Slow-moving thunderstorms moved southeast across Hitchcock County during the morning hours on the 23rd. The resultant heavy rainfall produced flash flooding along CR 350 between CR 718 and 720.
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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.
Slow-moving thunderstorms moved southeast across Hitchcock County during the morning hours on the 23rd. The resultant heavy rainfall produced flash flooding along CR 350 between CR 718 and 720. Water remained over the road into the afternoon.
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 Jun 23, 2:00 AM CST, 3 hours earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Goodland KS
200 AM MDT Tue Jun 23 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Sub-severe showers/storms and fog are forecast for most of
the area this morning.
- Severe storms capable of producing up to 3 inch diameter hail,
80 mph wind gusts and maybe a tornado or two are possible this
afternoon and evening. The favored area is Eastern Colorado,
but the entire area has a chance.
- Locations that received heavy rain during the past 24-48 hours
are more prone to experience flash flooding, should additional
heavy rain occur this afternoon.
- Severe weather chances continue through at least Thursday.
&&
.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Issued at 156 AM MDT Tue Jun 23 2026
Current observations show an upper low close to the US/Canada border
around MT/ND. Meanwhile, a large upper high is positioned
across much of the Southwestern and Southern United States. This
has been giving the area persistent northwest flow aloft. Near
the surface, there is a broad high pressure system across much
of the Midwest, with lower surface pressure over the Rockies.
This has kept the area in decent southerly/southeasterly flow
with speeds around 10-20 mph. This has also been transporting
low level moisture into the area with dewpoints generally in the
60s. The combination of these conditions has been supporting
the storms that we had earlier in the day. However, the constant
convection that has been in place the last few hours seems to
be draining the instability as storm intensity and coverage have
been lowering across the southern parts of the area. This
shifts concerns to northern parts of the area where additional
storms have been developing near Southwestern Nebraska. With the
help of the upper low axis swinging southeast, the storms might
be able to shift south into the area during the early morning
hours. If this is the case, showers and storms could linger in
Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas through much of the day.
They would likely be sub-severe with little instability from
prior convection and increased low level cloud cover and fog
that is forecast to move in this morning with the moisture
advection. With the cloud cover and showers/storms, most of the
area should only warm into the 70s with 80s more likely for
counties along the Colorado border (away from the forecast
showers/storms).
This afternoon and evening, 2 different scenarios may play out. If
the showers, storms, and cloud cover linger in most of the area,
additional convection will be limited to whatever storms develop
along the higher terrain to the west of the area within the
continued upper level northwest flow. The other scenario is that we
get a break further east into the area that allows initial storms to
develop in counties along the Colorado border. In the second
scenario, we would not only have the initial storms, but the storms
moving in from the west as well. This presents a risk for
significant severe weather, mainly in Eastern Colorado and adjacent
counties. The forecast environment is forecast to have MUCAPE around
2000-3500 J/kg, 0-6km shear around 50-60 kts, and downshear vectors
around 50-60 kts. This would suggest and environment supportive of
very large hail up to 3 inches and wind damaging wind gusts likely
around 60-70 mph, but maybe up to 80 mph. With the high amounts of
shear, large hail may struggle to form as storms split and cluster.
Storm motions though around 15-25 mph may be slow enough to keep the
updraft together. The slow storms motions also pose a flooding
problem with these storms likely to be efficient rain makers. A
tornado or two may be possible as storms get themselves
together initially, but weak low level shear less than 10 kts
may hinder a bit too much. LCLs around 1000 meters also would
only marginally support tornadoes. Be careful though as a strong
tornado may occur with an isolated and well organized
supercell.
Late this evening and into tonight, the storms should cluster and
move east/southeast across the area. Depending on where the cluster
forms, the cluster could move across the entire area with wind as
the main threat at that point. Otherwise, those south of I-70
currently seemed to be favored. Once the cluster moves out of the
area, some linger showers/storms may be isolated across the area.
The main story then will be the cloud cover and fog moving back into
most of the area. In the absence of storms, the fog may be
dense at times. Temperatures should stay in the 60s, with maybe
some 50s for western portions of the area if the skies can
clear.
&&
.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Issued at 126 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026
Chances for showers and thunderstorms continue Wednesday and
Thursday for the county warning area (CWA). Our region is forecast
to be in a mostly zonal flow with multiple shortwaves traversing
through the area. Severe weather is possible for the CWA with
Probability of Precipitation (PoPs) from 60-90% Wednesday and
Thursday. The environment is moderately unstable with around 1500-
2500 J/kg of CAPE and 20-40 knots of deep-layer shear. Supercells
with large hail and strong winds are possible withs storms that
develop. Flooding will also be a concern since the entire CWA has
received substantial rain recently.
Friday, we enter more of a weak ridging pattern with an incoming
trough west of the Rocky Mountains. Expect sunny skies and high
temperatures forecast in the 80s. Saturday through the end of the
forecast period continues to warm with high temperatures forecast in
the mid to high 90s for the CWA.
&&
.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 1036 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026
For KGLD & KMCK... VFR conditions are forecast through about
10Z, before ceilings then lower to around 500-1500ft. The
ceilings are then forecast to be low through about 16-18Z, maybe
21Z for KMCK. A caveat for the ceilings is that there is a near
persistent chance for showers and storms through the period.
KGLD's chances are around 15-30% while KMCK is around 50-70%.
The issue is that these showers/storms are forecast to be
scattered, leading to hit and miss periods. The short version is
just be prepared for showers/storms and hope to catch a break.
The severe chances have lowered, but small hail is possible
through 15-18Z. After that, large hail and wind gusts above 50
kts are possible with storms.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 209 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026
Through Thursday, we are looking at near daily chances of convection
as PWATs range around 0.9-1.75 inch. We are also expecting 0C level
to be around 15,000 feet AGL, leading to deep melting layers,
promoting efficient rainfall producing storms.
A Flood Watch has been issued for Dundy, Hitchcock, Cheyenne (KS),
Rawlins and Decatur counties until Tuesday morning. Over the past 48
hours, 3-6 inches of rain has fallen in the area, leading to
flooding. Additional storms are expected through this morning,
which may compound the flooding issue.
Tuesday, another round of storms is forecast to impact the Tri-State
area. Intensity and location are still up in the air, based on
today's storms and how much convection occurs early Tuesday morning.
Through at least Thursday, there are returning chances of
precipitation across the CWA.
&&
.GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KS...Flood Watch until 7 AM CDT this morning for KSZ001>003.
CO...None.
NE...Flood Watch until 6 AM MDT /7 AM CDT/ early this morning for
NEZ079-080.
&&
SHORT TERM...KAK
LONG TERM...Rhoades
AVIATION...KAK
HYDROLOGY...CAHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Goodland KS 438 AM MDT Tue Jun 23 2026 COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-241045- Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne CO-Cheyenne KS-Rawlins-Decatur-Norton- Sherman-Thomas-Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita- Dundy-Hitchcock-Red Willow- 438 AM MDT Tue Jun 23 2026 /538 AM CDT Tue Jun 23 2026/ This hazardous weather outlook is for extreme southwest Nebraska... northwest Kansas and east central Colorado. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT... A Flash Flood Watch is in effect through Wednesday morning for portions of southwestern Nebraska and northwestern Kansas. Additional storms may compound flooding issues. Severe storms are possible this afternoon and evening, mainly favoring Eastern Colorado and adjacent counties. Possible hazards include hail up to 3 inches in diameter, 80 mph wind gusts, and a tornado or two. Damage to life and property is possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY... Severe storms remain possible each day through at least Thursday. The likely time for severe storms should be during the afternoon and evening hours. Large hail, damaging winds, and maybe a tornado would be possible with severe storms. A Flood Watch is in effect through Wednesday morning. Flash flooding threat will persist through the week as additional rounds of efficient rain producing storms move through the area. Driving through flooded roadways is dangerous. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Goodland KS 408 AM CDT Tue Jun 23 2026 KSZ042-230930- Wichita KS- 408 AM CDT Tue Jun 23 2026 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN WICHITA COUNTY THROUGH 430 AM CDT... At 408 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11 miles southwest of Modoc, moving east at 25 mph. HAZARD...Penny size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is possible. This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern Wichita County. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. && LAT...LON 3843 10128 3843 10113 3826 10113 3826 10128 TIME...MOT...LOC 0908Z 289DEG 21KT 3835 10121 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH KAK
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
553 AM CDT Tue Jun 23 2026
KSZ042-231130-
Wichita KS-
553 AM CDT Tue Jun 23 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EASTERN WICHITA COUNTY THROUGH
630 AM CDT...
At 553 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Leoti, moving east at 20 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.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of eastern Wichita
County, including the following locations... Marienthal.
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 3844 10145 3858 10139 3862 10113 3828 10113
TIME...MOT...LOC 1053Z 288DEG 18KT 3850 10132
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
TriggThe Goodland radar (KGLD), 104 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 11:01 UTC.
1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
A trained spotter reported water running over roads in a few spots. Water remained over the road into the afternoon.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nebraska in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Nebraska, June 2026
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: 1353454.