This Wednesday was only an opening act to many markedly windy days within North Central Kansas during April 2022 (per analysis of data from nearby Concordia/Hill City airports this was likely the overall-windiest April since at least 1996). and there were a few measured marginally-severe criteria gusts up to 58 MPH.
Every event with a place to put it; 4 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 GID wrote it up.
This Wednesday was only an opening act to many markedly windy days within North Central Kansas during April 2022 (per analysis of data from nearby Concordia/Hill City airports this was likely the overall-windiest April since at least 1996). Primarily between the mid-morning and late afternoon hours, sustained northwesterly winds were commonly at least 25-35 MPH with frequent gusts 45-55 MPH...and there were a few measured marginally-severe criteria gusts up to 58 MPH. The overall-strongest winds targeted Phillips, Rooks, Smith and Osborne counties, including unofficial peak gusts of 58 MPH at Phillipsburg airport (AWOS) and Logan (mesonet). Although there were no known reports of notable wind damage, the combination of strong winds and ongoing drought conditions promoted fairly widespread areas of blowing dust, reducing visibility to one mile or less in various locations.
In the mid-upper levels, the main player in what would end up being a two-day high wind event for the local area (along with the 7th) was a powerful/deep closed low churning over the northern Minnesota/Wisconsin region. At the surface, a nearly co-located intense low pressure center bottomed out around 988 millibars across MN/WI during the day. This placed the state of Kansas in a favorable environment for high winds within the southwest quadrant of the large-scale low. At mid-day (18Z), a respectable northeast-to-southwest pressure gradient of 12 millibars was noted across the state (ranging from 1006 millibars in far northeast KS to 1018 millibars far southwest). Furthermore, steep low-level lapse rates allowed efficient downward momentum transfer from aloft during the daylight hours, with wind speeds in the 850-700 millibar layer averaging 40-50 knots.
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 6, 5:47 AM CST, 3 hours 13 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Hastings NE
647 AM CDT Wed Apr 6 2022
.DISCUSSION...(Today through Tuesday)
Issued at 253 AM CDT Wed Apr 6 2022
Skies have become mostly clear across the region overnight as the
local area remains between some approaching high clouds to our
north and a band of clouds across central Kansas. Despite the
clearing skies and cool airmass in place behind yesterdays cold
front...temperatures have remained near normal so far this
morning...in large part due to sustained westerly winds in the 15
to 20 mph range for most of the night.
Expect winds to become the focus towards sunrise as sites to our
north are already reporting 50 MPH+ winds as an upper level low
across central Minnesota continues to intensify...with a surge of
40-50KT winds headed our way towards daybreak. Given the fact
winds should be ramping up significantly around sunrise...went
ahead and moved up the start time for the high wind warning for
today to 7 AM CDT...although continue to anticipate the strongest
winds later today.
As temperatures then warm a bit during the mid to late morning
hours...expect cloud cover to increase as convective temps are in
the upper 40s to near 50F...allowing for some shallow cumulus and
light showers to develop and rapidly progress southeastwards
across parts of the local area...while at the same time helping to
mix down even stronger winds from aloft. While some light
showers/sprinkles will be around for much of the afternoon...this
is not a scenario supportive of any beneficial precip...with many
locations remaining dry and others receiving only a trace to a
hundredth of an inch or so.
At the same time as very strong winds rake the area...relative
humidity values should drop into the lower 20s this
afternoon...and continued with a somewhat marginal Red Flag
Warning for the afternoon hours with relative humidity values
being the limiting factor...although given the strong winds...if a
fire were to get started...it could easily get out of control
quickly and having the Red Flag Warning out is warranted.
As the main low then continues to wrap up to our northeast on
Thursday...another very windy day is in store for the local
area...potentially even slightly windier than today. As a
result...felt comfortable upgrading and expanding the high wind
watch to a high wind warning for tomorrow...as gusts of 60 to 65
mph are not out of the question in this pattern. Given the strong
winds and marginal RH values again in the forecast...also upgraded
the fire weather watch to a Red Flag warning for the area expected
to see relative humidity values of 20 to 25 percent during the
afternoon hours tomorrow.
As the main low then shifts further east on Friday...winds should
begin to relax across the region and high pressure will transition
in aloft...allowing for a dry and seasonably warm weekend. Given
the warmer temps this weekend...fire weather concerns will still
be around as while winds will become marginal...relative humidity
values will fall more solidly below 20 percent during the
afternoon hours.
As the upper level ridge then breaks down late in the
weekend...we will begin to see additional cloud cover and the
chance for some intermittent light precip chances across the local
area for the first part of next week with fire weather concerns
finally diminishing around Tuesday.
Just beyond the current forecast...good model agreement with a
potent system ejecting out of the southwest and into the plains
towards the middle of next week...with plenty of time to focus on
this system over the coming days and fine tune thinking as it
should bring a solid shot for some beneficial precip to the
region. In fact...there could even be some snow on the backside of
this system..and the hazard outlook from CPC shows a slight risk
for heavy snow just to our west in the 4/13-4/14 time frame.
&&
.AVIATION...(For the 12Z KGRI/KEAR TAFS through 12Z Thursday)
Issued at 608 AM CDT Wed Apr 6 2022
Prevailing VFR conditions are anticipated through the
period...although far from good conditions are expected at either
terminal. For the early morning hours...expect strong LLWS to
continue for the next several hours as winds near 50 KTS are
being observed just above the inversion layer. As temperatures
then warm a bit by mid to late morning...expect these stronger
winds to mix down to the surface...with wind gusts of 45 to 50 KTS
possible at both terminals this afternoon. At the same
time...could see some quickly passing showers or sprinkles at
either terminal...but VSBYS and CIGS will remain in the VFR range.
While winds will diminish some in the evening and late night
hours today...they will remain strong enough that LLWS is expected
to be less of a concern as it is so far this morning.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 253 AM CDT Wed Apr 6 2022
Fire weather concerns will be fairly widespread across the local
area through the upcoming weekend with periods of near-critical to
critical fire weather conditions possible each afternoon through
at least next Monday. As mentioned in the discussion
above...minimum relative humidity values will be the limiting
factor the next couple of afternoons from preventing more
widespread critical conditions...but as the week rounds out and we
transition into the weekend...winds will become more marginal but
very low relative humidity values will once again become
widespread...and fire weather concerns are anticipated to
continue into the upcoming weekend and possibly early next week.
In the short term...the combination of very strong northwesterly
winds and relative humidity values near 20 percent have prompted
Red Flag warnings for parts of the area both today and
Thursday...but again...ultimately think fire weather concerns will
continue beyond Thursday and through the upcoming weekend.
&&
.GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...High Wind Warning until 8 PM CDT this evening for NEZ039>041-
046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087.
High Wind Warning from 7 AM to 8 PM CDT Thursday for NEZ039>041-
046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087.
Red Flag Warning from 10 AM this morning to 8 PM CDT this
evening for NEZ082.
Red Flag Warning from noon to 8 PM CDT Thursday for NEZ082-083.
KS...High Wind Warning until 8 PM CDT this evening for KSZ005>007-
017>019.
High Wind Warning from 7 AM to 8 PM CDT Thursday for KSZ005>007-
017>019.
Red Flag Warning from 10 AM this morning to 8 PM CDT this
evening for KSZ005>007-017>019.
Red Flag Warning from noon to 8 PM CDT Thursday for KSZ005>007-
017>019.
&&
DISCUSSION...Rossi
AVIATION...Rossi
FIRE WEATHER...RossiHazardous Weather Outlook...CORRECTED National Weather Service Hastings NE 347 AM CDT Wed Apr 6 2022 KSZ005>007-017>019-NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087- 071200- 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- 347 AM CDT Wed Apr 6 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Nebraska and portions of north central Kansas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Very strong, to potentially damaging northwest winds are expected across the outlook area today, especially between the mid-morning and evening hours...with winds gusts as high as 60 MPH. As a result, a High Wind Warning is in effect for the entire forecast area from 7 AM through 8 PM CDT. Please refer to the Warning messages for more details. Due to the combination of very strong winds and marginal relative humidity values, dangerous fire weather conditions are also anticipated today, and a Red Flag warning is in effect for parts of the local area. Please refer to the latest Warning message for additional details. For areas outside the Red Flag Warning...near critical fire weather conditions are anticipated. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Very strong, to potentially damaging northwest winds are expected across the outlook area again Thursday, especially between the mid-morning and evening hours...with winds gusts as high as 65 MPH. As a result, a High Wind Warning is in effect for the entire forecast area from 7 AM through 8 PM CDT Thursday. Please refer to the Warning messages for more details. Due to the combination of very strong winds and marginal relative humidity values, dangerous fire weather conditions are also anticipated Thursday, and a Red Flag warning is in effect for parts of the local area. Please refer to the latest Warning message for additional details. For areas outside the Red Flag Warning...near critical fire weather conditions are anticipated. Beyond Thursday...multiple days with near-critical to critical fire weather conditions will also be possible across at least parts of the local area Friday through Monday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight, but any reports of wind damage or possible wildfires would be appreciated. && More information may be obtained at the following web page: https://www.weather.gov/hastings Rossi
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
819 AM CDT WED APR 6 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0626 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 8 NNE PALMER 41.33N 98.13W
04/06/2022 M53 MPH NANCE NE MESONET
&&
THIESPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
820 AM CDT WED APR 6 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0600 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 9 WNW GENOA 41.49N 97.89W
04/06/2022 M51 MPH NANCE NE MESONET
&&
THIESPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
857 AM CDT WED APR 6 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0853 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 1 NW ORD 41.62N 98.95W
04/06/2022 M52 MPH VALLEY NE ASOS
ASOS STATION KODX ORD AIRPORT.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
934 AM CDT WED APR 6 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0923 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 2 NNE NORMAN 40.50N 98.78W
04/06/2022 M52 MPH KEARNEY NE MESONET
DAVIS WEATHERLINK STATION.
&&
MANGELSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
940 AM CDT WED APR 6 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0928 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 1 NNE COZAD 40.87N 99.98W
04/06/2022 M56 MPH DAWSON NE MESONET
DAVIS WEATHERLINK SITE.
&&
MANGELSThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
4 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Along with periods of sustained northwesterly speeds near 40 MPH, stronger gusts also occurred. The peak measured gust by the Phillipsburg Airport AWOS was 58 MPH, at 3:15 PM CDT.
Along with periods of sustained northwesterly speeds near 40 MPH, stronger gusts of 50-60 MPH also likely occurred, based on surrounding area observations.
Along with periods of sustained northwesterly speeds near 40 MPH, stronger gusts of 50-60 MPH also likely occurred, based on surrounding area observations.
Along with periods of sustained northwesterly speeds near 40 MPH, stronger gusts of 50-60 MPH also likely occurred, based on surrounding area observations.
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: 1012003, 1012004, 1012005, 1012006.