During the early morning hours of June 12th, decaying thunderstorms in northwestern Kansas allowed for a heat burst to occur in the region. While the heat burst caused temperatures to jump by 10+ degrees and relative humidity values to drop suddenly in some locations, it also produced wind gusts up to 77 mph.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 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 GLD wrote it up.
During the early morning hours of June 12th, decaying thunderstorms in northwestern Kansas allowed for a heat burst to occur in the region. While the heat burst caused temperatures to jump by 10+ degrees and relative humidity values to drop suddenly in some locations, it also produced wind gusts up to 77 mph.
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 Jun 12, 2:06 AM CST, 1 hour 24 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Goodland KS 206 AM MDT Sun Jun 12 2022 .UPDATE... Issued at 820 PM MDT Sat Jun 11 2022 Somewhat complex forecast update for the remainder of tonight. Thunderstorms just west of the forecast area have fallen apart once they enter the forecast area. One storm west of the area had a wind gust to 49 mph. The 00z NAM has a 700mb theta-e axis north of the interstate at present time which is where storms are approaching from the west. DCAPE values in this area around 1500 J/KG supporting damaging wind gusts. By 06z the NAM has about 2K Joules of CAPE at 2km with no CIN over far eastern Colorado with the instability axis is flowing into it from the east. Both it and the HRRR show precipitation developing or moving in from the west. As this area of instability moves east and along I-70 by 09z DCAPE values increase somewhat with both NAM/HRRR showing a small MCS type feature with potentially damaging wind gusts the primary hazard. By 12z, this feature should be out of the area. HRRR wind gusts from the latest 01z run are a bit lower compared to the 00z run but still suggest gusts up to 70 mph or so. HRRR also continuing to show a heat burst signature featuring temperatures just ahead of the stronger wind gusts reaching the lower 90s with relative humidity falling into the 15 to 20 percent range. The timing of this potential heat burst is similar to climatology for the area. So for the update I've started with extending the slight chance pops, following the NAM and HRRR to an extent. Once confidence increases in the event underway pops would be increased. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Tuesday) Issued at 225 PM MDT Sat Jun 11 2022 Upper ridge centered over the southern plains today will gradually shift eastward on Sunday and Monday with a southwesterly flow aloft through Tuesday. Embedded shortwaves will support a chance for thunderstorms Sunday afternoon and evening, and once again Tuesday evening. Temperatures will be much above normal through the period with record high temperatures possible each day. First chances for thunderstorms will be on Sunday. Appears storms will initiate along subtle surface convergence boundary which will separate dew points in the 50s to the north from the 30s and 40s to the south. It will lie roughly along a Yuma to Russell Springs line at 20-21z when models forecast initiation to occur. Storms will then move northeast through the afternoon and evening, exiting the area around 03z Sunday night. Environment is forecast to be moderately unstable northeast of the boundary with deep layer shear of around 35 kts. Models suggest discrete cells initially will quickly form into a cluster as they move northeast. SPC has Slight Risk across the area which seems reasonable in this set up. Wind and hail will be the main hazards, with deep layer shear limiting potential for supercells/tornadoes. High temperatures will once again top out around 100 and lows Sunday night in the 60s to lower 70s. Monday will be hot, breezy and dry, although cannot totally rule out an isolated high based storm in the afternoon that produces little if any precipitation. Breezy to windy southwest winds gusting to around 45 mph will introduce additional downslope warming to an already hot set up, and record breaking temperatures well into the 100s are expected, might see a few locations in typically hot areas around Hill City reach 110. Apparent temperatures will be a bit less with low humidity, topping out in the 90s in western areas and lower 100s in eastern areas, where a heat advisory may be needed. Cold front will move through late Monday night with winds shifting to northwest. Low temperatures will range from the upper 50s behind the front in Colorado to the middle 70s ahead of it in north central Kansas. Front should make its way through the entire forecast area by Tuesday morning, but stall out in southern areas midday before trying to retreat northward Tuesday afternoon. Will get a break from the extreme heat on Tuesday, but still see highs ranging from the upper 80s in Colorado to the upper 90s around Hill City. Upper trough will swing through Tuesday night with best chances for showers and thunderstorms north of Interstate 70 where stationary front may be located. Deep layer shear will be quite strong, perhaps too strong as instability is forecast to be weak and limited to a narrow area along/north of the front. As a result, severe risk appears to be fairly low. Low temperatures Tuesday night will range from the upper 40s to upper 50s, slightly below normal. .LONG TERM...(Wednesday through Sunday) Issued at 201 AM MDT Sun Jun 12 2022 The GFS and ECMWF models are showing Wednesday being near normal with a warming trend following from Thursday through the weekend. Wednesday morning could see some lingering showers but will clear out by noon. Conditions look to remain dry through the weekend after that chance of precipitation. The trough that could bring rain Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning will move off to the east as the low pressure system in Manitoba, Canada heads towards the Great Lakes region. A zonal flow will enter the region as the trough moves east. Around 12Z Friday, a ridge will begin moving into the CWA from the west which will help fuel the rise in temperatures through Sunday. Temperatures over next weekend are expected to be in the 90s and 100s with lows being in the 60s to 70s. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Sunday night) Issued at 1005 PM MDT Sat Jun 11 2022 KGLD...VFR conditions are expected through the period. Winds will be all over the compass for the next 24 hours. Tonight, south to southwest winds up to 10kts are expected. On Sunday, winds should begin the day from the west up to 10kts, veering to the northwest, northeast, east then southeast through the afternoon at speeds possibility approaching 12kts. For tomorrow evening, winds remain from the southeast generally around 12kts. Cant rule out thunderstorms around the terminal from 07z-09z with the primary hazard being wind gusts up to 45kts or so. KMCK...VFR conditions are expected through the period. Light and variable winds are expected overnight. On Sunday, northeast winds up to 10kts in the morning should veer to the east then southeast through the afternoon at similar speeds. For Sunday evening, east winds up to 10kts are expected. No precipitation is expected at this time. There is a slight chance of a thunderstorms around 09z then again tomorrow afternoon and evening. Confidence is too low to include a mention in the taf at this time. && .GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KS...NONE. CO...NONE. NE...NONE. && UPDATE...99 SHORT TERM...024 LONG TERM...CA AVIATION...99
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Goodland KS 710 PM MDT Sat Jun 11 2022 COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-121200- Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Rawlins-Decatur-Norton-Sherman-Thomas- Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock- Red Willow- 710 PM MDT Sat Jun 11 2022 /810 PM CDT Sat Jun 11 2022/ This hazardous weather outlook is for extreme southwest Nebraska... northwest Kansas and east central Colorado. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT... Isolated thunderstorms are anticipated in far eastern Colorado through sunset, moving east into extreme southwest Nebraska and northwest Kansas through about midnight MDT (1 AM CDT). The primary hazard at this time will be damaging outflow wind gusts. These wind gusts may also produce a sudden increase in temperature and rapid decrease in relative humidity, also known as a heat burst. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH SATURDAY... Heat indices will be at or a few degrees above 100 degrees east of Highway 83 for Sunday and Monday afternoons. Sunday isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be possible across the Tri- State Region during the afternoon and evening, with some possibly becoming severe. Quarter size hail and damaging wind gusts will be the main threats with these storms. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1143 PM MDT Sat Jun 11 2022
COZ091-092-120615-
Kit Carson County CO-Cheyenne County CO-
1143 PM MDT Sat Jun 11 2022
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northeastern Cheyenne
and eastern Kit Carson Counties in east central Colorado through 1215
AM MDT...
At 1143 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 10 miles north of Bethune to 9 miles north of
Cheyenne Wells. Movement was east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny 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.
These storms will remain over mainly rural areas of northeastern
Cheyenne and eastern Kit Carson Counties in east central Colorado.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 70 in Colorado between mile markers 426 and 450.
Highway 385 between mile markers 155 and 206, and near mile marker
211.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3953 10249 3957 10219 3957 10205 3886 10205
3887 10248
TIME...MOT...LOC 0543Z 269DEG 27KT 3946 10240 3895 10240
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
KAKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1210 AM MDT Sun Jun 12 2022
COZ091-KSZ013-120630-
Kit Carson County CO-Sherman KS-
1210 AM MDT Sun Jun 12 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Kit
Carson and western Sherman Counties through 1230 AM MDT...
At 1206 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles south of Kanorado, moving east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and penny 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...
Ruleton around 1220 AM MDT.
Other locations in the path of this storm include Goodland.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 70 in Kansas between mile markers 0 and 17.
Interstate 70 in Colorado between mile markers 440 and 450.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3946 10224 3948 10174 3913 10170 3913 10205
3912 10223
TIME...MOT...LOC 0606Z 260DEG 35KT 3928 10206
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
JRMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1211 AM MDT Sun Jun 12 2022
COZ091-092-KSZ027-120630-
Kit Carson County CO-Cheyenne County CO-Wallace KS-
1211 AM MDT Sun Jun 12 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern
Cheyenne, southeastern Kit Carson Counties in east central Colorado
and northwestern Wallace Counties in west central Kansas through 1230
AM MDT...
At 1210 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles northwest of Weskan, or 18 miles northeast of Cheyenne Wells,
moving east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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 northeastern
Cheyenne, southeastern Kit Carson Counties in east central Colorado
and northwestern Wallace Counties in west central Kansas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3890 10220 3912 10228 3914 10203 3913 10195
3893 10189
TIME...MOT...LOC 0610Z 258DEG 35KT 3902 10212
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
JRMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1257 AM MDT Sun Jun 12 2022
KSZ013-014-120730-
Thomas KS-Sherman KS-
1257 AM MDT Sun Jun 12 2022
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of western Thomas and
Sherman Counties through 130 AM MDT/230 AM CDT/...
At 1257 AM MDT/157 AM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 6 miles north of Goodland
to 14 miles southwest of Brewster to 14 miles south of Ruleton.
Movement was east at 45 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.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Brewster around 215 AM CDT.
Other locations in the path of these storms include Levant.
This includes Interstate 70 in Kansas between mile markers 13 and 47.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3914 10192 3927 10183 3954 10179 3957 10117
3928 10118 3913 10126
TIME...MOT...LOC 0657Z 258DEG 39KT 3944 10169 3926 10162 3913 10182
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
JRMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
144 AM MDT Sun Jun 12 2022
KSZ013-014-120815-
Thomas KS-Sherman KS-
144 AM MDT Sun Jun 12 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Thomas
and southeastern Sherman Counties through 215 AM MDT/315 AM CDT/...
At 144 AM MDT/244 AM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm 6 miles southwest of Brewster, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Brewster around 255 AM CDT.
Other locations in the path of this storm include Levant.
This includes Interstate 70 in Kansas between mile markers 23 and 50.
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 3921 10152 3936 10166 3954 10114 3926 10111
TIME...MOT...LOC 0744Z 250DEG 29KT 3932 10148
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
JRMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
228 AM MDT Sun Jun 12 2022
KSZ013-014-027-028-120900-
Wallace KS-Thomas KS-Logan KS-Sherman KS-
228 AM MDT Sun Jun 12 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern
Wallace, southwestern Thomas, northwestern Logan and southeastern
Sherman Counties through 300 AM MDT/400 AM CDT/...
At 228 AM MDT/328 AM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm 12 miles south of Goodland, moving east at 35 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 storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northeastern
Wallace, southwestern Thomas, northwestern Logan and southeastern
Sherman Counties.
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.
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 3907 10178 3925 10179 3932 10124 3905 10122
TIME...MOT...LOC 0828Z 266DEG 31KT 3917 10166
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
JRMThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Mesonet stations located 2 miles north of Atwood recorded non-thunderstorm wind gusts up ranging between 63 and 77 mph due to a heat burst.
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, June 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: 1038359.