Kansas was on the backside of an upper level trough with an upper ridge over most of the western half of the country. Temperatures were in the 80s and 90s during the afternoon hours across north central Kansas.
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 GID wrote it up.
Kansas was on the backside of an upper level trough with an upper ridge over most of the western half of the country. Temperatures were in the 80s and 90s during the afternoon hours across north central Kansas. Dewpoints were in the 50s and 60s during the afternoon, and MUCAPE values were around 1000 to 2000 J/kg during the afternoon. Effective wind shear was generally around 35 to 45 knots. Low-level lapse rates were generally 7 to 9 degrees C/km. DCAPE values were in excess of 1000 J/kg. These conditions resulted in storms with severe wind gusts to develop.
Storms developed across northern and western Nebraska earlier in the day and moved southeastward. One of these storms moved south into north central Kansas and produced a severe wind gust in Smith County after 9:30 PM CDT. This same storm kept moving south and produced another severe wind gust in Osborne County after 10:30 PM CDT.
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 Hastings, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 19, 5:03 PM CST, 3 hours 32 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Hastings NE 603 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Slight to Enhanced risk for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and early evening, with overall greatest risk focused SW of the Tri-Cities. - Additional off and on scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible overnight into Saturday AM for parts of the area - Periodic small chances (10-40%) for mostly non-severe thunderstorms will be possible Saturday afternoon into early next week. Temperatures will also remain below normal through at least Tuesday. - Warmer temperatures (80s to lower 90s) and dry weather are anticipated for the latter half of next week. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 314 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2024 Main risk for severe weather has sped up compared to expectations 12-24 hrs ago, thanks in large part to outflow from last night's thunderstorms over northern Nebraska. The earlier arrival will likely lead to smaller area of concern given less time for destabilization. Per latest mesoanalysis, greatest concern will be SW of the Tri-Cities where they managed to warm into the low 90s amidst dew points in the mid 60s. Combination of strong instability and seasonably strong effective shear 40-45kt (despite overall weak mid level flow) is supporting ongoing supercell just NW of Cambridge. Latest experimental WoFS supports the conceptual model of upscale growth over the next hr, which will only incr the wind potential for Furnas Co down through Phillips and Rooks over the next 1-2 hrs. Very steep low level lapse rates near 9 C/km, sfc T-Td depressions around 30 degrees, and DCAPE values in excess of 1000 J/kg ahead of the convection argues for decent potential of sig severe wind gusts of 70-80 MPH within this narrow corridor. Contrast the hot/humid SW zones with the Highway 81 corridor having air temps in the 70s and Tds in the 50s and it's pretty easy to see why severe threat should be lower in this direction. Can't completely rule out a marginally severe storm, but weaker lapse rates should really limit this to iso and brief. With the earlier start time that should give a large chunk of the forecast area more dryness for the evening hours. Additional off and on scattered showers and non-severe thunderstorms will be possible overnight as a vort lobe, perhaps convectively enhanced by ongoing convection, pivots over the area within very weak upper flow. Continued deep layer moisture convergence will present at least an isolated chance pretty much anywhere, but the scattered coverage should favor more towards SE half. As for the weekend, think there will be chances for iso shwrs/storms both afternoons, though this risk will really depend on how ongoing convection plays out as that will determine how far south the moisture/instability is pushed out. Tend to think the slight chcs will favor E and S portions of the forecast area, but no one will see a complete washout by any means. The broad troughing aloft and NErly low level flow will lead to seasonably cool/less humid conditions for the weekend with highs in the 70s/80s and lows in the upper 50s to lower 60s. More opportunities to open up the windows at night! Heading into next week, NNW upper flow will continue for several days, steering multiple weak disturbances across the local area along with helping to maintain seasonably cool temperatures (70s and lower 80s) a couple more days. Later in the week, the upper level ridge across the western interior is forecast to expand eastward, helping bump up temperatures to near and eventually above climatology by the end of the week in addition to promoting a return to less unsettled (dry) weather across the local area. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 552 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2024 Lots of uncertainty for tonight's convection as models are all over for TSRA placement and timing. The 21z HRRR is initializing the best with what is currently on radar. The 21z HRRR brings in some convection overnight and lingers it over GRI. Debated about a TEMPO for GRI, but decided against one as none of the other models have anything similar to the HRRR, will AMD as needed.Winds will become northerly tomorrow morning and EAR is looking like gusts in the upper teens currently. && .GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NE...None. KS...None. && DISCUSSION...Thies AVIATION...Beda
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Hastings NE 713 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2024 KSZ005>007-017>019-NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087- 201200- Phillips-Smith-Jewell-Rooks-Osborne-Mitchell-Valley-Greeley-Nance- Sherman-Howard-Merrick-Polk-Dawson-Buffalo-Hall-Hamilton-York- Gosper-Phelps-Kearney-Adams-Clay-Fillmore-Furnas-Harlan-Franklin- Webster-Nuckolls-Thayer- 713 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Nebraska and portions of north central Kansas. .DAY ONE...Tonight. A scattering of thunderstorms will be noted through the night across south central Nebraska and north central Kansas. Coverage will be limited, though should increase some during the overnight hours. In general, severe weather is not expected, though a rogue strong to severe storm is not out of the question. The main hazards would be gusty winds of 50 to 60 mph and some hail, though even that looks to be limited in nature. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Periodic...primarily non-severe...small chances for thunderstorms will be possible across the local area this weekend and continuing through Tuesday of next week. Warmer and drier weather is anticipated for the latter half of the week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...report any instances of hail and/or severe wind gusts that might occur this evening. && More information may be obtained at the following web page: https://www.weather.gov/hastings
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hastings NE
800 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0743 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 SW Bladen 40.31N 98.61W
07/19/2024 M55 MPH Webster NE Public
&&
NOAA/NWS/MORITZSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
826 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2024
KSZ006-007-200215-
Jewell KS-Smith KS-
826 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN JEWELL AND
NORTHEASTERN SMITH COUNTIES THROUGH 915 PM CDT...
At 824 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Cowles to near Inavale to near Riverton.
Movement was south at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and pea 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...
Smith Center, Mankato, Lebanon, Burr Oak, Esbon, and Bellaire.
The storms in southern Nebraska could hold together long enough to
produce strong winds across northern Smith and Jewell counties. A
gusty wind of 30-40 mph may precede the actual thunderstorm winds.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These storms 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 3977 9887 4000 9896 4000 9832 3981 9817
3969 9849
TIME...MOT...LOC 0124Z 347DEG 19KT 4011 9845 4006 9860 4012 9881
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
MoritzPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hastings NE
827 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0811 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 W Red Cloud 40.09N 98.56W
07/19/2024 M59 MPH Webster NE Law Enforcement
&&
NOAA/NWS/MORITZSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
857 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2024
NEZ041-047-048-200245-
Merrick NE-Nance NE-Howard NE-
857 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN NANCE...WEST
CENTRAL MERRICK AND NORTHEASTERN HOWARD COUNTIES THROUGH 945 PM
CDT...
At 857 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Cushing, or 25 miles north of Grand Island, moving southeast at 20
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 hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Palmer, Cushing, and Archer.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4122 9792 4102 9826 4132 9847 4139 9835
4139 9832
TIME...MOT...LOC 0157Z 319DEG 18KT 4128 9833
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
MoritzPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hastings NE
920 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0811 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 5 NNE Inavale 40.17N 98.61W
07/19/2024 M59 MPH Webster NE Law Enforcement
&&
NOAA/NWS/MORITZSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
930 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2024
KSZ006-007-200315-
Jewell KS-Smith KS-
930 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN JEWELL AND SMITH
COUNTIES THROUGH 1015 PM CDT...
At 930 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Lebanon to Bellaire to 6 miles northeast of
Athol. Movement was south at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph will be common.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Smith Center, Lebanon, Gaylord, Harlan, and Bellaire.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3957 9843 3957 9889 3989 9889 3999 9878
3998 9861 3992 9846
TIME...MOT...LOC 0230Z 352DEG 18KT 3983 9855 3980 9868 3986 9887
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
MoritzThe Grand Island radar (KUEX), 67 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:35 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A wind gust of 62 MPH was measured by the Smith Center Airport AWOS. Social media reports noted tree damage across town, and that about 20 percent of the town lost power.
A wind gust of 58 MPH was measured by the Kansas State Mesonet station located one mile north-northwest of Osborne.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kansas in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Kansas, July 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: 1191526, 1191528.