts up to around 70 MPH, and the possibility for a few tornadoes, especially with any storms that develop near and especially south and east of the Nebraska Tri Cities. In addition on Friday afternoon, the combination of gusty winds and low relative humidity may lead to near-critical to briefly critical fire danger in portions of north central Kansas, particularly within Rooks, Osborne and Mitchell counties Finally, as thunderstorms exit the picture, strong northwest winds will overtake the entire outlook area late Friday night into especially Saturday daytime. Sustained speeds of 30 to 40 MPH appear likely Saturday, accompanied by gusts of 50 to 60 MPH. A High Wind Watch is in effect during the daytime and evening hours Saturday for counties along and west of Highway 281, which stand the best chance of seeing gusts around 60 MPH. Additional chances for thunderstorms enter the picture Sunday night into Monday, and again Wednesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report any possible instances of large hail or strong thunderstorm winds that might occur through tonight. && More information may be obtained at the following web page: https://www.weather.gov/hastings Pfannkuch
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
537 PM CDT THU APR 28 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0535 PM HEAVY RAIN 1 N OXFORD 40.27N 99.63W
04/28/2022 M1.46 INCH FURNAS NE MESONET
MESONET RAIN TOTAL...MOST OF WHICH FELL
BETWEEN 345-5PM.
&&
PFANNKUCHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
553 PM CDT THU APR 28 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0530 PM HAIL 3 N ALMA 40.15N 99.37W
04/28/2022 E1.50 INCH HARLAN NE PUBLIC
REPORT RELAYED FROM ONE SPOTTER TO ANOTHER.
TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
&&
PFANNKUCHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
558 PM CDT THU APR 28 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0555 PM HAIL 2 NW ORLEANS 40.15N 99.48W
04/28/2022 E0.70 INCH HARLAN NE CO-OP OBSERVER
&&
PFANNKUCHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
559 PM CDT Thu Apr 28 2022
NEZ039-040-282330-
Valley NE-Greeley NE-
559 PM CDT Thu Apr 28 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Greeley
and northeastern Valley Counties through 630 PM CDT...
At 558 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Ord, moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel 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 storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northwestern
Greeley and northeastern Valley Counties.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4154 9892 4174 9888 4174 9832 4150 9856
TIME...MOT...LOC 2258Z 291DEG 13KT 4163 9884
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
WeselyPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
609 PM CDT THU APR 28 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0607 PM HAIL 2 NW ORLEANS 40.15N 99.48W
04/28/2022 E1.00 INCH HARLAN NE CO-OP OBSERVER
ONGOING QUARTER SIZE HAIL.
&&
PFANNKUCHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
650 PM CDT Thu Apr 28 2022
NEZ047-290015-
Howard NE-
650 PM CDT Thu Apr 28 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Howard
County through 715 PM CDT...
At 649 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Cotesfield, or 18 miles southeast of Ord, moving southeast at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel 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...
Elba and Cotesfield.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4127 9843 4125 9875 4139 9874 4139 9839
TIME...MOT...LOC 2349Z 317DEG 7KT 4139 9870
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
WeselyThe Grand Island radar (KUEX), 86 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:50 UTC.
4 hail, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Hail up to golf ball size was reported along this path.
Hail ranging in size from pennies up to two inches in diameter was reported along and near this path.
Emergency management reported several roads had been affected by flash flooding overnight (including some washouts), and a few still had water covering them into the daytime on the 29th. An NWS Hastings employee in the area came across at least three spots along Hunter Road where grooves had been cut into gravel roads. Most of the damage to roads was concentrated in an area approximately 5-10 miles north of Phillipsburg. Radar data strongly supported that much of the northern half of the county received a widespread 2-4 inches of rain, with particularly some north central locales likely registering at least 4-6 (there was even an unofficial report of 9 in the bullseye of heaviest rain).
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kansas in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Kansas, April 2022
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: 1013393, 1013395, 1013396, 1013397, 1013490.