Scattered severe storms affected the region during the overnight into the morning hours of May 15th, 2022. 5 inches in diameter were noted.
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 ICT wrote it up.
Scattered severe storms affected the region during the overnight into the morning hours of May 15th, 2022. Most of the severe events were around one inch, however a few hail stone reports up to 1.5 inches in diameter were noted.
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 Wichita, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 14, 5:23 PM CST, 5 hours 12 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 623 PM CDT Sat May 14 2022 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Sunday) Issued at 324 PM CDT Sat May 14 2022 FORECAST HIGHLIGHTS THE NEXT 7 DAYS: * Widely scattered thunderstorms late this afternoon-evening across mainly central and south-central Kansas. * Thunderstorm chances late tonight across northern/northeast Kansas, shifting into eastern Kansas Sunday. * Periodic off-and-on storm chances Monday night through next week. LATE THIS AFTERNOON-EVENING...Mass convergence in vicinity of a cold front approaching from the northwest and a lee trough/dryline approaching from the west will likely support widely scattered thunderstorm development this afternoon across western Kansas. This is supported by trends in 1-minute satellite data, regional radar mosaic, along with the short-term hi-res model consensus. Thinking this activity will then progress slowly east/southeast into central and south-central Kansas, primarily west of I-135 between about 6pm and midnight. Despite poor moisture quality (evidenced by dewpoints mixing out some this afternoon), steep lapse rates and strong heating will support adequate instability, with effective deep layer shear (good directional shear) favorable for a few strong to severe thunderstorms, with the greatest severe chances generally west of Highway 14. Decent directional deep-layer shear and downdraft CAPE will support isolated large hail and damaging wind occurrences as the main threats (dime to half-dollar size and 65 mph winds). Little to no low-level flow/shear will keep the tornado threat low. LATE TONIGHT-SUNDAY...Strong 850-700mb warm/moist advection ahead of stout shortwave energy approaching from the northwest will support decent chances for scattered to numerous thunderstorms late tonight into Sunday morning across Nebraska and northeast Kansas, gradually shifting into far eastern Kansas and Missouri for Sunday midday through afternoon. Favorable combination of instability and strong deep layer shear will support strong to severe storms, with large hail and damaging winds the primary threats. Thinking this activity will graze Wichita's far northeast/east counties, with the highest chances generally east/northeast of a line extending from Salina to Cottonwood Falls to Sedan. Timing of the severe threat is low confidence. If storms congeal and develop a massive cold pool, the outflow boundary and associated severe threat will likely push south/southeast of the area quicker than expected into southern Missouri and Oklahoma by peak heating. However, if the storm- generated cold pool proves weaker and the outflow moves a bit slower, far southeast Kansas could be under the gun for a higher-end wind/hail threat Sunday midday through afternoon. Stay tuned. .LONG TERM...(Sunday Evening through Saturday) Issued at 324 PM CDT Sat May 14 2022 After quiet weather Sunday evening through Monday evening, global model consensus supports periodic off-and-on storm chances Monday night through late next week, as a pair of shortwaves traverses Mid- America, and the frontal zone lifts back north across the forecast area. Best storm chances during this period will likely be during the late afternoon-evening through early morning time. While instability should be sufficient for stout updrafts, overall mid- upper flow and associated deep layer shear will likely be modest at best. Consequently, while a handful of strong to severe storms are possible during this period, the threat for widespread and/or higher- end severe weather appears low at this time. Toward next Friday- Saturday, model consensus deepens a western/central CONUS trough, with an associated strong frontal zone oozing into Mid-America. This setup could increase thunderstorm chances across the region again, although finer details remain sketchy this far out...stay tuned. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Sunday evening) Issued at 616 PM CDT Sat May 14 2022 Most areas of the region will remain VFR for most of the TAF period. There will be some thunderstorm activity in the KGBD and KRSL areas for the first four to six hours of the TAF period. Some of this activity could be locally strong or severe. KGBD will have the best chance for the thunderstorm activity. KSLN and KHUT may see some thunderstorm activity later tonight and again toward dawn. KCNU may also have some thunder during the morning hours as well. By 17Z, thunderstorms are expected to push off and exit the region and allow VFR conditions to return to all terminals. Metzger && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Wichita-KICT 64 85 55 80 / 20 20 0 0 Hutchinson 62 82 52 80 / 20 10 0 0 Newton 63 81 53 79 / 20 20 0 0 ElDorado 64 82 54 78 / 20 30 0 0 Winfield-KWLD 64 87 54 79 / 20 30 0 0 Russell 57 79 50 82 / 60 10 0 0 Great Bend 59 80 50 82 / 40 10 0 0 Salina 60 78 51 82 / 30 20 0 0 McPherson 61 80 51 80 / 20 20 0 0 Coffeyville 64 84 55 79 / 10 50 10 0 Chanute 64 82 55 78 / 20 50 10 0 Iola 64 80 54 78 / 20 50 10 0 Parsons-KPPF 64 82 55 79 / 10 50 10 0 && .ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...ADK LONG TERM...ADK AVIATION...ELM
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wichita KS 1025 PM CDT Sat May 14 2022 KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-160330- Russell-Lincoln-Barton-Ellsworth-Saline-Rice-McPherson-Marion-Chase- Reno-Harvey-Butler-Greenwood-Woodson-Allen-Kingman-Sedgwick-Harper- Sumner-Cowley-Elk-Wilson-Neosho-Chautauqua-Montgomery-Labette- 1025 PM CDT Sat May 14 2022 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of Central Kansas, South Central Kansas and Southeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...Tonight Isolated thunderstorms will remain possible across central and south central Kansas until about 1 am. A strong storm with gusty winds and small hail will be possible. Additional thunderstorms are expected to develop late tonight across northern and northeast Kansas, mainly northeast of Lincoln to Salina to Cottonwood Falls. Storm motion will be to the southeast. The primary threats will be dime to quarter size hail and 65 mph winds. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected Sunday morning through early to mid-afternoon across northeast and eastern Kansas, mainly along and east of the Flint Hills. Storm motion will be to the southeast. Large hail and damaging winds will be the primary threats. Periodic off-and-on thunderstorm chances are expected Monday night through next week. While widespread severe weather appears unlikely during this period, a handful of strong to severe storms are possible. Stay tuned for later forecasts as details become clearer. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated tonight. && For a graphical version of this information, see our webpage at: https://weather.gov/crh/ghwo?sid=ict
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
537 PM CDT Sat May 14 2022
KSZ032-142300-
Russell KS-
537 PM CDT Sat May 14 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Russell
County through 600 PM CDT...
At 536 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles south of Natoma, or 9 miles northeast of Emmeram, moving east
at 15 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.
Locations impacted include...
Paradise and Waldo.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3913 9904 3913 9878 3898 9878 3896 9904
TIME...MOT...LOC 2236Z 256DEG 14KT 3907 9902
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DARMOFALSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
619 PM CDT Sat May 14 2022
KSZ047-150000-
Barton KS-
619 PM CDT Sat May 14 2022
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of western Barton County
through 700 PM CDT...
At 618 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Otis to near Larned. Movement was east-
southeast 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.
Locations impacted include...
Great Bend, Hoisington, Pawnee Rock, Albert, Olmitz, Great Bend
Airport and Cheyenne Bottoms.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
central Kansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3863 9903 3859 9861 3826 9867 3826 9903
TIME...MOT...LOC 2318Z 281DEG 28KT 3856 9905 3823 9913
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DARMOFALSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
715 PM CDT Sat May 14 2022
KSZ047-150100-
Barton KS-
715 PM CDT Sat May 14 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of western Barton
County through 800 PM CDT...
At 714 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm just
north of Shaffer, moving east at 30 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.
Locations impacted include...
Great Bend, Hoisington, Albert and Olmitz.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
central Kansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3859 9903 3862 9870 3834 9872 3838 9903
TIME...MOT...LOC 0014Z 268DEG 28KT 3849 9909
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DARMOFALSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
1008 PM CDT Sat May 14 2022
KSZ091-150345-
Harper KS-
1008 PM CDT Sat May 14 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Harper
County through 1045 PM CDT...
At 1007 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
just south of Attica, moving east-southeast at 25 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.
Locations impacted include...
Anthony, Attica, Bluff City, Waldron and Corwin.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
south central Kansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3700 9835 3727 9835 3716 9780 3700 9780
TIME...MOT...LOC 0307Z 290DEG 23KT 3719 9820
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DARMOFALSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
1121 PM CDT Sat May 14 2022
KSZ083-092-150445-
Sumner KS-Sedgwick KS-
1121 PM CDT Sat May 14 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Sedgwick and northeastern Sumner Counties through 1145 PM CDT...
At 1120 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
between Haysville and Clearwater, moving east-northeast at 15 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.
Locations impacted include...
Derby, Andover, Haysville, Mulvane, Rose Hill, Mcconnell Air Force
Base, South Wichita and Oaklawn.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 135 between Mile Markers 0 and 3.
Interstate 35 between Mile Markers 31 and 47, and near Mile Marker
51.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3745 9745 3760 9748 3769 9715 3743 9715
TIME...MOT...LOC 0420Z 246DEG 13KT 3752 9740
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DARMOFALThe Wichita radar (KICT), 12 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 04:36 UTC.
15 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Most of the hail was quarter size, however, a few the size of a ping pong ball were reported.
The hail size varied between pea to quarter sized hail. This report was relayed via social media.
Most of the hail stones were quarter size, however, a few were slightly larger up to a half dollar size.
This report was relayed via mPING.
This report was relayed via social media.
Hail was reported to be covering the ground.
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, May 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: 1026160, 1026161, 1026162, 1026163, 1026164, 1026165, 1026166, 1026167, 1026168, 1026169, 1026170, 1026171, 1026172, 1026173, 1026174.