On the evening of July 19th, showers and thunderstorms moved through the northwestern region of Kansas. Some of the thunderstorms became severe and produced hail up to quarters in size along with damaging wind gusts up to an estimated 90 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 GLD wrote it up.
On the evening of July 19th, showers and thunderstorms moved through the northwestern region of Kansas. Some of the thunderstorms became severe and produced hail up to quarters in size along with damaging wind gusts up to an estimated 90 mph.
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 Jul 19, 12:37 PM MST, 2 hours 48 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Goodland KS 137 PM MDT Wed Jul 19 2023 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Thursday) Issued at 136 PM MDT Wed Jul 19 2023 The short term period calls for active weather with severe storms and potential flooding. The remainder of this afternoon, storms are expected to develop across the area. The first round is already forming in Eastern Colorado along a surface wind convergence boundary. These storms are expected to continue to form and move east/southeast. Forms are then forecasted to form during the mid afternoon in far Northwest Kansas and Southwestern Nebraska along an area of surface wind convergence and differential heating from earlier cloud cover. These storms will also move east to southeast. Storms could be severe as effective shear is around 40 to 50 kts with boundaries forming the storms. However, the other severe parameters (1000-1500 J/KG of MLCAPE, 7 to 7.5 C/KM, and DCAPE around 1000 J/KG) are sufficient for severe weather but a bit lacking. Recent cases with parameters like these have produced marginally severe hail and wind gusts. Current forecast reflects this with a few severe storms producing up to 1.5 inch hail and wind gusts up to 65 mph. If an isolated supercell can develop, hail up to 2 inches would be possible. The severe threat should diminish by 02-03Z. Tonight, there could be a few showers and storms that develop similar to recent night depending on how much lift and moisture remain. If a storm did form, it would be unlikely to be severe with limited instability available (MUCAPE around 1000 or less). Otherwise, skies should clear across most of the area with lows dropping into the 60's. Similar to recent days, fog is again possible mainly for areas along and east of Highway 83. Tomorrow, the daylight hours could see cloud cover linger across the area, especially with a cold front lingering near the area. The passage should occur later in the day and when it passes could determine the storm chances for the area. Otherwise, the additional cloud cover and progress of the cold front will help most of the area stay in the 70's and 80's for high temperatures. In regards to storms, there could be a few that form ahead of the main batch along a lingering outflow or pre-frontal trough. These would form in Eastern Colorado and move east and could be the areas best chance for hail. However, instability is forecasted to be lacking again with MLCAPE around 1500 or less so the hail threat may be spotty if it occurs at all. The main batch is then forecasted to move off the Front Range, potentially along with the cold front. This batch is forecasted to form either a storm cluster, squall line or MCS that moves southeast. This would favor counties generally west of Highway 83 and south of US 34. With the uncertainty in mode and how progressed the front will be, there is some uncertainty where the greatest threats would be. The main threats with the storms that move through would be flooding and damaging wind gusts. Most deterministic and ensemble guidance has at least 2+ inches of rain falling in the main part of the storm complex. However, fast downstream motion is limiting the accumulations and flooding threat as storms are forecasted to move 30+ kts. Even if the storms form a fairly large complex or take advantage of the very high PWATs (generally 1.5 inches or higher which is near to above the 90th percentile), the storms wouldn't be over a spot long enough to produce flooding unless the spot had poor drainage. That being said, if the storms move slower or form and MCS that rotates around an area, flooding chances would increase a fair amount. Tomorrow night, with the complex moving out of the area, showers and storms should end though the cloud cover may linger for a majority of the night. Lows are forecasted to be cooler with a few locales nearing 60 or less. .LONG TERM...(Friday through Wednesday) Issued at 1250 PM MDT Wed Jul 19 2023 Showers may linger into Friday morning with MCS exiting to the south. Afterwards, looking at dry conditions from Friday afternoon into early next week as ridge builds over the Rockies from the west. Temperatures will warm well into the 90s, with some pockets of triple digits for Monday through Wednesday. Precipitation chances will be slim to none, with perhaps an isolated shower or thunderstorm in eastern Colorado towards the end of the period provided the ridge axis moves a little further east. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Thursday afternoon) Issued at 1129 AM MDT Wed Jul 19 2023 For KGLD... VFR ceilings and visibility are forecasted, but storms may be present for much of the period. Currently have the highest confidence window of around 22-02Z forecasted to have storms either over the terminal or nearby, but there are shower and storm chances through about 15Z. Confidence is currently too low after 06Z to include in the TAFs, but stay alert for changing conditions. For KMCK... VFR conditions are forecasted for much of the period, but there could be some fog leading to IFR conditions around 11-14Z. Also, there is a chance for storms through much of the period until around 10Z. Currently have the highest confidence period in the TAFs of around 23-03Z. Currently don't have enough confidence for the remainder of the period so stay alert for changing conditions. && .GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KS...NONE. CO...NONE. NE...NONE. && SHORT TERM...KAK LONG TERM...024 AVIATION...KAK
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Goodland KS 256 PM MDT Wed Jul 19 2023 COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-202100- Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Rawlins-Decatur-Norton-Sherman-Thomas- Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock- Red Willow- 256 PM MDT Wed Jul 19 2023 /356 PM CDT Wed Jul 19 2023/ This hazardous weather outlook is for extreme southwest Nebraska... northwest Kansas and east central Colorado. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT... A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for the entire area through 10pm MT or 11pm CT. Large hail and damaging wind gusts are the primary threat. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY... Severe thunderstorms are possible again tomorrow afternoon with a large hail threat initially. Going into the evening hours, the severe threat will transition to damaging wind gusts with heavy rain that could lead to flooding. Heavy rainfall and flooding is the currently forecasted main threat. The Tri-State Area sees heat indices reaching into the lower triple digits in some locations on Sunday through Wednesday. Please consider making preparations for multiple days of very hot conditions. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Any reports of hail or wind gusts above 50 mph would be appreciated!
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
211 PM MDT Wed Jul 19 2023
COZ091-192045-
Kit Carson County CO-
211 PM MDT Wed Jul 19 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Kit
Carson County through 245 PM MDT...
At 210 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Seibert, 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.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Seibert around 215 PM MDT.
Other locations in the path of this storm include Vona.
This includes Interstate 70 in Colorado between mile markers 400 and
416.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3916 10297 3934 10299 3937 10267 3915 10264
TIME...MOT...LOC 2010Z 268DEG 12KT 3926 10289
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
VincentSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
252 PM MDT Wed Jul 19 2023
COZ090-091-192115-
Kit Carson County CO-Yuma County CO-
252 PM MDT Wed Jul 19 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central Yuma
and north central Kit Carson Counties through 315 PM MDT...
At 251 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 17
miles east of Cope, or 20 miles north of Stratton, moving east at 25
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.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of south central Yuma
and north central Kit Carson Counties, including the following
locations... Kirk and Joes.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for
northeastern and east central Colorado.
&&
LAT...LON 3953 10273 3970 10266 3968 10226 3940 10234
TIME...MOT...LOC 2051Z 290DEG 20KT 3959 10254
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
VincentSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
306 PM MDT Wed Jul 19 2023
COZ091-192130-
Kit Carson County CO-
306 PM MDT Wed Jul 19 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Kit
Carson County through 330 PM MDT...
At 305 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles south of Cope, or 13 miles north of Seibert, moving east at 20
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 55 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.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northwestern Kit
Carson County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for
northeastern and east central Colorado.
&&
LAT...LON 3957 10305 3957 10261 3935 10260 3938 10305
TIME...MOT...LOC 2105Z 268DEG 18KT 3949 10293
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
VincentSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
327 PM MDT Wed Jul 19 2023
COZ091-192200-
Kit Carson County CO-
327 PM MDT Wed Jul 19 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Kit Carson
County through 400 PM MDT...
At 327 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles north of Vona, or 8 miles northeast of Seibert, moving east at
25 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...
Stratton.
This includes Interstate 70 in Colorado between mile markers 411 and
428.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for
east central Colorado.
&&
LAT...LON 3933 10290 3950 10284 3944 10238 3918 10247
TIME...MOT...LOC 2127Z 286DEG 23KT 3940 10279
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
VincentSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
402 PM MDT Wed Jul 19 2023
COZ091-192230-
Kit Carson County CO-
402 PM MDT Wed Jul 19 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Kit Carson
County through 430 PM MDT...
At 402 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Stratton, moving southeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 55 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 central Kit Carson
County.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 70 in Colorado between mile markers 415 and 441.
Highway 385 between mile markers 181 and 189.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for
east central Colorado.
&&
LAT...LON 3926 10272 3940 10260 3931 10220 3905 10239
TIME...MOT...LOC 2202Z 299DEG 16KT 3928 10256
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
VincentSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
414 PM MDT Wed Jul 19 2023
KSZ013-192245-
Sherman KS-
414 PM MDT Wed Jul 19 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Sherman
County through 445 PM MDT...
At 414 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Goodland, moving east at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 55 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 central Sherman
County, including the following locations... Edson.
This includes Interstate 70 in Kansas between mile markers 9 and 28.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for
northwestern Kansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3931 10189 3943 10185 3940 10149 3919 10156
TIME...MOT...LOC 2214Z 279DEG 7KT 3934 10171
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
VincentThe Goodland radar (KGLD), 3 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:23 UTC.
7 thunderstorm wind, 3 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Off duty NWS employee reported a large tree limb down at location. Time is radar estimated with wind speed based on damage indicators.
Spotter reports live trees down, fences down, and shingles blown off of houses in Brewster, KS. Wind speed estimated based on damage indicators.
Report received of 4 semi trucks overturned on I-70 around mile marker 35 near Brewster, KS. Wind speed estimate based on damage indicators.
Report received of 12 power poles snapped off near Road 9 and Road S northwest of Levant, KS by thunderstorm wind gusts. A big blue spruce tree was reported to have been uprooted as well. Time is radar estimated.
KCBK AWOS station reported a 69 mph thunderstorm wind gust at location.
Law enforcement reports hail up to a quarter size or larger in Selden, KS. Time is radar estimated.
Mesonet station reported a 60 mph thunderstorm wind gust at location.
Report received of several electric poles broken and roofs torn off of outbuildings due to thunderstorm wind gusts. Total crop loss also reported due to strong winds and wind-driven hail. Time is radar estimated and wind speed is estimated from damage indicators.
Spotter reported quarter sized hail at location. Time is radar estimated.
Spotter reported quarter sized hail covering Highway 25 near Mile Marker 215.
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, July 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: 1121698, 1121703, 1121699, 1121704, 1121705, 1121714, 1121715, 1121729, 1121731, 1121730.