On the night of May 29th, a line of thunderstorms moved across Northwestern Kansas. These thunderstorms produced an isolated wind gust of an estimated 70 mph in the region that caused a 12-inch long tree limb to break off a tree.
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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 night of May 29th, a line of thunderstorms moved across Northwestern Kansas. These thunderstorms produced an isolated wind gust of an estimated 70 mph in the region that caused a 12-inch long tree limb to break off a tree.
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 May 29, 10:51 PM CST, 44 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Goodland KS 1051 PM MDT Mon May 29 2023 .UPDATE... Issued at 836 PM MDT Mon May 29 2023 Storm activity is beginning to turn southeast into the LLJ. Models had been forecasting this to occur, however the placement was 60 miles to the west. The storm activity should be east of Norton and Graham counties by 4 AM CT. The outflow boundary continues to outpace the storm activity. This is lowering confidence the storms will become more intense. In addition there have yet to be any severe wind gusts reported. Therefore confidence is low there will be any severe wind gusts at this point. UPDATE Issued at 531 PM MDT Mon May 29 2023 Storm activity should increase over the next couple hours or so, reaching a peak by mid evening. After that the storms will move out of the forecast area around midnight. Main threats will be damaging straight-line winds once the storms form a line. Prior to forming a line there could be a risk for low end large hail. Flash flooding will also be a threat due to the slow movement. However, given the drier air that is in place flooding should not be as much of a threat as the last few days. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Wednesday night) Issued at 222 PM MDT Mon May 29 2023 Across the Tri State region this afternoon, skies are mainly sunny with some cumulus developing to the west/northwest as some convection developing over portions of northeast Colorado. For the remainder of the afternoon into the evening hours, the latest HRRR and NamNest do show scattered convection forming over northeast portions of Colorado, eventually forming into a weak line, then shifting ESE into the cwa between 21z-00z. The latest SPC outlook does have the much of the area under a Marginal Risk for severe storms, with both wind/hail risks. SBCape values around 1500j/kg up to around 3000j/kg in some area, DCape around 1200j/kg along with decent MUCape as well show the airmass could support some strong to severe storms. Guidance is showing a potential second line to move through the cwa later this evening, with the focus being SW Nebraska, all clearing the cwa by 08z-09z Tuesday. Similar patterns to continue for Tuesday and Wednesday for the region. Chances for showers/storms persist, as guidance has upper level ridging over the cwa giving way to a couple shortwaves that will interact with a surface boundary(s) to trigger storms. Decent PW values continue to push into the area as dewpts remain in the 50s, especially east. The surface boundaries moving east off the Front Range will interact with decent southerly moist flow allowing for late interaction/formation of storms similar to the past several days. Based on past rainfall, the current areas that continue to be most prone to potential flooding will be along/north of Highway 36. While WPC currently does not have an excessive rainfall outlook for these days, the slow movement of storms as seen in past days, look to trigger locally heavy rainfall so thinking localized flooding concerns will be there. WPC has a marginal risk for today. SPC does have a marginal risk for Tue-Wed, so the threats for wind/hail will be there as well. For temps, looking for highs on Tuesday to range in the 80s area- wide, with warmest locales east. On Wednesday with more cloud/precip potential, upper 70s to mid 80s are expected. Overnight lows in the short term remain fairly close each night with mainly 50s expected. Warmest areas east. Some locales along/east of Highway 83 could even see numbers near the 60F mark. .LONG TERM...(Thursday through Monday) Issued at 155 PM MDT Mon May 29 2023 Active weather will continue through the extended periods as an omega block like pattern continues to influence the region, with ridge center slowly retrograding back over the area. Medium range models in decent agreement with the overall pattern although given relatively weak flow/forcing expected confidence in one particular area over another is low. While there will be a persistent threat for severe weather, overall weak flow aloft will limit overall magnitude of severe threat. A more widespread threat will be potential for locally heavy rain and more flooding. Slow storm movement, relatively high precipitable water values and already saturated ground will keep the flooding threat elevated through the period. Temperatures will remain similar to this past week with values around normal. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Tuesday night) Issued at 1047 PM MDT Mon May 29 2023 MVFR to VFR conditions forecast for the TAFs. Moderate rainfall at KMCK will continue for the first part of the TAF then end. Storm activity should remain north of KGLD. After that the focus turns to storm activity for Tuesday afternoon. The storms will move in from the west or southwest. Coverage and intensity will increase around 0z. && .GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KS...NONE. CO...NONE. NE...NONE. && UPDATE...JTL SHORT TERM...JN LONG TERM...JRM AVIATION...JTL
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Goodland KS 949 PM MDT Mon May 29 2023 COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-310400- Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Rawlins-Decatur-Norton-Sherman-Thomas- Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock- Red Willow- 949 PM MDT Mon May 29 2023 /1049 PM CDT Mon May 29 2023/ This hazardous weather outlook is for extreme southwest Nebraska... northwest Kansas and east central Colorado. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT... Flooding is ongoing across portions of southwest Nebraska, from heavy rainfall received tonight. Please see the latest warning products for the latest updated information. Wind gusts up to 60 MPH may occur through midnight with any storms that form north of Highway 36. However confidence is low wind gusts will reach that magnitude. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH MONDAY... There is a marginal risk for severe weather within the region on Tuesday and Wednesday. Possible hazards include severe winds and large hail as well as the continued risk for flooding from heavy rainfall. Please watch for future forecast updates. Chances for showers and thunderstorms look to continue throughout this week and into the weekend. Although severe weather cannot be ruled out, the primary concerns at this time continue to be locally heavy rainfall and the possibility of flooding and flash flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed. JTL
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
801 PM MDT Mon May 29 2023
NEZ079-080-300230-
Hitchcock NE-Dundy NE-
801 PM MDT Mon May 29 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of western Hitchcock
and northeastern Dundy Counties through 830 PM MDT/930 PM CDT/...
At 801 PM MDT/901 PM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm 9 miles south of Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area,
or 15 miles south of Imperial, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel 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 western Hitchcock
and northeastern Dundy Counties, including the following locations...
Max.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4005 10121 4018 10174 4035 10167 4035 10115
TIME...MOT...LOC 0201Z 279DEG 25KT 4029 10159
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
CASpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1002 PM CDT Mon May 29 2023
KSZ002-003-NEZ080-081-300330-
Rawlins KS-Decatur KS-Red Willow NE-Hitchcock NE-
1002 PM CDT Mon May 29 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of eastern Rawlins,
northwestern Decatur, Red Willow and southeastern Hitchcock Counties
through 1030 PM CDT...
At 1001 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 3 miles west of Cambridge to 10 miles northwest
of Ludell. Movement was southeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...At 952 PM the McCook Airport reported 56 mph wind gusts.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Ludell.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4000 10019 3965 10113 3995 10127 4035 10024
4035 10020
TIME...MOT...LOC 0301Z 294DEG 16KT 4027 10023 3996 10110
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
CAPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
907 PM MDT MON MAY 29 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0843 PM TSTM WND GST 1 E MCCOOK 40.21N 100.59W
05/29/2023 M56 MPH RED WILLOW NE ASOS
OCCURRED AS THE THUNDERSTORM MOVED OVERHEAD.
&&
JTLSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
957 PM MDT Mon May 29 2023
NEZ079-300445-
Dundy NE-
957 PM MDT Mon May 29 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Dundy
County through 1045 PM MDT...
At 957 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles southwest of Champion, or 16 miles southwest of Imperial,
moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel 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 northern Dundy
County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4012 10133 4022 10190 4035 10191 4035 10132
TIME...MOT...LOC 0357Z 266DEG 21KT 4032 10181
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
KMKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1102 PM CDT Mon May 29 2023
NEZ080-300445-
Hitchcock NE-
1102 PM CDT Mon May 29 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Hitchcock
County through 1145 PM CDT...
At 1102 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles west of Palisade, or 15 miles northwest of Trenton, moving east
at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel 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...
Palisade.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4017 10076 4019 10132 4035 10132 4035 10076
TIME...MOT...LOC 0402Z 266DEG 21KT 4030 10126
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
KMKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1122 PM CDT Mon May 29 2023
KSZ001-300515-
Cheyenne KS-
1122 PM CDT Mon May 29 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Cheyenne County in
northwestern Kansas through 1215 AM CDT...
At 1122 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 5 miles east of Haigler to 10 miles west of St.
Francis. Movement was east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and nickel 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...
St. Francis and Bird City.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3960 10141 3971 10205 4000 10205 4000 10141
TIME...MOT...LOC 0422Z 280DEG 24KT 4000 10184 3977 10199
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
KMKThe Goodland radar (KGLD), 72 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 05:37 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Report received of a 12-inch tree limb breaking off of a tree at location. Time is radar approximated.
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, May 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: 1099334.