Hail and Damaging Winds in Kansas, May 11, 2022

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Kansas, May 11, 2022
Start: 2022-05-11T17:00
End: 2022-05-11T20:20
Location: Kansas

May 11, 2022 · NWS GLD · 5 events in 4 counties and zones

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: $37,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 5

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 GLD wrote it up.

During the mid to late afternoon hours, scattered storms developed initially over Greeley and Wichita counties, then continued to form to the northeast across Northwest Kansas into Norton County. These storms produced hail up to quarters in size across portions of Greeley, Logan, and Thomas counties. As the storms began to decay, outflow produced high wind gusts up to 95 mph with damage in and near the town of Norcatur, KS in Decatur County.

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 Goodland, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 11, 2:35 PM CST, 2 hours 25 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 11, 2:35 PM CST, 2 hours 25 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Goodland KS
235 PM MDT Wed May 11 2022

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday)
Issued at 235 PM MDT Wed May 11 2022

Tonight...at 500mb low pressure was forecast to reside near Las
Vegas with southwest flow ahead of it. A narrow stripe of moisture
in the 700-500mb layer is expected to lift north-northeast out of
New Mexico and into the eastern 1/3 of the forecast area this
evening supporting some strong to potentially severe thunderstorms.
Dry conditions are expected by midnight. Low temperatures are
expected to range from the middle to upper 50s in far eastern
Colorado to the lower to upper 60s east of the CO/KS border. Breezy
to windy southerly winds are expected through the night.

Thursday-Thursday night...the upper low center is expected to take
on a negative tilt while lifting northeast into Wyoming by
afternoon, continuing northeast toward southeast Montana by the end
of the day then toward north central North Dakota overnight. At the
surface, breezy to windy conditions will continue through the day,
decreasing quickly after midnight. High temperatures are expected to
range from the upper 70s to middle 80s in far eastern Colorado to
the upper 80s to middle 90s along and east of the CO/KS border. Low
temperatures fall into the lower 40s to lower 50s. There will be a
threat for strong to potentially severe thunderstorms in the early
afternoon through evening hours generally east of a line from McCook
to Hill City.

Friday-Friday night...surface high pressure resides over the area in
the morning allowing for rather light winds. In the afternoon the
surface high slowly moves east allowing for some strong southerly
winds across far eastern Colorado. The upper level flow becomes
zonal and with a lack of appreciable moisture in the atmosphere dry
conditions are currently expected. High temperatures are forecast to
reach the middle 70s to lower 80s with low temperatures in the
middle 40s to lower 50s.

Saturday...the upper level flow shifts slightly to the northwest
with a bit better moisture profile in the 700-500mb level. However,
at this time it looks to be dry. High temperatures are expected to
be in the upper 70s to middle 80s.

.LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Wednesday)
Issued at 130 PM MDT Wed May 11 2022

An upper ridge will be over the central CONUS through the long
term period. However, a series of weak shortwave troughs will
move through the ridge axis, resulting in occasional chances for
showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures will be above normal
throughout the period, with highs generally in the 80s and lows in
the 40s and 50s. Thunderstorm chances will occur each afternoon
and evening beginning on Monday and continuing through Wednesday.
Due to the weak overall forcing, coverage should be fairly
limited. However, instability and shear parameters appear to be
sufficient for at least a marginal risk for severe storms should
any develop.

Elevated to near critical fire weather conditions will continue to
be a daily concern in the long term period, with lowest afternoon
humidity in northeast Colorado and near the Colorado/Kansas
border area. Breezy southeast winds are forecast to develop on
Monday and persist through Wednesday.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Thursday afternoon)
Issued at 1100 AM MDT Wed May 11 2022

KGLD...VFR conditions are expected through the period. Southwest
winds gusting up to 35kts are expected through this afternoon with
winds backing to the south by 00z with gusts continuing to 35kts
tonight. For Thursday morning expect southwest winds gusting up to
30kts. There is very low confidence in thunderstorms impacting the
terminal around 00z.

KMCK...VFR conditions are expected through the period. Southeast
winds gusting up to 25kts at taf issuance are expected to veer to
the south-southwest this afternoon with gusts continuing up to
30kts. For tonight, south to south-southwest winds continue to
gust up to 30kts. For Thursday morning expect south-southwest
winds gusting up to 30kts. There is very low confidence in
thunderstorms impacting the terminal in the 00z-03z timeframe.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Issued at 235 PM MDT Wed May 11 2022

Record and near record high temperatures are expected at the
following locations today:

Hill City........96 degrees set back in 1962
Burlington.......93 degrees set back in 1963
Colby............92 degrees set back in 2005
Yuma.............95 degrees set back in 1962

&&

.GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KS...Red Flag Warning from 10 AM MDT /11 AM CDT/ to 9 PM MDT /10 PM
     CDT/ Thursday for KSZ001-002-013-014-027-028-041-042.

     Red Flag Warning until 9 PM MDT /10 PM CDT/ this evening for
     KSZ001-013-027.

CO...Red Flag Warning from 10 AM to 9 PM MDT Thursday for COZ252>254.

     Red Flag Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for COZ252>254.

NE...Red Flag Warning from 10 AM MDT /11 AM CDT/ to 9 PM MDT /10 PM
     CDT/ Thursday for NEZ079-080.

     Red Flag Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for NEZ079.

&&

SHORT TERM...99
LONG TERM...024
AVIATION...99
CLIMATE...99

Hazardous weather outlook, May 11, 3:57 PM CST, 1 hour 3 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Goodland KS
357 PM MDT Wed May 11 2022

COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-122200-
Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Rawlins-Decatur-Norton-Sherman-Thomas-
Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock-
Red Willow-
357 PM MDT Wed May 11 2022 /457 PM CDT Wed May 11 2022/

This hazardous weather outlook is for extreme southwest Nebraska...
northwest Kansas and east central Colorado.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT...

A Red Flag warning remains in effect this afternoon for portions of
the area, mainly in eastern Colorado and adjacent Kansas border
counties.

An isolated severe thunderstorm is possible late this afternoon and
evening, mainly along and east of a line from Tribune to Oakley to
Norton. Brief instances of damaging wind are the primary hazard.

Wildfire smoke originating from north central New Mexico may impact
areas generally west of a line from Leoti to Norton overnight. Air
quality will be unhealthy for sensitive groups.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

Isolated severe storms are possible during the afternoon and evening
hours on Thursday, mainly east of a line from McCook, Nebraska to
Gove, Kansas. Large hail and damaging winds are the primary hazards.

A Fire Weather Watch is in effect on Thursday, mainly west of a line
from Hitchcock county Nebraska to Logan county Kansas.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report any severe or significant weather
to the National Weather Service in Goodland via social media or
telephone.

Vincent

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 11, 4:16 PM CST, 44 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
516 PM CDT Wed May 11 2022

KSZ028-042-112230-
Wichita KS-Logan KS-
516 PM CDT Wed May 11 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Wichita
and south central Logan Counties through 530 PM CDT...

At 515 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles north of Leoti, moving northeast at 45 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 storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northwestern
Wichita and south central Logan Counties.

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.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Goodland.

&&

LAT...LON 3855 10139 3862 10149 3883 10128 3875 10111
TIME...MOT...LOC 2215Z 216DEG 39KT 3865 10138

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

Trigg

Special weather statement, May 11, 4:29 PM CST, 31 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
529 PM CDT Wed May 11 2022

KSZ028-042-112245-
Wichita KS-Logan KS-
529 PM CDT Wed May 11 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central
Wichita and southwestern Logan Counties through 545 PM CDT...

At 529 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 15
miles north of Leoti, moving northeast at 30 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 storm will remain over mainly rural areas of north central
Wichita and southwestern Logan Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Goodland.

&&

LAT...LON 3859 10135 3865 10146 3890 10129 3878 10106
TIME...MOT...LOC 2229Z 219DEG 27KT 3871 10132

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

Trigg

Special weather statement, May 11, 4:49 PM CST, 11 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
549 PM CDT Wed May 11 2022

KSZ028-112300-
Logan KS-
549 PM CDT Wed May 11 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Logan
County through 600 PM CDT...

At 549 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles south of Russell Springs, or 16 miles west of Scott State Lake,
moving northeast at 45 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...
  Russell Springs around 600 PM CDT.

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.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Goodland.

&&

LAT...LON 3875 10133 3903 10115 3886 10088 3870 10118
      3870 10125
TIME...MOT...LOC 2249Z 218DEG 40KT 3876 10122

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

Trigg

The radar

The Goodland radar (KGLD), 68 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:59 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 hail, 2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Logan

When: May 11, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Logan County, 0.83 mi SSW of Russell Spgs
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 38.910, -101.178

Dime to penny sized hail observed.

Hail, Greeley

When: May 11, 4:38 PM MST to 4:41 PM MST
Where: Greeley County, Tribune
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 38.470, -101.750

Pea to quarter sized hail fell over a duration of three minutes in the city of Tribune, Kansas.

Hail, Thomas

When: May 11, 7:10 PM CST
Where: Thomas County, 3.1 mi NNW of Altair
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.359, -101.008

Thunderstorm Wind, Decatur

When: May 11, 8:15 PM CST
Where: Decatur County, 2.05 mi NNW of Norcatur
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $35,000
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 39.857, -100.196

A 32 foot south facing cattle shed was torn off its anchors and rolled several yards across the property. The strong winds were produced along the outflow of a decaying thunderstorm moving over the Norcatur, KS area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Decatur

When: May 11, 8:20 PM CST
Where: Decatur County, 0.7 mi NW of Norcatur
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 39.838, -100.188

Large, rotted tree limbs were down in front of a home with another rotted tree snapped near the base on the side of the property. The strong winds were produced along the outflow of a decaying thunderstorm moving over the Norcatur, KS area.

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 2022 Every state in 2022 This day in weather history Warnings in Kansas, May 2022

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: 1025325, 1025362, 1025366, 1025569, 1025570.