Hail in Kansas, April 9, 2026

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Wichita KS
258 PM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A few severe storms remain possible through the afternoon and
evening across central KS.

- Strong to severe storms possible Friday, then again early next
  week.

- Temperatures expected to largely remain above normal for this
  time of year through the next seven days, with highs in the
  70s and 80s.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 258 PM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

Current water vapor imagery and RAP analysis depict a mid/upper wave
tracking eastward across the Northern Plains while a secondary upper
low spins off the California coast. Showers and thunderstorms were
observed across portions of central and northeast Kansas earlier
today along a stationary front amid a 700 mb baroclinic zone.
Surface instability around 1000-1500 J/kg and 30-40 kts of deep-
layer shear currently observed along and near the I-70 corridor will
allow for a handful of showers and thunderstorms through the
remainder of the afternoon and evening. Primary concerns will be
large hail and damaging winds as the  gradually shifts
south on the nose of the LLJ later tonight.

The aforementioned frontal boundary is progged to track southward
through the overnight hours, with short-term guidance (HREF) placing
it roughly along and south of US-54 by 12Z Friday. While some
outliers carry this boundary as far south as US-160 and as far north
as US-50, model consensus is that daytime heating alongside
convergence along the front will promote continued chances for
showers and storms through the afternoon and evening hours. Mid-
level lapse rates around 7-8 C/km and deep-layer shear around 30 kts
will support the potential for large hail and damaging winds with
the strongest updrafts. However, strong to severe activity should
remain isolated especially as storms cluster and shift into
southeast KS. With stronger northeast winds advecting cooler air
into the northern half of KS, high temperatures north of US-50 are
expected to reach the mid 50s, while areas in southern KS could warm
into the low 70s.

A shortwave ridge will slide overhead early Saturday morning ahead
of a potent wave ejecting out of the Desert Southwest. We continue
to see the potential for a few storms developing late Saturday
afternoon amid limited capping, though as the previous forecast
noted, confidence is somewhat low at this time considering the lack
of a well-defined dryline/surface boundary. Better chances for rain
look to arrive late Saturday night into Sunday across southeast KS
as the mid/upper shortwave lifts into the Central Plains. High
temperatures for the weekend are forecast to return to the 70s and
low 80s, and these above-normal temperatures are expected to remain
in place through the middle of next week.

Attention then turns to Monday and Tuesday as another strong
mid/upper wave translates east into the Plains. Model prognosis
highlights ample instability and shear to support the return of
severe weather for this period. Stay tuned as additional details
come into focus.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1232 PM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

The surface front is located across the KS/NE border with breezy
southerly winds for all sites. Some mid level clouds and a few
passing sprinkles linger across central Kansas this afternoon.
By late afternoon/early evening, scattered showers and storms
will begin to redevelop across central KS leading to brief MVFR
conditions, primarily due to reduced vis in the heaviest rain.
This activity will drift south through the night as the surface
boundary sinks south, diminishing in intensity with scattered
light showers expected for all sites by 08-10Z. Behind the
front, cigs will also fall to MVFR/IFR levels through the end of
the period.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 258 PM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

Gusty winds and warm temperatures will promote very high
grassland fire danger through early this evening for areas west
of the Kansas Turnpike, then again Monday and Tuesday afternoons
for portions of central and south central Kansas.

Periodic showers and storms along with continued green up may
gradually begin to reduce the fire weather risk over the
upcoming days.

&&

.ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

DISCUSSION...JWK
AVIATION...AMD
FIRE WEATHER...JWK

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Wichita KS
502 PM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-102015-
Russell-Lincoln-Barton-Ellsworth-Saline-Rice-McPherson-Marion-Chase-
Reno-Harvey-Butler-Greenwood-Woodson-Allen-Kingman-Sedgwick-Harper-
Sumner-Cowley-Elk-Wilson-Neosho-Chautauqua-Montgomery-Labette-
502 PM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of Central Kansas,
South Central Kansas and Southeast Kansas.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Severe storms will be possible across central Kansas along the I-70
corridor, mainly after 5 pm. The strongest activity may be capable
of producing golf ball sized hail and 60-65 mph wind gusts. Storms
may build southward this evening and tonight while gradually
diminishing in intensity after midnight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

Strong and severe thunderstorms will remain in the forecast through
Tuesday, with multiple rounds of storms expected through the
period. Repeated rounds of heavy rain could lead to ponding of
water and localized flooding.

We continue to monitor the beginning of next week where we could
see more impactful severe thunderstorms capable of all modes of
severe weather.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated tonight but any reports of
hail or high winds are appreciated.

&&

For a graphical version of this information, see our webpage at:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=ict

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
200 PM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

KSC053-105-167-091945-
Lincoln KS-Ellsworth KS-Russell KS-
200 PM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

...GUSTY SHOWERS WILL IMPACT  THROUGH 245 PM CDT...

At 159 PM CDT, an area of showers producing strong winds were
located across portions of central Kansas.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph.

SOURCE...Russell Municipal Airport reported a 67 mph wind gust at
         141 PM CDT.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Russell, Ellsworth, Wilson, Kanopolis, Lincoln, Holyrood, Lucas,
Gorham, Sylvan Grove, Geneseo, Luray, Dorrance, Beverly, Lorraine,
Barnard, Milberger, Bunker Hill, Paradise, Waldo, and Kanopolis Lake.

This includes Interstate 70 between Mile Markers 175 and 235.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3922 9793 3852 9792 3852 9848 3870 9848
      3870 9904 3913 9904 3913 9849 3922 9849
TIME...MOT...LOC 1859Z 240DEG 48KT 3885 9866

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

CUELLAR

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wichita KS
209 PM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

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

0141 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Russell Airport         38.87N 98.82W
04/09/2026  M67 MPH          Russell            KS   ASOS

            ASOS station KRSL Russell Municipal Airport.
            Occurred with a very light shower passing
            through the area.

&&

JC

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wichita KS
230 PM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

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

0141 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Russell Airport         38.87N 98.82W
04/09/2026  M67 MPH          Russell            KS   ASOS

            Edits previous non-tstm wnd gst report from
            Russell Airport. Occurred with a very light
            shower passing through the area. Per the EM,
            power was knocked out in Russell due to the
            wind gust, but it has since been restored as
            of 2:25PM CDT.

&&

JC

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wichita KS
250 PM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

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

0145 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 S Russell             38.86N 98.85W
04/09/2026                   Russell            KS   Public

            Video on social media shows a semi truck
            blown over at the I-70 and US-281 junction.
            Time was estimated base on reports from the
            Russell Municipal Airport of a 67-mph gust
            at 141PM CDT and a 61-mph gust at 153PM CDT.

&&

JC

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wichita KS
340 PM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

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

0200 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 NNE Bunker Hill       38.91N 98.67W
04/09/2026  M58 MPH          Russell            KS   Mesonet

            Measured wind gust from a Kansas State
            Mesonet site located about 3 miles northeast
            of Bunker Hill. Occurred with a light rain
            shower.

&&

JC