Hail and Damaging Winds in Kansas, June 7, 2024

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
416 PM CDT Fri Jun 7 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) Severe thunderstorms this evening
  with damaging straight line winds 60-70 mph the greatest risk.

- Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) also for Saturday evening, as a
  larger thunderstorm complex likely to develop with severe wind
  gusts and a greater probability of 1"+ rainfall across much of
  southwest Kansas (30 to 50% chance).

- Shower and Thunderstorm chances continue, albeit lower, Sunday
  and Monday, but core of highest rainfall likely just south of
  southwest Kansas.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 414 PM CDT Fri Jun 7 2024

** MESOSCALE DISCUSSION **

Surface-based thunderstorms were developing along a leeside
trough axis where boundary layer convergence was greatest within
region of 0-3km AGL lapse rates greater than 9 degC/km. Kansas
State mesonet observations of dewpoints out west were higher
than HRRR, which has a bias of over-mixing dewpoints after a wet
period. For instance, 21Z dewpoints were in the 62-64F range as
far west as a Lakin to Sublette line. Initial thunderstorms were
forming in the drier airmass, but once storms tap in to the
lower to mid 60s dewpoints, we expect the severe weather risk to
increase, especially as individual cells begin to interact and a
cold pool becomes established with damaging straight line winds
being the most likely risk, particularly in the 23Z to 02Z time
frame...which is the most likely 3-hour window for severe across
our forecast area. The new Severe Thunderstorm Watch #396
includes all 27 counties of the NWS DDC forecast area, which
runs through 03Z (10 PM CDT).

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Issued at 237 PM CDT Fri Jun 7 2024

The main forecast challenge will be severity and timing of severe
storms along with precipitation amounts for the first mesoscale
convective system (MCS) event this evening.

Early morning showers and weak thunderstorms moved into central
Kansas early in the afternoon with temperatures recovering into the
mid 80s as far east as Hays to Dodge City. West toward the Colorado
line, afternoon temperatures were warming well into the lower to mid
90s. Dewpoint temperatures were holding on nicely with afternoon
boundary layer mixing not having much impact on lowering
dewpoints...at least through 1830Z. Surface wind convergence along
the leeside trough will continue to strengthen through the afternoon
across far southeast Colorado, which is where initial thunderstorm
development is expected to occur. Most of the convection-allowing
models (CAMs) have the first storms developing in the 20-21Z time
frame (3-4PM CDT) with further development into far southwest and
west central Kansas not long after.

If the surface dewpoints do not mix out as much as the HRRR model
indicates, we will likely see scattered severe storms not long after
convective initiation from Elkhart northeast to Garden City up to
Scott City. Forecast hodographs do support at least some modest
storm organization, including a marginal supercell or two, however
temperature-dewpoint spreads of 35+ degrees (F) will strongly favor
outflow dominant storms and a transition to quasilinear structure(s)
as cold pools become more prevalent. A few wind gusts in the 65 to
70 mph range will be possible, and while a large hail threat will
exist with more discrete storms, the high wet-bulb zero heights and
large evaporative cooling potential early in the event will likely
limit very large hail. If we see storms later in the evening tap
upper 60s dewpoints along/east of Highway 283, the probability of
severe events will ramp up...at least until boundary layer cools off
too much after sunset.

Going in to Saturday, cool northeasterly winds will likely prevail
across much of western Kansas in the wake of tonight/early Saturday
morning's MCSs, therefore the degree of warmup in the afternoon is
at least a little bit in question. The latest NBM 50th percentile
temperatures for Saturday afternoon are in the mid to upper 80s
along and north of the Arkansas River (89 to 93F south), which is a
good forecast for now, because if clouds do clear out, the early
June insolation should help temperatures rebound quickly, despite
the easterly winds. This will set the stage for what looks to be a
fairly impressive MCS later Saturday Night (more on that in the Long
Term section).

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Issued at 237 PM CDT Fri Jun 7 2024

At the onset of this Long Term Period, Saturday evening,
strong/severe thunderstorms will likely be underway across eastern
Colorado about to move into western Kansas. Nearly every model, both
CAM and non-CAM, shows a substantial MCS signal moving across west
central/southwest Kansas, and for that reason, POPs have been
increased to 70-80% for the Saturday Night period. The Storm
Prediction Center has upgraded the severe outlook to a Slight Risk
(Level 2 of 5), but there is some support for an even higher risk
outlook if models continue to show such strong support, backing up
traditional conceptual models of early-mid June western Kansas MCS
patterns. Low level moisture will not be a problem, along with low
level winds from the east-southeast providing long moisture
transport vectors into MCS(s). Much of the DDC CWA is within the
latest WPC QPF of 1"+, including Dodge City and Garden City. The
west-northwest to east-southeast axis of highest QPF is still likely
to shift slightly to the south or north, however any shift will not
likely be by much.

After Saturday Night's system, cooler, more stable air will will
follow on Sunday which will likely push much of Sunday evening's MCS
to the south of our southwest Kansas region. For that reason, POPs
Sunday Night will be highest in the far southwest portion of our
area (Morton County). On Monday/Monday Night, global models are
showing a mid level disturbance in vicinity of southwest Kansas down
into West Texas, which will likely aid in another MCS or two, so
POPs will remain in the forecast (mainly 30-40%). This mid level
weakness will likely then move east/southeast of our forecast area
Tuesday which will result in a drier forecast. Toward the end of
this forecast period, temperatures should warm back up as an upper
level ridge axis expands across New Mexico into southern Colorado
and adjacent West Texas/southwest Kansas

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 1149 AM CDT Fri Jun 7 2024

Small clusters of showers and weak thunderstorms were pushing
east away from DDC and HYS terminals at the onset of this TAF
period. Winds will increase out of the south to southwest during
the afternoon, topping out 20 to 25 knots sustained for a few
hours late in the afternoon prior to surface-based thunderstorms
developing across far southwest Kansas. This new TAF will refine
the thunderstorm forecast, going with a 3-hr period of VCTS in
the early to mid evening hours. Winds are expected to be quite
gusty near thunderstorms. By late evening, thunderstorm risk
will move east of southwest and west central Kansas with fairly
light winds expected the remainder of the night.

&&

.DDC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

UPDATE...Umscheid
SHORT TERM...Umscheid
LONG TERM...Umscheid
AVIATION...Umscheid

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
343 AM CDT Fri Jun 7 2024

KSZ030-031-043>046-061>066-074>081-084>090-080845-
Trego-Ellis-Scott-Lane-Ness-Rush-Hamilton-Kearny-Finney-Hodgeman-
Pawnee-Stafford-Stanton-Grant-Haskell-Gray-Ford-Edwards-Kiowa-
Pratt-Morton-Stevens-Seward-Meade-Clark-Comanche-Barber-
343 AM CDT Fri Jun 7 2024 /243 AM MDT Fri Jun 7 2024/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Kansas,
south central Kansas, southwest Kansas, and west central Kansas.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Marginal risk for severe storms after 5 pm this afternoon,
near Elkhart will spread east across the area through the
evening. The main risk are isolated instances of damaging wind
and hail to the size of quarters.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

Organized severe storms producing damaging wind, large hail and
excessive rainfall capable of localized flooding, are possible
Saturday evening and overnight.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed Today or Tonight.

33

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
409 PM CDT Fri Jun 7 2024

KSZ061-062-072145-
Kearny KS-Hamilton KS-
409 PM CDT Fri Jun 7 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL HAMILTON AND
CENTRAL KEARNY COUNTIES THROUGH 445 PM CDT/345 PM MDT/...

At 408 PM CDT/308 PM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm near Kendall, moving east at 30 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.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of east central
Hamilton and central Kearny Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT/900
PM MDT/ for southwestern Kansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3788 10157 3806 10162 3817 10122 3789 10117
TIME...MOT...LOC 2108Z 259DEG 26KT 3799 10151

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

KBJ

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
418 PM CDT Fri Jun 7 2024

KSZ061-074-072145-
Stanton KS-Hamilton KS-
418 PM CDT Fri Jun 7 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN HAMILTON AND
NORTHEASTERN STANTON COUNTIES THROUGH 445 PM CDT/345 PM MDT/...

At 418 PM CDT/318 PM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm 14 miles south of Syracuse, moving east at 25 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.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southern Hamilton
and northeastern Stanton Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT/900
PM MDT/ for southwestern Kansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3793 10158 3771 10153 3769 10153 3769 10192
      3785 10194
TIME...MOT...LOC 2118Z 261DEG 22KT 3778 10184

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

KBJ

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
446 PM CDT Fri Jun 7 2024

KSZ061-062-074-075-072215-
Stanton KS-Kearny KS-Hamilton KS-Grant KS-
446 PM CDT Fri Jun 7 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN HAMILTON...
SOUTHWESTERN KEARNY...NORTHWESTERN GRANT AND NORTHEASTERN STANTON
COUNTIES THROUGH 515 PM CDT/415 PM MDT/...

At 445 PM CDT/345 PM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm 12 miles southwest of Kendall, 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 hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern
Hamilton, southwestern Kearny, northwestern Grant and northeastern
Stanton Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT/900
PM MDT/ for southwestern Kansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3770 10184 3789 10192 3797 10140 3770 10138
TIME...MOT...LOC 2145Z 263DEG 25KT 3780 10168

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

KBJ

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
459 PM CDT Fri Jun 7 2024

KSZ076-085-086-072230-
Seward KS-Stevens KS-Haskell KS-
459 PM CDT Fri Jun 7 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN SEWARD...CENTRAL
STEVENS AND SOUTHWESTERN HASKELL COUNTIES THROUGH 530 PM CDT...

At 459 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Feterita, moving east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny 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.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Hugoton around 505 PM CDT.
  Woods around 515 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
southwestern Kansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3723 10153 3739 10115 3739 10109 3742 10109
      3745 10101 3711 10092 3706 10149
TIME...MOT...LOC 2159Z 259DEG 42KT 3717 10142

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

KBJ