An intense low pressure system tracked across the Plains on March 31st, 2023. South central and southeast Kansas reported wind gusts in the 55 to 70 mph range, which caused tree and structure damage.
Every event with a place to put it; 16 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.
An intense low pressure system tracked across the Plains on March 31st, 2023. South central and southeast Kansas reported wind gusts in the 55 to 70 mph range, which caused tree and structure damage. These winds made grass fires very difficult to control. Dry conditions with a recently tilled field combined with the strong winds resulted in dirt to be picked up in Labette County.
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 Mar 31, 5:05 AM CST, 6 hours 10 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 605 AM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023 .SHORT TERM...(Today through Saturday night) Issued at 242 AM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023 Water vapor imagery shows a powerful shortwave rotating across WY with a vort lobe extending down into the Southern Rockies. Meanwhile, a very strong upper jet is moving into the southern High Plains. At the surface, deep low pressure is centered over south central Nebraska with a dryline extending south from the low across western KS. Currently keeping an eye on far southeast KS for some possible elevated convection in the 12-14z range as a dry punch near the 850mb level moves through. If storms would be able to develop, there would be around 1500-2000 J/KG of CAPE to work with along with plenty of shear. Shortwave and associated vort lobe/upper jet will translate east today and by this afternoon the main upper low will be situated over north central Nebraska with the surface low over far western IA. At the same time, the dryline will be surging across central and eastern KS. This will setup extremely deep mixing this afternoon to the 500-600mb range which will setup one of the better wind signals we have seen in a long time for the Flint Hills into southeast KS. These are the type of conditions usually seen over the High Plains, not this far east. Previous forecast had sustained winds this afternoon across south central and southeast KS in the 30-40 mph with gusts 50 to 60 mph and this continues to look reasonable. Blowing dust will also be an issue, possibly as far east as the Flint Hills. Confidence is low on if it will make it as far east as southeast KS. By late tonight, upper low will be located over northeast IA and will be moving into the western Great Lakes region by Sat morning. At the surface, high pressure will slide over the region for Sat, providing much lighter winds and cooler conditions. .LONG TERM...(Sunday through Thursday) Issued at 242 AM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023 Upper pattern will become more zonal starting Sunday with one weak impulse tracking across the southern Plains and another series of waves tracking from the northern Rockies through the Northern Plains. There is then good model agreement in another trough digging across the Great Basin and into the Central Rockies Monday night. This system looks to take a more northerly track and provide a winter event for Nebraska into the Northern Plains for Tue into Wed. The main effect from the system for our forecast area looks again to be strong winds Tue afternoon and evening. Above normal temps look likely for Sun-Tue with much colder readings anticipated for Wed into Thu. && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Saturday morning) Issued at 555 AM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023 MVFR/IFR cigs are quickly begin pushed eastward by an advancing dryline, and clearing skies should be over the I-135 corridor after 13Z this morning. A few showers and storms may impact southeast Kansas (incl. KCNU) through 15Z before quickly moving eastward. VFR cigs are expected over KCNU after 15Z. Strong winds westerly winds are expected after 15Z area-wide, and wind gusts are expected to exceed 50 to 60 mph this afternoon, especially across south-central and southeast Kansas. Visibilities may be reduced at times due to blowing dust through 01Z this evening. Winds should decrease by 01Z area wide, and winds will gradually shift to out of the northwest with gusts around 25 to 35 knots. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 242 AM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023 Extremely critical fire weather conditions are expected this afternoon into the early evening. Very impressive wind signal will setup this afternoon and early evening across south central KS and especially from the Flint Hills into southeast KS. By around noon we are looking for southwest and eventually west winds in the 30-40 mph range with gusts 50-60 mph. The highest gusts are anticipated east of I-135 and southeast of the KS Turnpike. Very dry air will also make its way east today as a dryline surges east. By noon we are looking for RH values in the 15-20% range for locations along and west of I-135 with most of the area seeing RH's around 15% by 3 pm. Any fire that develops will be extremely difficult to control. Not only is the GFDI at its highest levels for this afternoon, but the RFTI(Red Flag Threat Index) is also maxing out in these same locations. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Wichita-KICT 74 37 64 45 / 10 0 0 0 Hutchinson 69 34 63 45 / 0 0 0 0 Newton 71 35 62 45 / 10 0 0 0 ElDorado 74 35 63 44 / 10 0 0 0 Winfield-KWLD 75 38 64 43 / 10 0 0 0 Russell 64 29 65 46 / 10 0 0 0 Great Bend 66 31 65 45 / 10 0 0 0 Salina 69 33 63 46 / 0 0 0 0 McPherson 69 33 62 45 / 10 0 0 0 Coffeyville 78 39 63 41 / 20 0 0 0 Chanute 78 37 62 41 / 30 0 0 0 Iola 77 36 60 40 / 30 0 0 0 Parsons-KPPF 78 38 62 40 / 30 0 0 0 && .ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for KSZ032-033-047>052- 067-068-082-091. Wind Advisory until 1 PM CDT this afternoon for KSZ053-069>072- 083-092>096-098>100. High Wind Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 7 PM CDT this evening for KSZ053-069>072-083-092>096-098>100. && SHORT TERM...RBL LONG TERM...RBL AVIATION...JC FIRE WEATHER...RBL
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wichita KS 622 AM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023 KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-010930- 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- 622 AM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of Central Kansas, South Central Kansas and Southeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight A couple storms may develop this morning over the Flint Hills into southeast Kansas. If storms can develop, hail to quarter size will be possible with the stronger storms. Very strong southwest and west winds will overspread the area this afternoon and early evening. See latest winds advisory and high wind warning for additional details. Strong winds may also result in some blowing dust this afternoon and early evening. Strong winds will combine with low relative humidity to produce critical fire weather conditions this afternoon and early evening. Any fire that develops today or early this evening will be very difficult to nearly impossible to control. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Very high grassland fire danger will be in place across most of the area for Sunday afternoon. Outdoor burning is not recommended Sunday. Another volatile fire weather day is anticipated for Tuesday afternoon and early evening. Storms will be possible for extreme southeast Kansas on Tuesday afternoon. Severe storms will be possible with this activity. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated today or 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
652 AM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023
KSZ069-070-093-094-311215-
Butler KS-Cowley KS-Greenwood KS-Elk KS-
652 AM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Elk, northeastern
Cowley, southeastern Butler and southwestern Greenwood Counties
through 715 AM CDT...
At 651 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Burden, or 15 miles northeast of Winfield, moving northeast at 80
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...
Eureka, Howard, Burden, Severy, Grenola, Atlanta, Latham, Cambridge,
Climax, Beaumont, Winfield City Lake and Piedmont.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3722 9679 3739 9694 3787 9633 3747 9598
TIME...MOT...LOC 1151Z 237DEG 72KT 3736 9675
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CUELLARSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
713 AM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023
KSZ069-070-093-094-311245-
Butler KS-Cowley KS-Greenwood KS-Elk KS-
713 AM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Elk,
northeastern Cowley, southeastern Butler and southwestern Greenwood
Counties through 745 AM CDT...
At 712 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Atlanta, or 18 miles northeast of Winfield, moving northeast at 60
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...
Burden, Atlanta, Latham, Cambridge, Piedmont and Beaumont.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3727 9671 3737 9683 3777 9644 3754 9614
TIME...MOT...LOC 1212Z 228DEG 51KT 3738 9671
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CUELLARSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
738 AM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023
KSZ071-095-311315-
Wilson KS-Woodson KS-
738 AM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Wilson
and Woodson Counties through 815 AM CDT...
At 738 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 6
miles southeast of Toronto, or 11 miles southwest of Yates Center,
moving northeast at 80 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...
Yates Center, Neosho Falls, Coyville, Toronto Lake, Batesville, Rose,
Piqua and Cross Timbers State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3761 9586 3770 9596 3774 9596 3804 9578
3804 9552 3785 9552
TIME...MOT...LOC 1238Z 218DEG 68KT 3774 9586
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CUELLARSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
801 AM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023
KSZ071-072-311330-
Woodson KS-Allen KS-
801 AM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Woodson
and northwestern Allen Counties through 830 AM CDT...
At 800 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Colony, or 8 miles north of Iola, moving northeast at 65 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...
Iola, La Harpe, Gas, Bassett, Iola Airport and Piqua.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3788 9528 3783 9555 3804 9555 3804 9527
TIME...MOT...LOC 1300Z 230DEG 55KT 3805 9542
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
PEARCEThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
14 high wind, 1 wildfire, 1 dust storm. Local standard time, as filed.
Wichita Eisenhower National Airport ASOS measured a wind gust to 58 mph about 30 minutes before the peak gust of 62 mph. A power pole was leaned over into the street near Clearwater as well.
Winds were estimated to be around 60 mph.
A fire started west of the town of El Dorado. There was structure damage to a home, and five sheds were seriously damaged. This fire prompted evacuations in the area and road closures including the exit to the Kansas Turnpike. There was a vehicular accident on a nearby roadway due to smoke in the area which unfortunately resulted in two critical injuries.
Newton City County Airport had a measured gust to 59 mph. The emergency manager reported power lines down in multiple places throughout the county.
Strother Field Airport measured a wind gust to 59 mph.
El Dorado Airport measured a sustained wind speed of 43 mph.
Lt. William M. Milliken Airport near Eureka measured a sustained wind speed of 41 mph.
Winds were estimated to be around 60 mph.
Winds were estimated to be around 60 mph.
Winds were estimated to be around 60 mph.
Chanute Martin Johnson Airport measured a gust to 61 mph.
Coffeyville Municipal Airport measured a wind gust to 61 mph with the peak wind gust of 66 mph a little over an hour later.
Numerous homes had shingles blown off and several buildings had canopies blown off along Main Street in Sedan.
Dispatch reports US Highway 59 was closed due to zero visibility from dust and smoke between Altamont and Parsons. Winds were in excess of 70 mph. Dirt from a recently plowed field was picked up and lofted with these strong winds. Additional debris was blown across the road with trees down and a power pole also down across the road. They have had both cars and tractor-trailers blown off the road. No injuries were reported.
Tri City Airport near Parsons measured a wind gust of 67 mph. Power poles and trees were down across Highway 59 near Altamont. They have had both cars and tractor-trailers blown off the road.
Hutchinson Regional Airport measured a wind gust to 61 mph.
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, March 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: 1088150, 1089149, 1088183, 1088182, 1088155, 1088151, 1088153, 1089152, 1089150, 1089151, 1088180, 1088175, 1088157, 1089141, 1088179, 1088181.