A few storms moved through far western Kansas in the early evening across far western Kansas.
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 DDC wrote it up.
A few storms moved through far western Kansas in the early evening across far western Kansas.
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 Dodge City, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 13, 4:27 PM CST, 1 hour 18 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Dodge City KS 527 PM CDT Thu Apr 13 2023 ...Updated Aviation... .SHORT TERM...(This afternoon through Friday night) Issued at 1200 PM CDT Thu Apr 13 2023 Midday satellite imagery revealed a clear sky continuing over SW KS, but mid and high clouds were approaching the CO/KS border, as stronger SWly midlevel flow approaches from the west. Temperatures will again soar this afternoon, through the 80s to near 90, with full sunshine and no change in thermal fields from Wednesday. Strong cyclogenesis will proceed as scheduled over northeast Colorado through this afternoon, with south winds getting progressively stronger through late afternoon and early evening. Gusts of 40-50 mph will be common by late afternoon, especially northwest and west of Dodge City. Most winds outside of convection should remain below high wind criteria. 12z NAM and assorted CAMs continue to suggest at least isolated high based convection developing along the convergent trough/diffuse dryline axis along the CO/KS border in the 4-7 pm time frame. Any updrafts will be developing in a hot, well mixed atmosphere with inverted-V profiles strongly supporting outflow wind gusts of 60-70 mph. Marginal 5% wind probabilities from SPC continue, with the threat expected to focus west of US 83 through early evening before rapidly dissipating around sunset. Most locations will remain dry. Even where storms form, much of the rain will be lost to virga, thus the very low probability of measurable rain. Far western counties are highly prone to dust generation, especially in an environment where outflows are amplified by the already strong ambient gradient winds. Will need to monitor for dust headlines on a nowcast basis, especially if outflows combine and show organization. South winds will remain quite strong tonight, in response to another low level jet and efficient mixing. An increase in mid and high cloud cover is also expected, and between the clouds and the winds, temperatures will hold again in the 50s for most locations through sunrise Friday. Winds will veer more SWly and diminish somewhat through 7 am Friday, as low pressure advances east into northwest Kansas. Temperature forecast for Friday is complicated, and prone to major temperature busts at any one location, as a sharp cold front advances south through SW KS. 12z NAM timing appears reasonable, with the cold front entering the northwest zones around noon, DDC around 4 pm, and reaching Liberal by 7 pm. Assumed this timing in the grids, which resulting in a temperature gradient of 60s northwest to 90s southeast at 4 pm. Downslope compression will be maintained the longest in the favored Red Hills, where lower to even mid 90s seem probable given the parched soils. Models have displayed continuity with the primary surface low over the southeast zones at peak heating, with the cold front/dryline triple point probably in or near Barber county. 12z NAM forecast MU CAPE as high as 3000 J/kg over eastern Barber county at 4 pm Friday. A brief period of convection operations is possible for the far east/southeast zones Friday 4-10 pm. Vast majority of severe convection will be east of DDC CWA, per SPC Day 2. Strong cold front will easily clear the Oklahoma border before midnight, followed by strong northwest winds and intense cold advection through Saturday morning. 12z NAM/GFS both crash 850 mb temperatures to near 0C by 7 am Saturday. Air temperatures will fall easily well down into the 30s, with wind chills in the 20-25 range. Friday night continues to be our one window of opportunity for some desperately needed rain showers. Unfortunately, model agreement is very poor in this regard. ECMWF solutions continue to be the wettest (still favoring the northern zones with 0.10-0.20 inch QPF). 12z NAM only has drizzle and stratus north, and 12z GFS is completely dry for all zones at least through 7 am Saturday. With an open progressive trough expected, and our track record over the past 6 months, continue to favor the drier solutions, and will lean towards keeping pops for measurable rain as low as possible. Keep expectations low. Update: new 12z ECMWF finally has trended drier, and reduced pops significantly, especially southern zones. Best opportunity for up to 0.10 inch of rain early Saturday will be the far northern zones along and north of K-96, as seen by WPC QPF guidance. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday) Issued at 200 PM CDT Thu Apr 13 2023 Dramatically colder weather is expected Saturday, with all guidance continuing to trend colder. Sharp trough axis near Denver 7 am Saturday will pivot east to near Wichita 7 pm Saturday, ushering in a much colder airmass. All models have trended down 850 mb temperatures to the -2C to +2C range, which will force temperatures to struggle through the 40s in the afternoon. NBM was too warm, and trimmed it down several degrees, but the forecast is still warmer than much guidance. Cloud cover and a few scattered rain showers will work against insolation, and strong northwest winds gusting near 40 mph will add to the chill. A clearing sky and diminishing wind is expected Saturday night, setting the stage for frost/freeze concerns Sunday morning. Moderately strong surface high remains progged to sink due south down the high plains through sunrise Sunday, allowing for strong radiational cooling and air temperatures in the upper 20s across most northwest zones. Across remaining zones, several hours near 32 appear probable, and frost/freeze headlines will need to be considered where the freeze headline program begins April 16th (Sunday). Sunday through Tuesday will be dry with a very rapid warming trend. 12z ECMWF and its ensembles suggest zonal flow will encourage dryline development by Tuesday, with unseasonably warm afternoon temperatures well into the 80s returning. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Friday evening) Issued at 527 PM CDT Thu Apr 13 2023 Radar imagery at 2220z depicted the expected line of very high based convection from near Syracuse to near EHA. Outflow winds to near 50 kts and blowing dust are likely from this activity, but there is high uncertainty regarding whether the activity will reach GCK/LBL, as CAMs suggest the line will dissipate rapidly 00-03z. Opted to leave out of the TAFs for now and will monitor. Intense south winds outside of convection, gusting currently to near 40 kts, will only diminish slightly after sunset, remaining elevated and gusty overnight courtesy of another low level jet. Maintained low level wind shear in all TAFs after 06z Fri. After 15z Fri, south winds will trend SWly with gusts of 25-30 kts. A strong cold front passage is expected near the end of this TAF cycle, with an abrupt shift to strong north winds. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 128 PM CDT Thu Apr 13 2023 1 pm observations show Johnson and Syracuse have reached red flag criteria. Critical fire danger will expand across the western zones through sunset, as south winds increase, with relative humidity at or below 15% near/west of the dryline. East of the western 6 counties, min RH will remain in the 15-25% range through this afternoon and evening, above red flag criteria. Will maintain red flag warning given intense south winds through evening, drought and delayed greenup. South winds will remain elevated and gusty through tonight. Isolated thunderstorms are expected across/near the western six counties late this afternoon and early this evening. These storms may pose a risk for dry lightning ignitions, further enhancing wildfire danger in the dry windy environment. Critical fire danger is expected again Friday, favoring southern zones adjacent to Oklahoma ahead of an advancing cold front. Issued another fire weather watch for these southern zones, where warm dry SWly downslope compression is expected for several hours. Winds do not appear overly intense, gusting near 40 mph, but given tinder dry dormant fuels, and min RH down to 9-10% ahead of the cold front, the risk of wildfire spread is apparent && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... DDC 52 83 37 52 / 10 10 20 20 GCK 52 76 35 52 / 10 10 30 30 EHA 48 76 36 57 / 20 10 20 30 LBL 52 82 40 58 / 10 10 10 20 HYS 57 82 39 52 / 10 20 60 40 P28 55 88 45 60 / 0 20 20 10 && .DDC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Red Flag Warning until 8 PM CDT /7 PM MDT/ this evening for KSZ030-031-043>046-061>064-074>078-084>087. Blowing Dust Advisory until 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ this evening for KSZ061-062-074-075-084-085. Fire Weather Watch from Friday afternoon through Friday evening for KSZ074>078-080-084>089. && SHORT TERM...Turner LONG TERM...Turner AVIATION...Turner FIRE WEATHER...Turner
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Dodge City KS 411 AM CDT Thu Apr 13 2023 KSZ030-031-043>046-061>066-074>081-084>090-140915- Trego-Ellis-Scott-Lane-Ness-Rush-Hamilton-Kearny-Finney-Hodgeman- Pawnee-Stafford-Stanton-Grant-Haskell-Gray-Ford-Edwards-Kiowa- Pratt-Morton-Stevens-Seward-Meade-Clark-Comanche-Barber- 411 AM CDT Thu Apr 13 2023 /311 AM MDT Thu Apr 13 2023/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Kansas, south central Kansas, southwest Kansas, and west central Kansas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Thunderstorms capable of producing wind gusts in excess of 60 mph are possible in the 4 pm to 8 pm CDT timeframe, anywhere from the Colorado line to near highway 83. A red flag warning is in effect. Please see the fire weather message for details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday The probability of widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
322 PM MDT Thu Apr 13 2023
KSZ061-132145-
Hamilton KS-
322 PM MDT Thu Apr 13 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northwestern Hamilton
County through 345 PM MDT...
At 322 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 14 miles south of Weskan to 6 miles north of
Holly to 17 miles north of Two Buttes. Movement was northeast at 35
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
These storms will remain over mainly rural areas of northwestern
Hamilton County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3826 10204 3826 10181 3792 10199 3789 10204
TIME...MOT...LOC 2122Z 227DEG 30KT 3865 10194 3815 10210 3779 10228
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
SPRINGERSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
344 PM MDT Thu Apr 13 2023
KSZ061-132215-
Hamilton KS-
344 PM MDT Thu Apr 13 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northwestern Hamilton
County through 415 PM MDT...
At 344 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Horace to 10 miles northeast of Coolidge
to 14 miles south of Holly. Movement was northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Coolidge.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3826 10204 3826 10173 3791 10193 3785 10204
TIME...MOT...LOC 2144Z 233DEG 35KT 3849 10181 3817 10191 3785 10212
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
SPRINGERSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
455 PM CDT Thu Apr 13 2023
KSZ061-074-084-132300-
Stanton KS-Hamilton KS-Morton KS-
455 PM CDT Thu Apr 13 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Hamilton, Morton and
Stanton Counties through 600 PM CDT/500 PM MDT/...
At 455 PM CDT/355 PM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 15 miles south of Horace to
6 miles south of Elkhart. Movement was northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Wilburton and Rolla.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3826 10204 3826 10158 3700 10155 3699 10204
TIME...MOT...LOC 2155Z 221DEG 21KT 3826 10185 3692 10187
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
SPRINGERSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
554 PM CDT Thu Apr 13 2023
KSZ061>063-074>076-084>086-140000-
Seward KS-Finney KS-Stanton KS-Kearny KS-Stevens KS-Hamilton KS-
Grant KS-Haskell KS-Morton KS-
554 PM CDT Thu Apr 13 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of western Seward,
Hamilton, Morton, Kearny, southwestern Finney, Grant, Stevens,
Stanton and western Haskell Counties through 700 PM CDT/600 PM
MDT/...
At 554 PM CDT/454 PM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 10 miles south of Leoti to
9 miles south of Hugoton. Movement was northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Woods around 610 PM CDT.
Other locations in the path of these storms include Moscow, Cave and
Satanta.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3699 10204 3826 10204 3826 10111 3700 10087
TIME...MOT...LOC 2254Z 215DEG 44KT 3833 10137 3703 10132
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
SPRINGERPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
608 PM CDT THU APR 13 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0555 PM TSTM WND GST ELKHART 37.00N 101.90W
04/13/2023 M55 MPH MORTON KS AWOS
AWOS STATION KEHA ELKHART AWOS SITE.
&&
GTSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
644 PM CDT Thu Apr 13 2023
KSZ043-044-061>063-074>077-084>087-140030-
Gray KS-Seward KS-Lane KS-Grant KS-Haskell KS-Morton KS-Finney KS-
Meade KS-Stanton KS-Kearny KS-Stevens KS-Hamilton KS-Scott KS-
644 PM CDT Thu Apr 13 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Morton, Finney,
Grant, western Meade, Stevens, Haskell, Seward, Hamilton, Kearny,
Scott, southwestern Lane, Stanton and western Gray Counties through
730 PM CDT/630 PM MDT/...
At 644 PM CDT/544 PM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 9 miles south of Leoti to 9
miles southwest of Plymell to near Liberal. Movement was northeast at
50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and blowing dust.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Blowing dust could reduce visibility to
a quarter mile or less.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Plymell around 655 PM CDT.
Modoc around 700 PM CDT.
Other locations in the path of these storms include Kismet,
Pierceville, Plains, Scott State Lake and Missler.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3699 10204 3826 10204 3826 10113 3870 10113
3870 10080 3816 10047 3700 10030
TIME...MOT...LOC 2344Z 222DEG 42KT 3836 10130 3770 10098 3701 10088
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
SPRINGERThe Dodge City radar (KDDC), 118 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:45 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind, 1 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Two adjacent power poles were snapped off at the base along County Road 180.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kansas in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Kansas, April 2023
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: 1095446, 1095437, 1095447, 1095448.