Tornado and Hail in Kansas, April 17, 2026

Name: Tornado and Hail in Kansas, April 17, 2026
Start: 2026-04-17T13:29
End: 2026-04-17T15:49
Location: Kansas

April 17, 2026 · NWS TOP · 11 events in 4 counties and zones

Severe storms developed along and ahead of a cold front late in the afternoon on Friday April 17th. Storms organized into a short line that begin to prouce damaging downdraft winds.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 11

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS TOP wrote it up.

Severe storms developed along and ahead of a cold front late in the afternoon on Friday April 17th. Storms organized into a short line that begin to prouce damaging downdraft winds. A small tornado also formed on the northern side of the short line and produced damage in the town of Olivet in Osage County. A damage survey was done the next day and it was found to be EF1 damage mainly to outbuildings along with tree limb damage.

What forecasters said that day

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 Topeka, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 17, 11:42 AM CST, 1 hour 47 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Severe thunderstorms expected (50-90% chance) this afternoon into early this evening, mainly in east-central Kansas. Locally heavy rainfall also possible, mainly in far southeastern areas.
Fire danger into elevated levels Saturday and Sunday along Highway 81 in north-central Kansas.
Low temperatures close to freezing Saturday and Sunday mornings, with frost potential Sunday morning.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 17, 11:42 AM CST, 1 hour 47 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Topeka KS
1242 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Severe thunderstorms expected (50-90% chance) this afternoon
  into early this evening, mainly in east-central Kansas.
  Locally heavy rainfall also possible, mainly in far
  southeastern areas.

- Fire danger into elevated levels Saturday and Sunday along Highway
  81 in north-central Kansas.

- Low temperatures close to freezing Saturday and Sunday
  mornings, with frost potential Sunday morning.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1242 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

Volatile situation setting up over eastern and southern portions of
the state this afternoon with upper low moving east along the
central Canadian border with associated trough in at least one piece
south-southwest into the Four Corners impinging on a moist and very
unstable atmosphere over the Plains. Cold front had passed through
north-central Kansas by noon, lagging a bit more to the southwest to
a surface low over northeast Oklahoma. 16Z MLCAPE analysis already
had values around 2500 J/kg with over 3000 J/kg quite possible by
mid afternoon with effective shear of 40-50 knots. Low-level wind
fields will likely keep some veering, however tornadic potential
remains with any more isolated storms early then possibly in QLCS
activity later in the event, so very large hail and potent
straight-line winds will be the main concerns. Main area of concern
looks to be east-central Kansas where instability will be the
greatest and the front come in the latest. Severe thunderstorm
activity should peak by late afternoon and exit the area by 8 PM,
though some training could linger mainly along and southeast of I-35
as the effective front becomes more parallel to the upper flow and
could lead to a few rounds of heavy rainfall into the late evening.

Concerns late tonight into Sunday turn to more of a early to mid
spring variety with fire weather and growing season impacts.
Northwest winds keep some speed Saturday but back off Sunday when
the driest air is in place. Fire weather partners indicate only
limited grassland response in the far western counties that could
still support some very active wildfires and, even going slightly
windier for Saturday, still only brings fire danger indicies into
the Very High category. These winds Saturday keep frost in check
with much weaker winds Sunday morning supporting some frost. Most
guidance keeps lows above freezing for even the coldest areas in
north-central Kansas.

Temperatures return to above normal levels early next week with the
next chance for precipition late in the week.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 1219 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

Thunderstorm potential is the main concern. Storms are highly
likely to be east of MHK but could form around TOP and FOE
through 22Z, but latest trends are for a faster end of storms
so trimmed them a bit. North-northwest winds behind the front
should diminish late.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 1242 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

Not much change to previous forecast. Saturday brings the
stronger winds but RH only dropping to around 20 percent for a
few hours. Sunday looks drier but much weaker winds. Saturday
will likely be more concerning but confidence in Red Flag
conditions remains too low for any headlines.

&&

.TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

DISCUSSION...Poage
AVIATION...Poage
FIRE WEATHER...Poage

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 17, 1:35 AM CST, 11 hours 54 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Topeka KS
235 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

KSZ008>012-020>024-026-034>040-054>056-058-059-180745-
Republic-Washington-Marshall-Nemaha-Brown-Cloud-Clay-Riley-
Pottawatomie-Jackson-Jefferson-Ottawa-Dickinson-Geary-Morris-
Wabaunsee-Shawnee-Douglas-Lyon-Osage-Franklin-Coffey-Anderson-
235 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Kansas, east central
Kansas, north central Kansas and northeast Kansas.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Thunderstorms are expected to develop over northeast and east
central Kansas this afternoon and continue into the evening. Large
hail, damaging winds, and a tornado or two are possible with these
storms. Areas along and east of a line from Abilene to Marysville
have the better chances of seeing severe storms. Heavy rain could
also lead to flash flooding for areas along and southeast of
Interstate 35.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER MESSAGE

Weather spotters are encouraged to relay reports of hail, damaging
wind, tornadoes, and flooding.

&&

More detailed information can be found at:
www.weather.gov/media/top/DssPacket.pdf

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 17, 1:06 PM CST, 23 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
206 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

KSZ026-171915-
Jefferson-
206 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY
THROUGH 215 PM CDT...

At 206 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Winchester, moving northeast at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to vegetation is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Nortonville and Winchester.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for northeastern
Kansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3924 9525 3936 9538 3942 9532 3942 9518
      3929 9518
TIME...MOT...LOC 1906Z 223DEG 42KT 3937 9523

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

Griesemer

Local storm report, Apr 17, 1:19 PM CST, 10 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Topeka KS
219 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0218 PM     Hail             Eskridge                38.86N 96.10W
04/17/2026  E0.88 Inch       Wabaunsee          KS   Trained Spotter

&&

smb

The radar

The Topeka radar (KTWX), 78 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:29 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

8 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Jefferson

When: April 17, 1:29 PM CST to 1:30 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 1.75 mi ENE of Valley Falls
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.340, -95.440

Thunderstorm Wind, Osage

When: April 17, 2:20 PM CST to 2:21 PM CST
Where: Osage County, 2.78 mi WSW of Scranton
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.770, -95.780

A personal weather station.

Thunderstorm Wind, Coffey

When: April 17, 2:55 PM CST to 2:56 PM CST
Where: Coffey County, 4.33 mi WSW of Strawn
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.240, -95.940

Measured from a personal weather station.

Thunderstorm Wind, Coffey

When: April 17, 3:05 PM CST to 3:06 PM CST
Where: Coffey County, 0.54 mi W of Lebo
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.420, -95.860

Tree damage was also reported.

Tornado, Osage

When: April 17, 3:07 PM CST to 3:09 PM CST
Where: Osage County, 0.54 mi W of Olivet to 0.54 mi E of Olivet
Rating: EF1
Path length: 1.08 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.480, -95.760

NWS tornado damage survey revealed a short path small tornado produced damage in the town of Olivet. A few outbuidings were damaged or destroyed and several large trees were uprooted or had broken branches. The damage was determined to be EF1 with winds to around 100-105 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Coffey

When: April 17, 3:15 PM CST to 3:16 PM CST
Where: Coffey County, 0.88 mi SW of Waverly
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.390, -95.610

Tree damage also reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: April 17, 3:24 PM CST to 3:25 PM CST
Where: Franklin County, 3.04 mi ESE of Williamsburg
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.460, -95.420

Measured from a personal weather station.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: April 17, 3:25 PM CST to 3:26 PM CST
Where: Franklin County, 3 mi NW of Homewood
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.550, -95.420

Pea size hail also reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: April 17, 3:35 PM CST to 3:36 PM CST
Where: Franklin County, 0.69 mi N of Ottawa Muni Arpt
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 38.540, -95.250

Site was an Awos station (KOWI).

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: April 17, 3:35 PM CST to 3:36 PM CST
Where: Franklin County, 0.69 mi S of Ottawa
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.610, -95.270

Wind gusts were estimated between 60-65 mph.

Hail, Franklin

When: April 17, 3:48 PM CST to 3:49 PM CST
Where: Franklin County, 2.14 mi SSW of Le Loup
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.670, -95.160

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kansas in 2026 Every state in 2026 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Kansas, 2026 Warnings in Kansas, April 2026

Sources

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: 1324054, 1324056, 1324057, 1324058, 1318861, 1324059, 1324061, 1324062, 1324063, 1324064, 1324065.