A powerful upper level low pressure system moved out across the Plains during the evening of April 15th and the early morning hours of Tuesday April 16th. Storms developed ahead of an advancing cold front across Oklahoma into the Flint Hills of Kansas after midnight.
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 ICT wrote it up.
A powerful upper level low pressure system moved out across the Plains during the evening of April 15th and the early morning hours of Tuesday April 16th. Storms developed ahead of an advancing cold front across Oklahoma into the Flint Hills of Kansas after midnight. Around 4AM one of the storms started to show low level rotation as it moved into southern Greenwood County and shortly after produced an EF-1 tornado southeast and east of Eureka.
A few hours later, a line storms along the cold front moved into the Flint Hills with a brief but strong tornado occurring south of Virgil. This tornado was rated an EF-2 with damage including steel purlins being bent along with a large outbuilding ripped from its foundation. Luckily there were no injuries of fatalities with these tornadoes.
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 Apr 16, 2:59 AM CST, 22 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 359 AM CDT Tue Apr 16 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Showers and storms tracking east this morning. - Strong winds and warm today. - 15-30% chances for showers and storms this afternoon in NC KS. - Chances for strong/severe storms Thursday. - Much cooler (below normal temperatures) by the weekend. && .MESOSCALE... Issued at 350 AM CDT Tue Apr 16 2024 We're expecting scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms to continue advancing east-northeast across generally the eastern half of Kansas through early this morning (through about 9 AM or so), along and ahead of an approaching potent upper shortwave and associated Pacific cold front. Strengthening effective deep layer shear owing to an approaching mid-level speed max amidst steep mid- level lapse rates and strong instability will favor strong to marginally severe storms. A rather messy storm mode is anticipated given the widespread coverage and increasingly unfavorable hodograph shape, with not everyone seeing severe weather. Still, thinking the strongest cores will be capable of dime-quarter size hail and 50-60 mph winds, along with locally heavy rain. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 350 AM CDT Tue Apr 16 2024 Challenges: 1) Precipitation chances 2) Temperatures on Thursday Changes: 1) Increased temps today 2) Precipitation chances 3) Wind Advisory from 9AM-7PM Synoptically there is a ridge stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to Lake Huron with a trough for the western portions of the CONUS. A low pressure system within an embedded shortwave of the upper trough will deepen as it tracks northeast into the north Central Plains early today as it heads towards the upper Mississippi River Valley tonight. The tight gradient associated with this system should result in sustained wind speeds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts near 45 mph; even the ensembles are highlighting the higher wind potential compared to what is typical for this time of year. This has prompted the issuance of a Wind Advisory from this morning until early evening; winds should diminish quickly in the latter part of the afternoon from south to north. As this system pushes off to the northeast, there could be wrap around precipitation (showers and storms) in north central Kansas this afternoon, but they may stay off to the north which is why the 15-30% chances were tweaked/shifted. Daytime highs were bumped up a touch from the previous forecast with values in the upper 70s to lower 80s or 10 to 15 degrees above seasonal normals; similar values are anticipated for Wednesday. A surging dryline will usher in drier air through the day. The combination of the drier air and higher temps lead to elevated grassland fire danger in the very high category mainly along and west of Interstate 135 or a line from Saline to western Marion to western Harper counties and points west. A shortwave will move through late Wednesday into Thursday. There is some instability and shear which could lead to potential for strong to marginally severe thunderstorms even in the early morning hours into the afternoon. A decent cold front associated with this system means a stark contrast in daytime high temperatures from the upper 50s in north central Kansas to around 80 degrees in southeast Kansas. The timing of the cooler air could swing temperatures in one direction or another. Gusty northerly winds behind the front are anticipated as well which could approach Wind Advisory criteria briefly. This cooler air will settle in for the end of the week into the weekend with daytime highs dropping back below seasonal normal by 5 to 15 degrees with high pressure moving in. A subtle feature is noted for late Friday into Saturday has led to 20-40% chances for showers. Overnight temperatures especially in north central Kansas may touch freezing Sunday morning and a frost headline; if you have sensitive outdoor plants, you will want to continue to check the forecast and plan to protect them as needed. Models are hinting at a wave at the start of next week, but the model timing isn't currently in line. There does appear to be a warming trend at the start of next week though with highs back in the 70s. && .AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 1238 AM CDT Tue Apr 16 2024 Main aviation concerns will be overnight storms along with strong winds on Tue afternoon. Storms are developing along the cold front over west-central KS and are gradually tracking east. Meanwhile a few additional storms have developed across west-central OK and southern KS in an area of strong mid level warm advection. Current thinking is that the warm advection activity will remain fairy isolated with the best storm coverage associated with the cold front convection. Confidence still remains highest across central KS affecting KRSL-KGBD-KSLN. The best chance for southern KS to see sct to widespread activity would be for the storms developing across far western OK to continuing lifting to the northeast, which many of the short term models are forecasting. Surface low will be situated over central/eastern Nebraska by early Tue morning with gusty southwest and west winds overspreading the area. Locations along and east of I-135 should see gusts in the 40-45 mph range. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 350 AM CDT Tue Apr 16 2024 Very high fire danger is expected along a line from Saline to Marion to western Harvey and points west mainly this afternoon with winds at 20 to 30 mph and gusts near 45 mph as drier air pushes. Minimum relative humidities will be around 30%. There is a chance for scattered showers and storms in north central Kansas this afternoon though too. && .ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Wind Advisory from 9 AM this morning to 7 PM CDT this evening for KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100. && MESOSCALE...ADK DISCUSSION...VJP AVIATION...RBL FIRE WEATHER...VJP
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wichita KS 335 PM CDT Mon Apr 15 2024 KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-162045- 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- 335 PM CDT Mon Apr 15 2024 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of Central Kansas, South Central Kansas and Southeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...Tonight Strong south winds will gust to 45 mph at times, especially along and west of I-135, through early tonight. Severe thunderstorms are possible after dark this evening through early tonight for locations generally west of a Lincoln to Lyons to Turon line. The storms will be capable of baseball size hail, damaging winds to 75 mph, and tornadoes. Later tonight, mainly after midnight, the risk for strong to severe storms will shift eastward across the rest of central, south central and southeast Kansas. This activity will be capable of 50 to 70 mph winds, dime to quarter size hail, and a brief tornado. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Strong west to southwest winds gusting up to around 40 mph will fuel very high grassland fire danger Tuesday for areas mainly west of a Salina to Hutchinson to Kingman line. Isolated thunderstorms are possible Tuesday afternoon in central Kansas. Small hail and gusty winds to 50 mph will be possible. There is another chance for strong to severe storms Thursday, mainly in the morning, across portions of south central and southeast Kansas. Check later outlooks for more details. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed after 8 PM this evening, mainly west of I-135. && For a graphical version of this information, see our webpage at: https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=ict
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
122 AM CDT Tue Apr 16 2024
KSZ052-068-069-083-160645-
Butler KS-Harvey KS-Marion KS-Sedgwick KS-
122 AM CDT Tue Apr 16 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN SEDGWICK...
SOUTHEASTERN HARVEY...NORTHWESTERN BUTLER AND SOUTHEASTERN MARION
COUNTIES THROUGH 145 AM CDT...
At 122 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Kechi, or near Bel Aire, moving northeast at 60 mph.
HAZARD...Penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Park City, Bel Aire, Benton, Whitewater, Kechi, Potwin, Elbing, and
Burns.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 135 between Mile Markers 15 and 16.
Interstate 35 between Mile Markers 88 and 90.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3780 9735 3822 9705 3812 9684 3809 9684
3809 9678 3802 9664 3776 9719
TIME...MOT...LOC 0622Z 223DEG 52KT 3785 9719
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
CUELLARSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Wichita KS 149 AM CDT Tue Apr 16 2024 KSZ092-093-160715- Cowley KS-Sumner KS- 149 AM CDT Tue Apr 16 2024 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL COWLEY AND SOUTHEASTERN SUMNER COUNTIES THROUGH 215 AM CDT... At 149 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Braman, or 11 miles southeast of Caldwell, moving northeast at 55 mph. HAZARD...Nickel size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. Locations impacted include... Arkansas City, Winfield, Oxford, South Haven, Geuda Springs, Hunnewell, and Strother Field Airport. This includes Interstate 35 between Mile Markers 1 and 18. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. && LAT...LON 3732 9730 3719 9691 3700 9717 3700 9750 TIME...MOT...LOC 0649Z 214DEG 46KT 3695 9742 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH CUELLAR
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
408 AM CDT Tue Apr 16 2024
KSZ069-070-094-160945-
Butler KS-Greenwood KS-Elk KS-
408 AM CDT Tue Apr 16 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN ELK...EAST CENTRAL
BUTLER AND GREENWOOD COUNTIES THROUGH 445 AM CDT...
At 408 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12
miles west of Severy, or 14 miles southwest of Eureka, moving
northeast at 45 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 hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Eureka, Hamilton, Climax, Eureka City Lake, Beaumont, Eureka Airport,
Thrall, and Piedmont.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3748 9641 3757 9662 3807 9634 3787 9596
TIME...MOT...LOC 0908Z 215DEG 39KT 3765 9646
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
CUELLARThe Wichita radar (KICT), 102 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 09:22 UTC.
2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Damage survey indicated an EF1 tornado with peak estimated wind speeds of 107 mph. There were numerous large trees snapped and uprooted found just south of Fall River.
The damage survey revealed an EF2 tornado with an estimated peak wind speed of 118 mph occurred south of Virgil. There was damage to a farmstead to a large outbuilding that was ripped from its sturdy foundation and had bent steel purlins. Several large trees were snapped and uprooted.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kansas in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Kansas, 2024Warnings in Kansas, April 2024
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: 1165697, 1165698.