Extreme to exceptional drought continued across the region, but much rainfall during the month led to some improvement in the drought conditions by the end of the month.
Every event with a place to put it; 26 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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.
Extreme to exceptional drought continued across the region, but much rainfall during the month led to some improvement in the drought conditions by the end of the month.
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 May 31, 9:58 PM CST, 2 hours 2 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 1058 PM CDT Wed May 31 2023 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday night) Issued at 306 PM CDT Wed May 31 2023 In the upper levels on a regional scale have what appears to be an MCV over northwest MO with another similar feature over Western OK. Meanwhile, a more subtle upper impulse looks to be over Central KS, moving into northeast KS, and is likely associated with last night's convection. On a larger scale, water vapor imagery shows a piece of energy lifting northeast across northeast NM with a southern stream jet nosing into Baja. Much further off shore, water vapor also shows another upper circulation. Storms developed this afternoon over the Flint Hills along what looked to be an outflow boundary with additional storms now developing further north likely associated with the subtle upper circulation. So for the remainder of the afternoon and early evening feel that the bulk of the convection will be generally east of I-135, which is also where our better dewpoints and instability are situated. Just like last several days, more widespread storms will be coming off of the High Plains tonight, especially across the TX Panhandle into Western OK. For Thu, think we will see more convection that we have seen so far today as much of the area will be under the right entrance region of a north-south oriented upper jet. In addition, whether it's the result of convection or not, most models are lifting an upper impulse across central KS on Thu. Will also help that mid levels remain unseasonably cool and thus we will be uncapped by early afternoon. Would also expect some of this activity to linger into the evening hours as we maintain some decent 850-700mb moisture transport. By Fri morning, the upper circulation, that is currently a ways off of Baja, will be tracking over Sonora with a strong upper jet lifting into NM. These two features will result in widespread convection Fri afternoon from the TX Panhandle into Southwest KS with this activity spreading northeast for Fri night into Sat morning. Confidence is increasing that the Fri night-Sat time frame is when we should see our most widespread showers and storms. With PW's running around 125-150% of normal through the weekend, high rainfall rates will be likely with any of the stronger storms. .LONG TERM...(Sunday through Wednesday) Issued at 306 PM CDT Wed May 31 2023 Both ECMWF and GFS agree that upper ridging will be in place from the Northern Plains into the Upper Mississippi Valley by Sun morning. Meanwhile, a weak upper trough will extend from the central Rockies down into the Southern Plains. This will keep some shower and storm chances in for at least the western half of Kansas to start the work week with lower chances over our forecast area. Temps look to remain close to or a few degrees above seasonal normals through these extended periods. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Thursday night) Issued at 1058 PM CDT Wed May 31 2023 Isolated TSRA over the Flint Hills have all but dissipated. So expect VFR conditions for the overnight hours. there could be a few isolated SHRA/TSRA try to develop just west of KGBD or KRSL but predictability is too low to include a mention in the Tafs. A more significant and widespread SHRA/TSRA chance exists on Wed for the afternoon hours. So plan on going with VCTS for most locations for this chance, as an impulse lifts northeast out of OK into KS. Expect Tempo groups to be placed into later Tafs for gusty winds and MVFR vsbys near TSRA. Ketcham && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Wichita-KICT 66 82 64 83 / 20 40 20 50 Hutchinson 65 81 62 83 / 20 40 30 60 Newton 65 82 63 83 / 20 40 20 50 ElDorado 65 83 64 83 / 20 40 20 50 Winfield-KWLD 65 84 64 85 / 20 30 20 50 Russell 64 80 61 83 / 30 40 40 70 Great Bend 64 78 61 81 / 30 40 40 60 Salina 66 82 63 86 / 20 40 30 60 McPherson 65 82 61 83 / 20 40 30 60 Coffeyville 65 86 64 86 / 20 20 10 40 Chanute 65 85 64 86 / 20 20 20 50 Iola 64 86 64 86 / 20 20 20 50 Parsons-KPPF 65 85 64 86 / 20 20 10 50 && .ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...RBL LONG TERM...RBL AVIATION...Ketcham
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wichita KS 410 PM CDT Wed May 31 2023 KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-010830- 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- 410 PM CDT Wed May 31 2023 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of Central Kansas, South Central Kansas and Southeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...Tonight A few storms will be possible mainly early this evening for areas along and east of Interstate 135. After 2 am, a few storms will be possible for locations west of Interstate 135. The stronger storms will be capable of dime to quarter size hail along with 50 mph winds. In addition, the stronger storms will produce high rainfall rates. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday Scattered storms will be possible Thursday with storms becoming more numerous for Friday night into Saturday. While widespread severe storms are not anticipated, a few storms could produce dime to quarter size hail along with 50 mph winds. In addition, the stronger activity will produce high rainfall rates that could lead to some very localized flooding. .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
704 PM CDT Wed May 31 2023
KSZ052-010030-
Marion KS-
704 PM CDT Wed May 31 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Marion
County through 730 PM CDT...
At 703 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Durham, or 6 miles north of Hillsboro. This storm was nearly
stationary.
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...
Lincolnville, Durham, Tampa, Lost Springs, Marion Lake and Pilsen.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
If on or near Marion County Lake, get out of the water and move
indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to
10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you
are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter
now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
this storm passes.
&&
LAT...LON 3852 9693 3852 9682 3847 9682 3833 9715
3849 9726 3861 9702 3861 9693
TIME...MOT...LOC 0003Z 027DEG 2KT 3844 9716
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BUTLERSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
857 PM CDT Wed May 31 2023
KSZ069-093-010230-
Butler KS-Cowley KS-
857 PM CDT Wed May 31 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Cowley
and southeastern Butler Counties through 930 PM CDT...
At 857 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Latham, or 13 miles south of Leon, moving north 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.
Locations impacted include...
Atlanta and Latham.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3745 9680 3766 9675 3761 9652 3751 9652
3740 9662
TIME...MOT...LOC 0157Z 200DEG 14KT 3750 9669
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
BUTLERThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
26 drought. Local standard time, as filed.
Exceptional Drought (D4) continued across the county.
Exceptional Drought (D4) continued across the county.
Exceptional Drought (D4) continued across the county.
Exceptional drought (D4) continued over the southern half of the county, while extreme drought (D3) continued across the northern half.
Extreme drought (D3) continued across the region.
Extreme drought (D3) continued across the region.
Extreme drought (D3) continued across the region.
Extreme drought (D3) continued across the southern portion of county during the month of June. Severe drought (D2) was found elsewhere.
Extreme drought (D3) continued over the northwest portions of the county, with Severe Drought (D2) found elsewhere.
Exceptional drought (D4) during the first part of the month, improved to Extreme drought (D3) due to much needed rainfall during the rest of the month.
Exceptional drought (D4) during the first part of the month, improved to Extreme drought (D3) due to much needed rainfall during the rest of the month.
Exceptional drought (D4) during the first part of the month, improved to Extreme drought (D3) due to much needed rainfall during the rest of the month.
Exceptional drought (D4) during the first part of the month, improved to Extreme drought (D3) due to much needed rainfall during the rest of the month.
Exceptional drought (D4) during the first part of the month, improved to Extreme drought (D3) over the western half of the county, due to much needed rainfall during the rest of the month. Wichita Eisenhower National Airport recorded near normal rainfall of 4.70 inches for the month.
Extreme drought (D3) continued across the northern half of the county, with Exceptional Drought (D4) across the southern half of the county.
Exceptional drought (D4), during the first part of the month, improved to Extreme drought (D3) due to much needed rainfall during the rest of the month.
Exceptional drought (D4) during the first part of the month, improved to Extreme drought (D3) due to much needed rainfall during the rest of the month.
Extreme drought (D3) continued across the region.
Extreme drought (D3) continued across the western portion of county, with severe drought (D2) found elsewhere.
Extreme drought (D3) continued across the southern portion of county with severe drought (D2) found elsewhere.
Exceptional drought (D4) during the first part of the month, improved to Extreme drought (D3) due to much needed rainfall during the rest of the month.
Exceptional drought (D4) during the first part of the month, improved to Extreme drought (D3) due to much needed rainfall during the rest of the month.
Extreme drought (D3) continued across the southwest portion of county during the month of May. Severe drought (D2) was found elsewhere.
Extreme drought (D3) improved to Severe drought (D2) for much of the county, due to much needed rainfall during the first half of the month.
Extreme drought (D3) expanded across the entire county during the month, due to continued below normal rainfall.
Extreme drought (D3) expanded over the northern half of the county, due to continued below normal rainfall. Chanute airport only recorded 3.5 inches of rainfall for the month, which is 2.12 inches below normal.
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, June 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: 1104765, 1104766, 1104767, 1104768, 1104769, 1104770, 1104771, 1104772, 1104773, 1104774, 1104775, 1104776, 1104777, 1104778, 1104779, 1104780, 1104781, 1104782, 1104783, 1104784, 1104785, 1104786, 1104787, 1104788, 1104789, 1104790.