Scattered thunderstorms, including intense supercells, produce large to very large hail and locally heavy rainfall over portions of north central Kansas during the evening hours of May 25th. Initial thunderstorm development occurred on an isolated basis near the I-70 corridor, just SW of Rooks County, between 5pm and 6pm CDT.
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.
Scattered thunderstorms, including intense supercells, produce large to very large hail and locally heavy rainfall over portions of north central Kansas during the evening hours of May 25th. Initial thunderstorm development occurred on an isolated basis near the I-70 corridor, just SW of Rooks County, between 5pm and 6pm CDT. This activity quickly become supercellular and very intense around 6PM as individual cells moved northeast into Rooks and Osborne Counties. Storms reached peak intensity and turned more easterly between 7pm and 9pm, aided by lift associated with a retreating warm front and developing low level jet. Hail reports of ping pong to golf ball size were common with these storms, but a report of baseball size hail was also reported in Downs, KS. Thunderstorms grew upscale into small clusters around 9pm, and largely shifted E/SE of the area by around 10pm. The hail impacted crops, homes, and vehicles, in particular along the Highway 24 corridor. In addition to large hail, locally heavy rainfall up to 3 caused minor flooding in the area of Highway 14 just north of Beloit, KS.
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 May 25, 4:40 PM CST, 37 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Hastings NE 540 PM CDT Sat May 25 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Showers and thunderstorms are expected to move roughly W to E across the area this evening and overnight. Some of these storms may be strong to severe. Risk levels for severe weather range from Marginal N of Hwy 92 (level 1 of 5) to Enhanced (level 3 of 5) south of Hwy 24, per the SPC. Main concerns are large hail and damaging winds, though isolated tornadoes and flash flooding may also be possible. - Isolated to scattered thunderstorms may redevelop Sunday afternoon. A few of these may also be strong to severe with large hail as the primary threat, but most storms Sunday are not expected to reach severe criteria. - After a dry Monday, shower and thunderstorm chances return Tuesday evening and continue through the end of the work week. - High temperatures will be in the 70s to low 80s with lows in the upper 40s and 50s through the forecast period. && .UPDATE... Issued at 538 PM CDT Sat May 25 2024 Dewpoints have slowly been rising as moisture advects into Kansas. There is increasing concern over the next few hours that a few strong to severe thunderstorms will develop, impacting areas of our north central Kansas counties. With the continued increase in moisture to the area, the concern for tornado development is increasing. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 239 PM CDT Sat May 25 2024 This evening/tonight: The main focus of this forecast is the potential for severe thunderstorms this evening, which are expected to persist into the overnight hours tonight. Thunderstorms are expected to develop west and south of the forecast area around 6PM this evening and then move across the forecast area this evening and overnight. As this does, increased low-level moisture will move north into the region, increasing the chance for severe storms. Models generally agree with the timing of storms moving across the area, but there has been a slight downtrend with some of the CAMs on how widespread they are, perhaps tapping into the persistent mid- to high level cloud cover or perhaps indicating that moisture will not flow as far north due to the stronger storms over Kansas and Oklahoma. That being said, if robust storms do develop, large hail up to golf ball size and damaging wind gusts of 60-70 MPH will be possible with any clusters or line of storm. Isolated tornadoes will be possible with discrete supercells in the Enhanced risk area this evening OR from QLCS spinups. Current thinking is that severe storms will be possible from approximately 7PM this evening to 2AM Sunday morning, with higher likelihood late in the evening/overnight as instability and better moisture reaches the area. With this being Memorial Day weekend, there will be a lot of outdoor activities, so have multiple ways to receive weather warnings/updates and have a plan of action and a safe place to go if thunderstorms develop nearby or move into the area. These storms will move across the area quickly so ensure you have enough time to get to that safe place quickly if necessary. Rest of the Holiday Weekend: There will be at least a slight chance of showers/storms all day Sunday, first with some lingering moisture Sunday morning then a potential redevelopment of storms Sunday afternoon. Cannot rule out an isolated storm with marginally severe hail Sunday afternoon/evening, but most storms are not expected to be severe. Sunday is not expected to be a washout, but isolated to scattered PM storms will need to be watched. Fortunately, Memorial Day itself is expected to be dry. Tuesday through Friday: Dry conditions continue through the daytime Tuesday with mild temperatures in the 70s and 80s. Elevated showers/storms may develop Tuesday evening/night, and this looks to be the start of another active period. A series of near-surface disturbances will move across throughout the week bringing a chance of showers and storms Wednesday, with better chances Thursday and possibly Friday as an upper level trough moves over the area. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z MONDAY/... Issued at 1233 PM CDT Sat May 25 2024 This afternoon: FEW mid-level clouds and BKN high level clouds with Srly winds sustained 15-20 kts with gusts to 25-30 kts. Winds turn toward the SE this evening. This evening/tonight into Sunday AM: Scattered showers/storms will move W to E across both terminals late this evening. Some of these could be severe with strong winds and hail being the main threats. The main timeframe will be around 01-06Z. Variable winds near and behind the storms should become mainly Nrly by dawn Sunday AM. Model guidance indicates the potential for low stratus or patchy fog across the area from around 10-15Z, with the potential for IFR CIGS and MVFR visibility, so introduced this into the TAFs. Confidence is higher in the lowered CIGs than in the lowered visibility. && .GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NE...None. KS...None. && UPDATE...Wekesser DISCUSSION...Hickford AVIATION...Hickford
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Hastings NE 557 PM CDT Sat May 25 2024 KSZ005-NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087-261200- Phillips-Valley-Greeley-Nance-Sherman-Howard-Merrick-Polk-Dawson- Buffalo-Hall-Hamilton-York-Gosper-Phelps-Kearney-Adams-Clay- Fillmore-Furnas-Harlan-Franklin-Webster-Nuckolls-Thayer- 557 PM CDT Sat May 25 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Nebraska and portions of north central Kansas. .DAY ONE...Tonight. The next chance for thunderstorms, including the potential for severe weather, will arrive this evening after 6PM and continue into the overnight hours. The entire forecast area is in a convective outlook ranging from Marginal to Slight and peaking at Enhanced over portions of north central Kansas. An even higher risk level, moderate, is forecast just south and southeast of the area over central and eastern Kansas. The main severe threats with our thunderstorms tonight will be large hail up to golf ball size and damaging wind gusts of 60 to 70 MPH. However, isolated tornadoes and heavy rainfall are a possibility, as well. The most likely timeframe for severe weather across south central Nebraska and north central Kansas tonight will be from approximately 7PM to 2AM. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Thunderstorm chances continue into Sunday, but severe weather is not expected with this activity. After a mostly dry Monday and Tuesday, off and on thunderstorm chances return Tuesday night through the end of next week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will be needed this evening and overnight. Spotters are encouraged to report any severe weather to the National Weather Service. && More information may be obtained at the following web page: https://www.weather.gov/hastings KSZ006-007-017>019-261200- Smith-Jewell-Rooks-Osborne-Mitchell- 557 PM CDT Sat May 25 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central Kansas. .DAY ONE...Tonight. The next chance for thunderstorms, including the potential for severe weather, will arrive this evening after 6PM and continue into the overnight hours. The entire forecast area is in a convective outlook ranging from Marginal to Slight and peaking at Enhanced over portions of north central Kansas. An even higher risk level, moderate, is forecast just south and southeast of the area over central and eastern Kansas. The main severe threats with our thunderstorms tonight will be large hail up to golf ball size and damaging wind gusts of 60 to 70 MPH. However, isolated tornadoes and heavy rainfall are a possibility, as well. The most likely timeframe for severe weather across south central Nebraska and north central Kansas tonight will be from approximately 7PM to 2AM. A Tornado Watch has been issued for portions of north central Kansas through 1 AM CDT. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Thunderstorm chances continue into Sunday, but severe weather is not expected with this activity. After a mostly dry Monday and Tuesday, off and on thunderstorm chances return Tuesday night through the end of next week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will be needed this evening and overnight. Spotters are encouraged to report any severe weather to the National Weather Service. && More information may be obtained at the following web page: https://www.weather.gov/hastings
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hastings NE
111 PM CDT Sat May 25 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1150 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 N Axtell 40.55N 99.12W
05/23/2024 Kearney NE Trained Spotter
Delayed report via email of 2 pivots
overturned in this area.
&&
PfannkuchPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hastings NE
117 PM CDT Sat May 25 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1257 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 ESE Hampton 40.88N 97.88W
05/24/2024 Hamilton NE Emergency Mngr
Delayed report of irrigation pivot
overturned. Time estimated from radar.
&&
PfannkuchSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Hastings NE
551 PM CDT Sat May 25 2024
KSZ017-252315-
Rooks KS-
551 PM CDT Sat May 25 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN ROOKS COUNTY THROUGH
615 PM CDT...
At 551 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Zurich, or 15 miles north of Ellis, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 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 strong thunderstorm will be near...
Zurich around 555 PM CDT.
Plainville around 605 PM CDT.
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.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for north central
Kansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3914 9959 3942 9945 3922 9905 3913 9925
3913 9958
TIME...MOT...LOC 2251Z 221DEG 27KT 3915 9946
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
WekesserThe Grand Island radar (KUEX), 142 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:18 UTC.
13 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Quarter to ping pong ball size hail was reported.
Delete me.
Hail up to ping pong ball size was reported.
Hail ranging in size from ping pong balls to baseballs was reported across Downs.
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, May 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: 1175655, 1175659, 1175670, 1175671, 1175673, 1175691, 1175692, 1175693, 1175684, 1175674, 1175679, 1175682, 1175694.