In the late afternoon of the 30th, storms began to fire across eastern Colorado and moved northeast through northwestern Kansas. Later in the night, another round of storms moved east through the area.
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 GLD wrote it up.
In the late afternoon of the 30th, storms began to fire across eastern Colorado and moved northeast through northwestern Kansas. Later in the night, another round of storms moved east through the area. These rounds of storm produced heavy, prolonged rain in the Colby area, causing minor urban flooding to occur. Between the two rounds of storms, a wake low produced a single gust of 61 MPH.
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 30, 8:43 PM CST, 1 hour 57 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Goodland KS 843 PM MDT Thu May 30 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Daily chances for strong/severe thunderstorms producing locally excessive rainfall continues tonight through Saturday. - Warm/quite warm with only 20%-30% chances for thunderstorms Sunday through Tuesday. Highs in the 80s and 90s. - Dry Wednesday and Thursday with high in the 80s. && .UPDATE... Issued at 827 PM MDT Thu May 30 2024 Thunderstorms continue to drift to the east slowly with radar estimated QPE and other dual pol products indicating fairly robust rainfall rates with a few stronger storms producing large hail, although coverage is very limited. Short range models really struggling with overall development as large scale forcing is weak and it looks like storms may organize around small scale MCV to the south and along stalled frontal zone/impinging weak LLJ to the north. Activity will continue to drift to the east, although confidence in specifics is low. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... Issued at 200 PM MDT Thu May 30 2024 Tonight...another round of showers and thunderstorms are forecast to move into western Kit Carson county by 6 PM MDT, continuing east or east-southeast toward Highway 27 by 9 PM MDT. After 9 PM MDT, the currently forecast is for these storms to continue moving toward the east with possibly another cluster of thunderstorms to develop along and north of the KS/NE border where convergence along a cold front is forecast. The two separate areas/clusters of thunderstorms may merge after midnight across Norton/Graham counties. Primary hazards will be large hail, strong damaging wind gusts and excessive rainfall that could produce flooding/flash flooding. Those who received heavy rainfall Wednesday night would have a heightened threat for flooding/flash flooding. Low temperatures are forecast to be in the lower to upper 50s. Friday-Friday night...despite some mid level dry air moving in behind any morning convection, there remains ample moisture below 700mb to combine with daytime heating to support at least a 20% chance for showers and thunderstorms during the day. Overnight, another weather system moves off the Colorado front range and through the area, supporting a chance for showers and thunderstorms. High temperatures are forecast to be in the lower 70s to near 80 with low temperatures in the upper 40s to middle 50s. Saturday-Saturday night...another round of showers and thunderstorms are forecast during the afternoon and overnight hours as another weather system moves through from the west. High temperatures rise into the lower to middle 80s with low temperatures in the lower 50s to around 60. Sunday-Sunday night...a weak weather disturbance embedded within nearly zonal flow aloft may trigger a few showers and thunderstorms north of I-70 in the afternoon with coverage expanding to areas generally east of Highway 27 overnight. High temperatures rise into the upper 80s to lower 90s with low temperatures in the lower 50s to lower 60s. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... Issued at 200 PM MDT Thu May 30 2024 Monday...presently, a generally dry forecast is anticipated as moisture from 850-500mb is a bit drier compared to the past several days. High temperatures are forecast to be in the 80s with low temperatures in the middle 50s to lower 60s. Tuesday...slight chance and low chance pops for showers and thunderstorms exists in the afternoon through overnight hours as the influence of a passing upper level low triggers a few storms. High temperatures warm back up into the 90 to 95 degree range with low temperatures in the 50s. Wednesday...dry weather is currently forecast upper a building upper level ridge. High temperatures cool a bit into the 80 to 85 degree range with low temperatures in the 50s. Thursday...dry weather is again forecast with high temperatures in the lower to middle 80s and low temperatures in the 50s. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 400 PM MDT Thu May 30 2024 Main focus for this evening lies with the again risk for showers and storms where some may be severe. Overall confidence in coverage and exact location of storms is still unfortunately low as there are many subtle features today can make or break the coverage and intensity of storms; so have opted to go with a VCTS for each terminal for now. If a terminal is impacted then sub VFR conditions would become likely. Storm chances will diminish after sunrise with stratus lingering around for the good portion of the day Friday with MVFR ceilings looking likely at this time. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 513 AM MDT Thu May 30 2024 The flooding chance for parts of the area have increased today with much of the area from Kit Carson [CO] county to Logan [KS] county and south seeing a total of 2 to 5 inches across the past two evenings. The main help in these areas is that they were relatively dry before the storms moved through which has seemed to help mitigate any potential flooding so far. For today, we are watching for a couple of clusters to develop in the area. Unfortunately, they are favoring the areas that have seen the rainfall the past few days. These storms could cluster and/or move slowly which would likely lead to another few inches of rainfall. With soil saturation estimated to near 50% or more, flooding will become more likely, especially in an instance where another quick 3+ inches falls. Going into the weekend, the flooding threat continues though Friday has a bit lower of a chance right now with the forecast suggesting faster storms and lesser coverage. Saturday and Sunday however have the chance to add more heavy rain to areas that have already seen decent rain. Will need to see how much the area gets today. && .GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KS...None. CO...None. NE...None. && UPDATE...JRM SHORT TERM...99 LONG TERM...99 AVIATION...Trigg HYDROLOGY...CA
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Goodland KS 240 PM MDT Thu May 30 2024 COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-311200- Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Rawlins-Decatur-Norton-Sherman-Thomas- Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock- Red Willow- 240 PM MDT Thu May 30 2024 /340 PM CDT Thu May 30 2024/ This hazardous weather outlook is for extreme southwest Nebraska... northwest Kansas and east central Colorado. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT... A few clusters of strong to potentially severe thunderstorms are forecast to impact various parts of the Tri-State area as early as 6 PM MDT, continuing through the overnight hours as they move to the east. The primary hazards through 3 AM MDT include damaging wind gusts up to 65 mph, hail up to the size of ping pong balls, and locally excessive rainfall that could produce flooding or flash flooding. A tornado threat exists through mid evening west of a line from McCook to Colby and Cheyenne Wells. After 3 AM MDT, the primary hazards appear to be hail under one inch in diameter, gusty winds and locally excessive rainfall that could produce flooding or flash flooding. Locations that received heavy rainfall Wednesday night would have a heightened threat for flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH THURSDAY... Severe thunderstorms remain possible Friday and Saturday. Storms are forecast to move from west to east across the area and potentially produce large hail and wind gusts up to 70 mph. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will be needed. We would appreciate reports of severe weather and flooding via telephone and social media.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
913 PM MDT Thu May 30 2024
COZ090-KSZ001-310345-
Yuma County CO-Cheyenne KS-
913 PM MDT Thu May 30 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN YUMA COUNTY IN
NORTHEASTERN COLORADO AND CHEYENNE COUNTIES IN NORTHWESTERN KANSAS
THROUGH 945 PM MDT/1045 PM CDT/...
At 913 PM MDT/1013 PM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm 6 miles west of St. Francis, moving northeast at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern Yuma
County in northeastern Colorado and Cheyenne Counties in northwestern
Kansas, including the following locations... Wheeler.
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 3981 10149 3957 10197 3980 10218 4000 10185
4000 10183
TIME...MOT...LOC 0313Z 233DEG 10KT 3979 10193
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
TTSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Goodland KS 941 PM MDT Thu May 30 2024 KSZ027-028-042-310415- Wichita KS-Wallace KS-Logan KS- 941 PM MDT Thu May 30 2024 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL WICHITA...EAST CENTRAL WALLACE AND CENTRAL LOGAN COUNTIES THROUGH 1015 PM MDT/1115 PM CDT/... At 941 PM MDT/1041 PM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Russell Springs, or 21 miles northwest of Scott State Lake, moving northwest at 10 mph. HAZARD...Nickel size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is possible. This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of north central Wichita, east central Wallace and central Logan Counties. 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 3892 10086 3862 10129 3880 10154 3912 10128 TIME...MOT...LOC 0341Z 125DEG 11KT 3891 10120 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH Trigg
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
954 PM MDT Thu May 30 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0935 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Saint Francis 39.77N 101.80W
05/30/2024 M54 MPH Cheyenne KS AWOS
AWOS station KSYF St. Francis City.
&&
TTSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1016 PM MDT Thu May 30 2024
NEZ079-310430-
Dundy NE-
1016 PM MDT Thu May 30 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN DUNDY COUNTY
THROUGH 1030 PM MDT...
At 1016 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles west of Benkelman, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 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 outdoor objects is
possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern Dundy
County, including the following locations... Parks.
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.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Goodland.
&&
LAT...LON 4026 10169 4015 10146 4000 10165 4000 10168
4009 10185
TIME...MOT...LOC 0416Z 224DEG 15KT 4009 10168
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TriggSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Goodland KS 1122 PM CDT Thu May 30 2024 KSZ028-310445- Logan KS- 1122 PM CDT Thu May 30 2024 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN LOGAN COUNTY THROUGH 1145 PM CDT... At 1122 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 6 miles southeast of Winona, or 18 miles southwest of Oakley, moving north at 20 mph. HAZARD...Nickel size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is possible. This strong thunderstorm will be near... Winona around 1135 PM CDT. 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. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. 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. To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service office in Goodland. && LAT...LON 3913 10135 3913 10100 3896 10094 3892 10124 TIME...MOT...LOC 0422Z 167DEG 17KT 3901 10115 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH Trigg
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1029 PM MDT Thu May 30 2024
NEZ079-310445-
Dundy NE-
1029 PM MDT Thu May 30 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN DUNDY COUNTY
THROUGH 1045 PM MDT...
At 1029 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles north of Haigler, or 19 miles east of Wray, moving northeast at
10 mph.
HAZARD...Nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northwestern 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.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
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.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Goodland.
&&
LAT...LON 4028 10167 4009 10187 4014 10203 4035 10193
4035 10190
TIME...MOT...LOC 0429Z 210DEG 11KT 4016 10188
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
TriggThe Goodland radar (KGLD), 30 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 04:41 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Kansas Mesonet KCNK1.... no lightning or other similar wind gusts have noted in the area.
Trained spotter reported water overrunning the curbs and pooling a bit in the side lanes at the intersection of College and Range. Also noticed a field next to a store was covered with a few inches of water.
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: 1192848, 1176570.