A complex of severe thunderstorms moved through much of Central and South Central Kansas during evening hours of 5 August 2023. There were numerous reports of winds in excess of 60 mph with some of the highest winds reported of 74 mph.
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.
A complex of severe thunderstorms moved through much of Central and South Central Kansas during evening hours of 5 August 2023. There were numerous reports of winds in excess of 60 mph with some of the highest winds reported of 74 mph. There were also numerous reports of trees down, power poles down, power outages and even a fire ignited by down power lines in the City of Wichita.
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 Aug 5, 5:43 PM CST, 3 hours 17 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 643 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023 ...Updated for Aviation... .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 320 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023 BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT: Severe thunderstorms are expected tonight across the area with the highest chances across portions of south-central Kansas. Main concern will be damaging wind gusts around 65-75+ mph. General timing for storms across the area will be from 9PM tonight to 4AM early Sunday morning. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Tuesday night) Issued at 320 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023 This morning's severe MCS definitely put a wrench into the forecast for this afternoon and tonight. The atmosphere across much of southern Kansas is extremely worked over, and strong subsidence is present across much of the area behind lingering and persistent shower and thunderstorm activity across northern Oklahoma. Needless to say, big changes will need to take place to realize this evening's severe weather potential. With shower and thunderstorm activity looking to remain in place across northern Oklahoma through the afternoon, would hedge on the side of a significant severe MCS plowing across the entirety of southern Kansas becoming increasingly less likely. However, several factors of this forecast still need to be worked out. The biggest question is exactly how much the atmosphere will recover by this evening/tonight. While confidence in guidance is low at this time, it would suggest the axis of highest elevated instability will be somewhere across southwest Kansas into far south- central Kansas and north-central Oklahoma extending into east- central Oklahoma. The mid-level thermal gradient and PWAT axis will generally be overlapped across the same areas, so the general thinking is that an MCS will roll off the high plains and potentially move into portions of south-central Kansas but mainly stay southwest of the Wichita metro (still cannot rule out severe weather in Wichita tonight, but the highest confidence is southwest of the metro). Main hazards will generally be 65-75+ mph wind gusts, and this activity may impact areas that received significant wind damage from this morning's activity. Meanwhile, a potent mid/upper shortwave trough will skate across the northern plains, and a fairly potent mid/upper jet will likely support another MCS across the northern half of Kansas tonight as well. Though with slightly less instability, mostly strong to marginally severe storms are anticipated with this activity with 55- 65 mph winds being the primarily concern. After 09Z late tonight, while lingering showers may continue across the area, robust convection should be south and east of the forecast area. Much cooler air will be primary headline for Sunday and Monday with afternoon highs across the area are only expected to be in the mid to upper 80s. Northwesterly flow aloft will be quite persist Sunday and Monday as well, and a couple of shortwave impulses within this flow may be enough to trigger widely scattered showers and storms across portions of western and southern Kansas both late Sunday and late Monday nights. Strong to severe storms are not expected with this activity. .LONG TERM...(Wednesday through Saturday) Issued at 320 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023 A slow warming trend will commence on Tuesday with afternoon temperatures slowly trending closer to normal for this time of year (generally in the low to mid 90s). Northwest flow aloft appears to stay quite persistent through much of the weekend. With embedded shortwave troughs expected to pass over the central plains this week, periodic chances for isolated to widely scattered showers and storms will remain in the forecast through next weekend. Tuesday night may be area's next best chances for strong to severe storms, but details still need to be ironed out over the coming days. Stay tuned! && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Sunday evening) Issued at 632 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023 Main concern through the TAF period will be chance for severe storms across central and south central KS and perhaps some more disorganized leftover storms across southeast KS. Storm arrivals should be between the 03-06z timeframe, and should depart majority of the area by 12z. Went ahead and inserted TEMPO groups at all sites except for KCNU, based on best available guidance. Severe winds of 65-75+ will be possible, will amend TEMPO winds as confidence increases for the higher caliber winds. Brief impacts to cigs and vis can be expected inside storms. Expect VFR conditions and northerly winds to prevail after sunrise tomorrow morning. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Wichita-KICT 69 88 65 86 / 70 20 20 10 Hutchinson 68 88 63 86 / 70 10 10 10 Newton 68 87 64 86 / 60 10 10 0 ElDorado 69 88 65 85 / 60 20 10 10 Winfield-KWLD 69 89 65 85 / 70 20 30 10 Russell 64 85 61 85 / 70 0 10 10 Great Bend 64 85 61 83 / 70 10 20 10 Salina 68 88 63 87 / 50 10 10 0 McPherson 67 87 63 85 / 60 10 10 0 Coffeyville 71 92 65 87 / 60 30 20 10 Chanute 71 91 65 86 / 50 30 10 0 Iola 70 89 64 85 / 40 30 10 0 Parsons-KPPF 70 92 65 87 / 60 30 10 10 && .ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...JC SHORT TERM...JC LONG TERM...JC AVIATION...KMB
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wichita KS 914 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023 KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-070215- 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- 914 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of Central Kansas, South Central Kansas and Southeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...Tonight Another round of severe storms will be possible tonight. Damaging winds of 60 to 75 mph, quarter sized hail, and heavy rain will be the primary threats. Portions of central and south central Kansas have the greatest chance at seeing severe storms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Lingering isolated showers and storms are possible early Sunday morning. Periodic chances for showers and storms are in the forecast from late Sunday night through Friday. Strong to severe storms are possible Tuesday night. .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
928 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023
KSZ032-060300-
Russell KS-
928 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Russell
County through 1000 PM CDT...
At 928 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles southeast of Natoma, or 15 miles north of Russell, moving 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.
Locations impacted include...
Lucas, Luray, Paradise, Waldo, Wilson Lake and Wilson State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 300 AM CDT for
central Kansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3913 9904 3913 9849 3892 9848 3892 9904
TIME...MOT...LOC 0228Z 266DEG 41KT 3910 9891
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DARMOFALSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
952 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023
KSZ032-033-048-060315-
Ellsworth KS-Russell KS-Lincoln KS-
952 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Lincoln, northwestern
Ellsworth and southeastern Russell Counties through 1015 PM CDT...
At 952 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Hunter to 7 miles southwest of Dorrance.
Movement was east at 40 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...
Wilson, Lincoln, Lucas, Sylvan Grove, Dorrance, Ash Grove, Wilson
State Park and Wilson Lake.
This includes Interstate 70 between Mile Markers 198 and 219.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 300 AM CDT for
central Kansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3922 9805 3870 9829 3870 9869 3922 9846
TIME...MOT...LOC 0252Z 260DEG 34KT 3922 9841 3875 9864
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DARMOFALSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
956 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023
KSZ047-060315-
Barton KS-
956 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Barton
County through 1015 PM CDT...
At 955 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm just
north of Otis, moving east at 35 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...
Hoisington, Albert, Olmitz, Galatia, Susank, Cheyenne Bottoms and
Odin.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 300 AM CDT for
central Kansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3869 9857 3841 9855 3843 9903 3869 9903
TIME...MOT...LOC 0255Z 269DEG 30KT 3860 9900
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DARMOFALThe Wichita radar (KICT), 16 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 03:01 UTC.
40 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Reports of tree branches down. No indication of size or health of the tree.
Great Bend AWOS measured gust.
Measured gust of 52kts.
Reported a gust range of 55 to 60 mph.
Trained spotter reported an estimated 60 mph thunderstorm wind gust.
Trained spotter reported a measured thunderstorm wind gust of 65 mph.
Trained spotter also reported trees coming down.
Down tree reported with lights flickering.
Measured wind gust of 52kts.
Measured from personal weather station.
Measured ASOS gust of 64kts.
Power outages with some large tree damage. No hail noted with the very heavy rain or wind.
Measured AWOS gust of 55kts.
Tree limbs, 4-5 inches in diameter, down which caused roof damage to nearby homes.
Estimated 60-70 mph gust.
NWS Employee reported a measured 70kt gust.
Several locations without power at this time. Large tree (unknown type) damage in the city.
Estimated wind gust of 65 mph from a trained spotter.
Trained spotter wind report.
Tree trunk nearly snapped. Health of tree unknown and of unknown size. Delayed report, time estimated by radar.
Delayed report, time estimated by radar. Uprooted tree in Hesston.
Measured wind gust from personal weather station.
Measured wind gust.
Measured wind gust of 61kts.
Measured wind gust of 61kts.
Reports of a 12 inch diameter tree down due to thunderstorm wind.
Home weather station report.
Measured wind gust from Jabara Airport.
Vehicle accident near US-50 interchange due to storm.
Vehicle accident on US-50 and Rock Road.
Measured wind gust of 61kts.
Measured wind gust.
Power poled blown down with powerline. Power poles on fire.
Numerous power outages.
Measured wind gust of 63 kts.
Measured wind gust of 55kts.
Damaged power pole, down power lines, power outages in the city. Trees, of unknown size, down on the west side of the city.
AWOS measured gust of 63kts.
Law enforcement reports an estimated thunderstorm wind gust.
Chanute airport reported a measured thunderstorm wind gust.
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, August 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: 1132829, 1133293, 1133292, 1133294, 1132827, 1132828, 1133286, 1133288, 1133287, 1133289, 1133290, 1133291, 1133308, 1133310, 1133306, 1133307, 1133309, 1132831, 1132835, 1133302, 1133301, 1132833, 1133312, 1133304, 1133303, 1132832, 1133305, 1132834, 1133299, 1133300, 1133295, 1133298, 1132830, 1133311, 1133297, 1133315, 1133296, 1133313, 1133314, 1132524.