Scattered severe t-storms during the afternoon on July 22nd produced a brief small land spout type tornado and numerous large hail reports.
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 TOP wrote it up.
Scattered severe t-storms during the afternoon on July 22nd produced a brief small land spout type tornado and numerous large hail reports.
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 Topeka, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 22, 1:42 PM CST, 50 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Topeka KS 242 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023 .DISCUSSION... Issued at 242 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023 Forecast summary: - A few isolated to scattered severe storms possible through this evening across the area with better chances with westward extent. - Hot and humid most of next week. Possible heat headlines beginning as soon as Monday. Certainly the focus will become that of heat safety. Forecast thoughts: The western ridge continues to build and strengthen. This has aided in increased northwest flow over the region today on the eastern flank of the ridge. Strong boundary layer heating along with a very subtle shortwave over the Plains has likely aided in some weakly capped areas to develop showers and storms over the past couple of hours. Cumulus field continues to develop from eastern KS into south central NE areas within the deeper moisture. As the shortwave digs south further into the region, effective shear should increase over the next 4-6 hrs. MLCAPE will range from the 1500-2000 J/kg which should allow sustained updrafts eventhough mid level lapse rates don't appear to be as steep as needed for widespread updrafts to be common. A few storms could become severe and with dry low levels as indicated by DCAPE around the 1100 J/kg range across the area severe wind gusts look very possible at times. Can't rule out an instance of large hail if a storm can be maintained and remain discrete. This window will likely last through part of the evening before the PBL begins to stabilize once again. After this evening, could see a few showers or early morning storms on Monday with isentropic responses in effect. After these dissipate, the heat should increase quickly and very noticeably lasting for much of the week as heights over the area build and H85 temperatures increase into the mid to upper 20C range. There is some variation and spread amongst longer range guidance but mean probabilities do hint at higher than average levels which points to overall heat concerns going into the longer range time frame. Whether there is some relief in the heat once it begins or not depends on how strong and semipermanent the ridge will become. There is some hint that the ridge begins to flatten by the end of the week leading to shower and storms by Thursday evening and Friday time frame. This would potentially allow for precipitation to develop along a weak cold front but right now this outcome doesn't have a concensus agreement. Again, several days of heat appear to be the most likely scenario for the week ahead. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Sunday afternoon) Issued at 1228 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023 Should remain mostly VFR conditions through the period outside of any showers or storms this afternoon into early evening that either form over or in the vicinity of the terminals. Expecting showers and storms to remain isolated this afternoon into the evening but there is a low chance for more scattered activity to develop so have just mentioned in a TEMPO group. Winds generally light and variable out of the WSW through the period outside of any outflows form nearby storms this afternoon. && .TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && DISCUSSION...Drake AVIATION...Drake
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Topeka KS 244 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023 KSZ008>012-020>024-026-034>040-054>056-058-059-231945- Republic-Washington-Marshall-Nemaha-Brown-Cloud-Clay-Riley- Pottawatomie-Jackson-Jefferson-Ottawa-Dickinson-Geary-Morris- Wabaunsee-Shawnee-Douglas-Lyon-Osage-Franklin-Coffey-Anderson- 244 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Kansas, east central Kansas, north central Kansas and northeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms continue through this evening. A few of these to be strong to marginally severe and produce wind gusts around 60 MPH and hail around an inch in diameter. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Afternoon heat index values are forecast to peak from 100 to 107 across much of the area from Monday through Thursday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. && More detailed information can be found at: www.weather.gov/media/top/DssPacket.pdf
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
132 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023
KSZ038-221900-
Wabaunsee-
132 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern
Wabaunsee County through 200 PM CDT...
At 131 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles southwest of Belvue, moving southeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 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...
Maple Hill, McFarland and Paxico.
This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 328 and 345.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3890 9616 3915 9635 3918 9628 3918 9627
3921 9623 3920 9621 3921 9618 3919 9618
3919 9614 3916 9609 3915 9609 3914 9604
3912 9603 3913 9601 3911 9600 3911 9599
3909 9595 3906 9595
TIME...MOT...LOC 1831Z 312DEG 23KT 3916 9621
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
STSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
152 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023
KSZ038-221915-
Wabaunsee-
152 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of eastern Wabaunsee
County through 215 PM CDT...
At 151 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles south of Paxico, moving southeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 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...
Alma, Eskridge, McFarland, Harveyville, Paxico and Keene.
This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 331 and 341.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3874 9605 3874 9612 3902 9631 3914 9610
3895 9595 3879 9595
TIME...MOT...LOC 1851Z 325DEG 29KT 3901 9616
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
STSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
216 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023
KSZ038-039-054-055-221945-
Wabaunsee-Shawnee-Lyon-Osage-
216 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southwestern Shawnee,
southern Wabaunsee, northwestern Osage and northeastern Lyon Counties
through 245 PM CDT...
At 215 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 4 miles south of Dover to 4 miles west of
Eskridge to near Volland. Movement was southeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 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.
Locations impacted include...
Alma, Eskridge, Dover, Burlingame, Harveyville and Keene.
This includes Kansas Turnpike between mile markers 152 and 164.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3876 9581 3868 9605 3876 9630 3903 9643
3904 9633 3897 9615 3904 9594
TIME...MOT...LOC 1915Z 334DEG 29KT 3890 9594 3888 9619 3897 9637
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
STSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
241 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023
KSZ038-054-055-222015-
Wabaunsee-Lyon-Osage-
241 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Wabaunsee, southwestern Osage and northeastern Lyon Counties through
315 PM CDT...
At 241 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Admire, moving south at 35 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...
Harveyville, Reading, Allen and Admire.
This includes Kansas Turnpike between mile markers 134 and 156.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3874 9624 3880 9594 3846 9580 3842 9615
TIME...MOT...LOC 1941Z 344DEG 29KT 3869 9607
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
STSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
258 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023
KSZ008-222030-
Republic-
258 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Republic
County through 330 PM CDT...
At 257 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 5
miles north of Belleville, moving southeast 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...
Belleville, Cuba, Munden and Agenda.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4000 9755 3975 9739 3966 9737 3965 9766
4000 9784
TIME...MOT...LOC 1957Z 330DEG 24KT 3990 9765
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
STThe Grand Island radar (KUEX), 88 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:32 UTC.
6 hail, 3 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Dispatch reported a couple of trees blown down across a road in town.
Video of a small brief land spout type tornado was provided. The eyewitness said the feature lasted around one minute as best they could tell. No known damage.
Quarter sized hail reported.
Hail covering the ground with hail diameter up to 2 inches in size.
Golf ball sized hail reported in Blue Rapids.
Hail covering the ground with sizes up to half dollars.
Golf ball sized hail reported.
Wind gust of 70 mph reported.
Half dollar sized hail reported.
Several tree limbs about six inches in diameter blown down.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kansas in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Kansas, 2023Warnings 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: 1124704, 1102948, 1124705, 1124706, 1124707, 1124708, 1124709, 1124711, 1124713, 1124716.