A cluster of storms developed across eastern Colorado and led to wind gusts ranging from 60 mph to 72 mph across Kit Carson county with the strongest being 7 NNW Flagler. Dust storm conditions were also reported near Peconic and Idalia from the thunderstorm winds.
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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.
A cluster of storms developed across eastern Colorado and led to wind gusts ranging from 60 mph to 72 mph across Kit Carson county with the strongest being 7 NNW Flagler. Dust storm conditions were also reported near Peconic and Idalia from the thunderstorm winds.
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 Aug 18, 2:34 PM MST, 4 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Goodland KS 334 PM MDT Mon Aug 18 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - There is a chance for more widespread storms this afternoon and evening. A few storms may become severe with damaging winds, large hail and blowing dust all possible. - Temperatures are forecast to remain warm with highs in the 90s through much of the work week. We may see a cool down next weekend. && .UPDATE... Issued at 330 PM MDT Mon Aug 18 2025 Storm activity is increasing along a wind convergence area across Logan and Gove counties. This has led to a broken line of storms forming. Anticipate this storm activity to continue through the rest of the afternoon. There is enough vertical wind shear to help keep the storms organized enough to maintain themselves. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/... Issued at 1030 AM MDT Mon Aug 18 2025 Current observations show a broad area of low pressure across much of the region, with winds generally from the north. Observations also show a continued band of showers and storms along Interstate 76. This band has produced an outflow boundary that is around Highway 34. This setup might change a few things for later today. For now, high temperatures are still expected to reach the 90s with most of the area in the 80s as of 10am MT. Winds are forecast to slowly shift to out of the east during the day as lower pressure builds up near the Front Range, with moisture flowing in from the east. For the afternoon hours, this is forecast to still allow storms to develop, especially along the higher terrain just west of the area. The potential wrench in the setup is the outflow boundary that is moving into the area from the north, along with any additional outflows produced by these morning storms. With the boundary in the area, there is a chance that storms could fire up early in the afternoon (around 1pm MT / 2pm CT) on that boundary. These storms would initially have a risk for large hail, especially the further east they form where more moisture availability and higher temperatures are forecast to allow for greater instability. The main hindrances are that mid-level lapse rates are forecast to be around 8 C/km and effect shear around 25 kts. Both conditions are marginally supportive of strong to severe storms, so overall severe threat should remain isolated. Otherwise, if the line does not fire up, most of the area should remain sunny through the afternoon with maybe a rogue pop up storm. The evening hours are forecast to have isolated storms develop in Eastern Colorado that should cluster fairly quickly with effective shear around 25-35 kts and messy hodographs. This would favor an initial large hail threat, followed by strong wind gusts once storms cluster. If the storms did fire up across the area during the afternoon, the overall severe risk would likely be lower with more stable air and competing outflows, hindering how much the clusters outflows could help sustain their development. The more moist profile could also lower the wind threat with less DCAPE. Otherwise, if the earlier storms do not form, the clusters are forecast to move across the area from west to east, still favoring along and north of I-70. As they move across, sporadic wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph remain forecast. These strong gusts and outflows could also kick up blowing dust as recent observations suggest most of the area has dry topsoil. If a few storms form ahead of the main cluster, there is also the chance that these could provide some mid-level capping stability, which would help concentrate dust if additional outflows can begin to pick up dust. The overnight hours would see the storm cluster slowly finish moving through the area to the east if it did form. There could be some additional development of storms if any outflow boundaries linger in the area. For areas that clear of storms, partly cloudy skies are forecast with lows dropping into the upper 50s and 60s. Tuesday, the upper ridge is forecast to re-establish itself over the Rockies and amplify. Temperatures should remain in the 90s with generally sunny skies, though we should avoid the upper 90s with the ridge axis to the west of the area. With the ridge in place, the flow through the air column is forecast to be on the weaker side, which should help keep winds below 15 mph with occasional gusts to 20 mph. We are forecast to retain dewpoints in the 60s which will keep a small chance for storms during the afternoon and evening hours. However, chances should remain below 15% with the upper subsidence, the lower pressure gradient becoming more broad and diffuse, and with shortwaves likely staying north of the area due to the amplified ridge. Tuesday night, skies should clear and winds become light over the area. With this, low temperatures should drop to near dewpoint in the 50s and 60s. There could be some patches of fog that develop with the saturated lower level air. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Issued at 1030 AM MDT Mon Aug 18 2025 Wednesday and Thursday are forecast to be warm and fairly dry with the upper ridge over the area. Highs should warm into the 90s with generally sunny/clear skies due to the upper subsidence. With this, chance for precipitation are very low as most of the shortwaves should stay north of the area, short of maybe on Thursday depending on how long the ridge can remain amplified. Winds are forecast to be generally below 20 mph with weak flow through the air column due to the ridge. The weekend is forecast to bring a pattern change as an upper trough pushes into the Plains and Great Lakes region on Friday. The current forecast progression would still allow Friday to be warm with highs in the 90s with the ridge in place through most of the day. There looks to only be a 10% chance that the trough pushes through quickly enough that Friday would be cooler. A quicker progression would also hinder storms chances for Friday. Otherwise, the front/low that is tied to the upper trough should move through during the day and help spark some storms during the afternoon and evening. We should have enough moisture for severe storms to form with the forcing moving through the area. After the front/low move through, generally cooler temperatures with highs in the 70s and 80s are forecast. Storm chances may continue through the weekend as long as the trough doesn't push through too far south and bring the center of higher pressure over the area. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 1101 AM MDT Mon Aug 18 2025 For KGLD... VFR conditions are forecast through the period, though there will be multiple chances for storms. Storms are possible in two different waves between about 20-04Z. Near chance has a possibility greater than 30-35% at this time, but both could allow for severe storms if they do occur. Between 20-01Z, be alert for storms that form over or near the terminal. After 01Z, storms should move in from the west if they do move in. Once the initial storms pass, there is a 10% chance of redevelopment through the night. Otherwise, clear skies are forecast with varying winds. For KMCK... VFR conditions are forecast through the period, though there will be multiple chances for storms. Storms are possible for the first few hours of the period as an outflow boundary moves through (chance of development around 10%). Otherwise, the main chance will be between 02-07Z as a cluster moves from west to east across the region. The issue is whether or not the cluster can hold together, especially if storms form in the area during the afternoon. Once the cluster passes, there is a 10% chance for redevelopment along outflows. Otherwise, skies should be clear with winds from the north. && .GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KS...None. CO...None. NE...None. && UPDATE...JTL SHORT TERM...KAK LONG TERM...KAK AVIATION...KAK
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Goodland KS 1226 PM MDT Mon Aug 18 2025 COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-191830- Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Rawlins-Decatur-Norton-Sherman-Thomas- Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock- Red Willow- 1226 PM MDT Mon Aug 18 2025 /126 PM CDT Mon Aug 18 2025/ This hazardous weather outlook is for extreme southwest Nebraska... northwest Kansas and east central Colorado. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT... Strong to severe storms are possible today during the afternoon and evening hours. Severe storms could form as early as 1pm mountain time or 2pm central time. Storms will be capable of producing large hail, damaging wind gusts, and visibility down to a mile or less in blowing dust. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY... No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Any reports of severe weather are appreciated!
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
316 PM MDT Mon Aug 18 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0310 PM Extreme Heat Colby 39.39N 101.05W
08/18/2025 M106 F Thomas KS Mesonet
Mesonet station AP863 Colby.
&&
KAKPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
317 PM MDT Mon Aug 18 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0304 PM Extreme Heat 9 SSE Sharon Springs 38.77N 101.68W
08/18/2025 M106 F Wallace KS Mesonet
Mesonet station CW6099 9 SSE Sharon Springs.
&&
KAKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
337 PM MDT Mon Aug 18 2025
COZ091-182230-
Kit Carson County CO-
337 PM MDT Mon Aug 18 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT WESTERN KIT CARSON COUNTY THROUGH
430 PM MDT...
At 337 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 5 miles south of Thurman to
3 miles south of Arriba to 3 miles south of Hugo. Movement was east
at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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.
Locations impacted include...
Flagler.
This includes Interstate 70 in Colorado between mile markers 391 and
409.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
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 3956 10315 3956 10279 3904 10279 3904 10316
TIME...MOT...LOC 2137Z 277DEG 11KT 3952 10320 3923 10325 3908 10348
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
SatterwhiteThe Goodland radar (KGLD), 123 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:36 UTC.
4 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
The mesonet site KCOFLAGL13 on Wunderground reported the 72mph wind gust at 15:54. A 60 mph wind gust was reported at the same station at 15:38 as well.
WeatherLink site Livingston Ag Seibert measured the 61 mph wind gust.
Trained spotter reported hail ranging in size from pea to quarters in size.
An off duty NWS employee reported dust storm conditions with visibilities around one quarter mile along Interstate 70 near the Colorado/Kansas state line just ahead of a line of thunderstorms. The nearest observation was at the Goodland Airport (KGLD) which reported a 60 mph wind gust with the thunderstorms at 16:36.
A report of visibility down to around 1/4 mile in dust from thunderstorm wind. A mesonet station named CO047 385n220 Idalia which is 4 miles to the northeast of Idalia reported a 56 mph wind gust.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Colorado in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, August 2025
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: 1285913, 1285929, 1285908, 1285960, 1286061.