During the afternoon and evening hours of July 2nd, a broken line of showers and thunderstorms moved through Northwestern Kansas. Some of the storms became severe and produced hail up to pennies in size as well as damaging wind gusts.
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.
During the afternoon and evening hours of July 2nd, a broken line of showers and thunderstorms moved through Northwestern Kansas. Some of the storms became severe and produced hail up to pennies in size as well as damaging wind gusts. One storm in Gove County intensified and caused extreme straight-line wind damage. A NWS Storm Survey team was sent out and determined the maximum wind gusts to be up to 100 mph with this particular storm.
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 2, 5:25 PM CST, 35 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Goodland KS 525 PM MDT Sun Jul 2 2023 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Tuesday night) Issued at 228 PM MDT Sun Jul 2 2023 Across the Tri State region this afternoon, skies are mainly sunny with some low clouds starting to develop in western locales ahead of an approaching surface/upper level trough. With the full sunshine, temperatures are in the 80s area-wide with W/SW flow near the approaching trough, with gusts around 20 mph at times. Elsewhere light/variable. For the remainder of the afternoon hours into this evening, the weather concerns will fall around the potential for scattered strong to severe storms. They will be focused along/ahead of an approaching surface trough, enhanced by a weak 850/700mb trough. With regional radar showing storms already forming near a low associated with the trough, the activity should increase as the afternoon progresses. The latest CAMS(HRRR/NAM12) are showing activity hitting the western cwa between 21z-22z, and push through the area by 04z-05z. The latest soundings are showing inverted-v profiles to around 700mb, with DCape values around the 1500j/kg mark. Lesser amounts for SBCape/MUCape around the 700j/kg range. These numbers do suggest wind main threat, but hail could be possible limited some by the dry low levels. PW values around the inch mark, and a locally heavy downpour can't be ruled out, but storms should be moving fast enough to offset this. SPC has shifted the Marginal risk almost clearly out of the cwa, with best chances near the aforementioned low to the south. After 06z Monday, looking for most/all precip to have exited the cwa. Aloft, strong upper ridge remains in place over the southwest portion of the country into Tuesday. This will keep a northwest to zonal pattern aloft, which will aid in warming over the region during the day. On Monday with S/SW flow over the region and downslope aloft, a dry and hot day is expected. 850mb temps will range from +26c to +31c, assisting in near normal warmth. For Tuesday, the main concern will be the approach and timing of a strong cold front into the cwa. Highs for the day will be highly affected as a result. Guidance is showing a potential morning passage which could mean early highs before dropping into the afternoon. Best chance for normal temps will occur south of the Interstate as a result as guidance does show the front stalling over the area. The front will be the focus for storm initiation by 00z Wednesday, aided by the passage of a 500/700mb shortwave coming off the central Rockies. Potential for lingering clouds/rain to persist into the morning hours Wednesday. SPC does have the cwa under a Slight risk for severe storms. DCape values to range approx 1200-1500j/kg, and SBCape/MUCape in the 1500- 2000j/kg range from the 21z Tue-03z Wed timeframe. Effective shear is 30kts, with some training of storms possible along the boundary. The area could see gusts at least 60 mph, large hail 1-2". PW values do increase during the period with a range from 1-1.5" suggesting ample low level moisture available for flooding/flash flooding concerns. This will be dependent on speed of storms and whether or they will train over areas. WPC does have the area under a Marginal for excessive rainfall. For temps, highs during the short term period will trend to normal as Monday will see a range in the lower to mid 90s. Going into Tuesday though, the timing of a cold front will give a wide range for the area from the upper 80s in the far northwest into the low 100s in spots in the far eastern areas(mainly Graham/Norton counties). Heat indices are looking to stay at or just below forecasted high temperatures. Overnight lows will mainly have a mix of 50s west into the 60s east for tonight and Tuesday night, with 60s for Monday night. .LONG TERM...(Wednesday through Sunday) Issued at 247 PM MDT Sun Jul 2 2023 The upper trough axis is expected to swing across the Plains on Wednesday behind the frontal passage during the overnight to early morning hours. With the cold front, temperatures could be around 20 degrees cooler than Tuesday! The latest forecast has high temperatures in the upper 60s to our west and ranging up to the lower 80s to the east. More shortwave disturbances are expected to pass over the area, bringing potential for a few light showers during the morning with a slight chance for a few storms as we begin to warm up. Confidence is low at the moment for these to occur Wednesday morning, but should the front move slower we could see that activity linger into the morning. Afternoon into overnight showers and storms is possible across the Tri-State area, with activity exiting to the east Thursday morning. With CAPE values ~100- 200 J/kg, I am currently not anticipating severe weather. Overnight lows are expected to be in the mid to upper 50s. For the remainder of the period the upper ridge will continue to push east as it strengthens over the Southwestern CONUS while multiple disturbances travel along the ridge. There is potential for strong to potentially severe storms on Thursday afternoon and evening across the Tri-State area as CAPE values range from 500- 2,500 J/kg. PWs look to be 1-1.5" over the area, so any decent storm could produce locally heavy rainfall and perhaps localized flash flooding. The highest CAPE values currently look to remain along and west of the Colorado border during the early evening. On Saturday an upper trough moving over the Canadian border and Northern Plains will dig southeast over Nebraska, giving the Tri-State area northwesterly flow aloft. Temperatures are expected to gradually warm through the weekend as the surface high moves over Central Colorado on Saturday. Highs on Thursday are expected to be in the mid to upper 70s and warm into the mid 80s for highs by Sunday afternoon. Afternoon/evening storm chances look to continue through the end of the week as more disturbances move over the Central Plains. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Monday evening) Issued at 514 PM MDT Sun Jul 2 2023 KGLD...VFR conditions are seen throughout the 00Z TAF period starting with vicinity thunderstorm chances and southerly winds around 10 kts before precipitation chances end 04Z. By 06Z, KGLD winds expect to become variable around 6 kts through the remainder of the TAF period. KMCK...VFR conditions are expected during the 00Z TAF period beginning with southeasterly winds around 11 kts before vicinity thunderstorm chances look to begin at 01Z. By 06Z, KMCK expects the precipitation chances to end with winds becoming variable around 6 kts. KMCK then sees winds turn east-southeasterly around 8 kts at 19Z through the end of the TAF period. Models appear to be having difficulty with wind direction at KGLD to begin the TAF period, so adjustments may be needed. Will continue to monitor precipitation chances and amend TAFs as needed for both terminals as well. && .GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KS...NONE. CO...NONE. NE...NONE. && SHORT TERM...JN LONG TERM...KMK AVIATION...076
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Goodland KS 1213 PM MDT Sun Jul 2 2023 COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-031815- Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Rawlins-Decatur-Norton-Sherman-Thomas- Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock- Red Willow- 1213 PM MDT Sun Jul 2 2023 /113 PM CDT Sun Jul 2 2023/ This hazardous weather outlook is for extreme southwest Nebraska... northwest Kansas and east central Colorado. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT... There continues to be a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms from the mid afternoon through the mid evening hours. Potential storm hazards include wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail up to quarters in size. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SUNDAY... Confidence is increasing for severe thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon and evening. Main threats will be large hail and damaging wind gusts. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed later this afternoon. Please send any reports of severe weather or flooding to the NWS Goodland office via social media or phone.
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
522 PM MDT Sun Jul 2 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0518 PM Hail 10 N Levant 39.52N 101.16W
07/02/2023 E0.25 inch Thomas KS Trained Spotter
Corrects previous hail report from 10 N
Levant. reported hail around one third inch
in size, a little bigger than pea, and a
rogue wind gust from the east at around 45
mph.
&&
TTSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
529 PM MDT Sun Jul 2 2023
KSZ027-028-030000-
Wallace KS-Logan KS-
529 PM MDT Sun Jul 2 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central Wallace
and northwestern Logan Counties through 600 PM MDT/700 PM CDT/...
At 529 PM MDT/629 PM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm 10 miles northeast of Wallace, or 18 miles northeast of
Sharon Springs, moving southeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 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 east central
Wallace and northwestern Logan Counties.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3901 10161 3914 10145 3914 10137 3903 10114
3882 10140
TIME...MOT...LOC 2329Z 308DEG 21KT 3902 10145
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
024Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
630 PM CDT Sun Jul 2 2023
KSZ014-030000-
Thomas KS-
630 PM CDT Sun Jul 2 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Thomas
County through 700 PM CDT...
At 630 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles north of Colby, moving southeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 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...
Colby around 635 PM CDT.
Gem around 650 PM CDT.
This includes Interstate 70 in Kansas between mile markers 52 and 61.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3940 10118 3956 10106 3947 10073 3925 10085
TIME...MOT...LOC 2330Z 308DEG 22KT 3945 10106
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
024Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
647 PM CDT Sun Jul 2 2023
NEZ080-030015-
Hitchcock NE-
647 PM CDT Sun Jul 2 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Hitchcock
County through 715 PM CDT...
At 647 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 5
miles northwest of Trenton, moving east at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 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...
Trenton.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4015 10120 4033 10115 4032 10082 4005 10090
TIME...MOT...LOC 2347Z 283DEG 10KT 4023 10109
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
024Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
558 PM MDT Sun Jul 2 2023
KSZ041-042-030030-
Wichita KS-Greeley KS-
558 PM MDT Sun Jul 2 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Wichita
and northeastern Greeley Counties through 630 PM MDT/730 PM CDT/...
At 557 PM MDT/657 PM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm 9 miles northeast of Tribune, moving southeast at 15
mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 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 northwestern
Wichita and northeastern Greeley Counties, including the following
locations... Selkirk.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3851 10182 3870 10174 3869 10141 3839 10152
TIME...MOT...LOC 2357Z 309DEG 14KT 3860 10168
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
024Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
659 PM CDT Sun Jul 2 2023
KSZ014-030030-
Thomas KS-
659 PM CDT Sun Jul 2 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of eastern Thomas
County through 730 PM CDT...
At 659 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Colby, moving southeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 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 eastern Thomas
County, including the following locations... Mingo and Halford.
This includes Interstate 70 in Kansas between mile markers 51 and 69.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3929 10116 3950 10102 3942 10072 3916 10078
TIME...MOT...LOC 2359Z 309DEG 14KT 3938 10098
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
024The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
3 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Report received an estimated 50 to 60 mph thunderstorm wind gust at location.
Spotter reported hail up to pennies in size for a quarter mile stretch around location.
Mesonet station OVEK1 recorded a 63 mph thunderstorm 10-meter wind gust at location.
A severe thunderstorm produced extreme damaging straight line winds estimated between 90 to 100 mph. Several large trees were snapped or uprooted with numerous small and large branches downed by the winds. One large branch landed on top of a metal outbuilding and punctured the roof. A few power poles were also broken or snapped with powerlines downed by the winds. Sprinklers were knocked over and an irrigation pivot was overturned over by the winds. A four inch by four inch wood post for a 4-way crossing sign was snapped by the winds causing the post and the sign to fall into a ditch to the southwest nearby. The damage path length was measured at 0.56 miles and the damage path width was measured at 0.94 miles. No injuries were reported. Wind speed estimates based on damage indicators.
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: 1121732, 1121733, 1121734, 1121736.