Hail and Damaging Winds in Kansas, April 14, 2023

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Topeka KS
632 PM CDT Fri Apr 14 2023

...Update to aviation forecast discussion...

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 235 PM CDT Fri Apr 14 2023

Key Messages:

- Severe storms possible this evening & tonight

- Extreme fire danger Sunday

Detailed Discussion:

Severe weather continues to look possible across especially
northern Kansas this evening. Surface moisture return has been
about as expected, with dewpoints generally reaching the low 50s
throughout the eastern half of the state. Temperatures continue to
warm in the 850-700 hPa layer as the EML advects east (evident on
ACARS soundings and low-level water vapor imagery), while boundary
layer destabilization also occurs, indicated by the isolated cu
development in the open warm sector. Pretty striking gravity waves
have emanated out of western KS and into northern OK, possibly
assisting quicker and slightly deeper cu development across
northwest OK early this afternoon. A little elevated convection
has developed along a weak pre-frontal trough/wind shift in
northeast KS this morning, but is not expected to amount to much
more than perhaps a few sprinkles. Given increasing inhibition
across the region, it is likely some increased forcing from the
dryline and/or approaching cold front will be necessary for deep
convective initiation to occur.

The dryline, currently just east of a line from Pratt to Russell,
continues to tighten and mix just slightly eastward, but isn't
expected to make much progress eastward. Any isolated storms that
form along this boundary would mainly develop west and southwest
of the forecast area, but could progress into central KS by 6 or 7
this evening. Deep layer shear of 25-30 kts that's cross boundary
could allow initial storm mode to be isolated supercells, with
both significant hail and wind as primary threats. High storm
bases and lots of DCAPE should lead to strong downdrafts and
preclude any tornado risk.

The cold front/inverted trough axis, currently stretching from
Ulysses to the north side of the Omaha metro, will make initially
slow progress as surface low pressure in central KS transitions
northeast. This boundary could also serve as a focus for
convective initiation, especially later this evening as the upper
trough provides additional lift. Storm motion will be more along-
boundary with this feature, encouraging more upscale growth and
linear segments. Hail could be an initial threat, but the primary
hazard with these outflow-driven segments will be damaging
straight line winds. As the dryline starts to retreat this
evening, the cold front will become the primary focus for
additional storm initiation, and northern to northeast KS the most
likely area for a continued severe risk.

Storms will likely separate from the cold front as outflow drives
them east and southeast, indicated pretty consistently by storm
modes among HREF members. This should decrease severe threat with
time as storms gust out and new updrafts struggle to develop in a
worked-over environment. Therefore, most likely window for a
severe weather threat is 7-10 PM. Widely scattered showers and
embedded thunderstorms may linger behind the initial push of
stronger storms tonight, but coverage will limit widespread rain
amounts to less than a half inch in most locations. Frontal
passage will finally occur in the morning hours Saturday, but
some wrap around showers and perhaps even a flake or two of non-
accumulating snow will linger into Saturday night.

Fire danger Sunday will depend a bit on how much wetting rain
occurs on Friday and Saturday, but atmospheric conditions look
very supportive of extreme fire danger throughout the area. RH is
progged to drop into the teens to near 20 percent, and northwest
winds will gust to 40+ mph in the afternoon. Sunday should also be
monitored for a possible wind advisory given recent trends with
the depth and location of the low over the Northern Plains/Great
Lakes region. Winds should lessen on Monday, hopefully limiting
the window for wildfire danger to just the Sunday afternoon and
early evening period.

After a chilly and dreary Saturday, temperatures will warm into
next week, returning to above-normal values by Tuesday. Shower and
thunderstorm chances return Tuesday as well, and linger on-and-off
through the remainder of the forecast period.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday evening)
Issued at 632 PM CDT Fri Apr 14 2023

A messy TAF period is expected with a couple of rounds of rain and
storms. Storms south of KTOP/KFOE could impact terminals within
the next hour or two. Another round of storms moves through later
this evening and may linger behind a cold front through the early
morning hours of Saturday. Additional showers and storms are expected
during the late morning into the afternoon before shifting east of
the area near the end of the TAF period. Winds switch to the north-
northwest behind the front and become gusty through the day Saturday.
MVFR or possibly IFR cigs also build in behind the front.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 235 PM CDT Fri Apr 14 2023

Very high fire danger continues this afternoon, although relative
humidity should start increasing by early evening as moisture
surges northward into the area. Attention then turns to Sunday,
when minimum afternoon RH in the 15 to 20 percent range is
expected, along with gusty northwest winds reaching sustained
speeds of 25 to 30 mph and gusts reach 40+ mph. Recent rainfall
will at least prevent any ongoing fires from lingering into
Sunday, but fuels will dry out quickly, and should still burn
efficiently.

&&

.TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NONE.
&&

DISCUSSION...Laflin
AVIATION...Flanagan
FIRE WEATHER...Laflin

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Topeka KS
236 PM CDT Fri Apr 14 2023

KSZ008>012-020>024-026-034>040-054>056-058-059-151945-
Republic-Washington-Marshall-Nemaha-Brown-Cloud-Clay-Riley-
Pottawatomie-Jackson-Jefferson-Ottawa-Dickinson-Geary-Morris-
Wabaunsee-Shawnee-Douglas-Lyon-Osage-Franklin-Coffey-Anderson-
236 PM CDT Fri Apr 14 2023

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Kansas, east central
Kansas, north central Kansas and northeast Kansas.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

A few severe storms are possible late this afternoon and evening,
mainly across north central and northeast Kansas. Hail up to the
size of half dollars and wind gusts to 70 mph will be possible in any
severe storms that develop today.

Very high fire danger continues through this evening, with breezy
south winds.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Very high to extreme fire weather will be possible on Sunday due to
gusty northwest winds and low humidity.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed.

&&

More detailed information can be found at:
www.weather.gov/media/top/DssPacket.pdf

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
720 PM CDT Fri Apr 14 2023

KSZ054-150045-
Lyon-
720 PM CDT Fri Apr 14 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Lyon
County through 745 PM CDT...

At 720 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles northwest of Madison, moving northeast at 40 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.

Locations impacted include...
Emporia, Olpe and Neosho Rapids.

This includes Interstate 35 between mile markers 130 and 142.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
east central Kansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3817 9630 3846 9618 3843 9595 3817 9606
TIME...MOT...LOC 0020Z 215DEG 33KT 3819 9619

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

ST

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
731 PM CDT Fri Apr 14 2023

KSZ020-150100-
Cloud-
731 PM CDT Fri Apr 14 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of eastern Cloud County
through 800 PM CDT...

At 730 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 6
miles west of Miltonvale, moving north at 35 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.

Locations impacted include...
Clyde, Miltonvale and Aurora.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
north central Kansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3965 9761 3965 9737 3964 9737 3931 9745
      3931 9764
TIME...MOT...LOC 0030Z 189DEG 31KT 3935 9757

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

ST

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
755 PM CDT Fri Apr 14 2023

KSZ055-150130-
Osage-
755 PM CDT Fri Apr 14 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Osage
County through 830 PM CDT...

At 754 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles north of Lyndon, moving northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down twigs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Osage City, Carbondale, Overbrook, Lyndon, Scranton and Pomona Lake.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
east central Kansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3856 9566 3866 9585 3887 9577 3887 9550
      3871 9550
TIME...MOT...LOC 0054Z 215DEG 35KT 3868 9570

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
831 PM CDT Fri Apr 14 2023

KSZ008-009-020-021-034-150200-
Republic-Clay-Cloud-Washington-Ottawa-
831 PM CDT Fri Apr 14 2023

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Ottawa, southeastern
Republic, northwestern Clay, Washington and Cloud Counties through
900 PM CDT...

At 830 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Palmer to 3 miles east of Ada. Movement
was northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down twigs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Concordia, Minneapolis, Washington, Clyde, Hanover, Clifton,
Miltonvale, Glasco, Linn, Delphos, Greenleaf, Tescott, Morganville,
Barnes, Morrowville, Palmer, Haddam, Agenda, Aurora and Vining.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Heavy rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead to
localized ponding of water. Do not drive your vehicle through
flooded roadways.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
north central Kansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3940 9793 4000 9714 4000 9681 3974 9681
      3896 9778 3896 9793
TIME...MOT...LOC 0130Z 221DEG 29KT 3964 9718 3916 9782

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
946 PM CDT Fri Apr 14 2023

KSZ009-010-021-022-035-036-150330-
Geary-Clay-Dickinson-Riley-Washington-Marshall-
946 PM CDT Fri Apr 14 2023

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Dickinson, western
Geary, Riley, Clay, eastern Washington and Marshall Counties through
1030 PM CDT...

At 944 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles west southwest of Marysville to 3
miles south of Salina. Movement was east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Junction City, Abilene, Clay Center, Marysville, Herington, Blue
Rapids, Chapman, Solomon, Wakefield, Riley, Enterprise, Frankfort,
Hanover, Waterville, Milford, Leonardville, Hope, Greenleaf, Beattie
and Morganville.

This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 267 and 296.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Heavy rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead to
localized ponding of water on roads. Do not drive your vehicle
through flooded roadways.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
central, north central, northeastern and east central Kansas.

&&

LAT...LON 4000 9624 3967 9637 3957 9658 3945 9672
      3933 9668 3881 9693 3861 9694 3861 9737
      3924 9737 4000 9682
TIME...MOT...LOC 0244Z 296DEG 18KT 3981 9677 3877 9764

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
1021 PM CDT Fri Apr 14 2023

KSZ011-012-022>024-036>038-150400-
Wabaunsee-Geary-Pottawatomie-Brown-Riley-Jackson-Nemaha-Morris-
1021 PM CDT Fri Apr 14 2023

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Geary, southeastern
Riley, Morris, northwestern Wabaunsee, Pottawatomie, Nemaha,
northwestern Jackson and western Brown Counties through 1100 PM
CDT...

At 1020 PM CDT, trained weather spotters reported strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from near Baileyville to 4 miles
west of Woodbine. Movement was east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Trained weather spotters.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Manhattan, Wamego, Hiawatha, Sabetha, Herington, Seneca, Alma,
Westmoreland, Blaine, Ogden, Grandview Plaza, Onaga, St. George,
White City, Centralia, Alta Vista, Wetmore, Dwight, Fairview and
McFarland.

This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 299 and 331.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Heavy rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead to
localized ponding of water. Do not drive your vehicle through
flooded roadways.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
central, northeastern and east central Kansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3852 9667 3852 9693 3881 9693 3881 9689
      3887 9690 3957 9649 3957 9624 3999 9623
      4000 9541
TIME...MOT...LOC 0320Z 268DEG 35KT 3983 9616 3881 9705

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH