During the late evening hours, decaying eastward-moving thunderstorms south, southeast, and east of the region produced a 58 mph non-thunderstorm wind gust at McCook.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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.
During the late evening hours, decaying eastward-moving thunderstorms south, southeast, and east of the region produced a 58 mph non-thunderstorm wind gust at McCook.
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 30, 4:57 PM CST, 5 hours 10 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Goodland KS 457 PM MDT Tue Jun 30 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Hot temperatures are likely to persist through the remainder of the week. - Scattered thunderstorms this afternoon and evening may produce 1-2 inch hail and winds up around 75 MPH, leading to blowing dust. Blowing dust may lead to localized brownout conditions. Most likely timing for storms is between 3 PM and 10 PM MT. - Scattered thunderstorms may occur again tomorrow afternoon and evening. Localized wind gusts up to 65 mph are the primary threat, but hail up to 1.5 inches is also possible. - A mainly dry period is expected Thursday and Friday before another chance for storms on Saturday. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/... Issued at 1225 PM MDT Tue Jun 30 2026 Over the next couple of days, we will be sitting under southwesterly flow as a high sits over the east central CONUS and a low sits around the Great Basin region. This will allow shortwaves to ride the jet and cause disturbances in the CWA. This will lead to hot and dry conditions at the surface with chances at storms with any shortwave troughs. Today, before we get the bulk of our first shortwave trough, temperatures will climb into the 90s, with tomorrow being pretty similar. We have a weak dryline set up from about Norcatur, through Colby, down to around Leoti. This is allowing some weak convection fire off in the midday. This midday convection may weaken the environment for this afternoon and evening's event. Around 20-22Z, a 500 mb shortwave trough is expected to be pushing into the CWA. This will fire off storms in the far southern portions of the CWA. These storms will move northeast, and should exit around 4-7Z. We are looking at high-based storms in an inverted V environment, meaning there is effectively no tornadic potential. However, dry micro bursts are possible today. Additionally, there was some guidance overnight suggesting the storms cluster together and a bowing segment forms. These may lead to gusts as high as 70-75 kts. If gusts above 50 kts occur, blowing dust becomes likely, including plumes and a wall of dust leading to brownout conditions. In combination of the midday convection and weak forcing, there is a 20% chance that only a couple of storms fire, and may even remain sub-severe. Tonight, we could see some lingering showers until as late as 9Z, but little precipitation is expected from them or the main storms in the evening. Lows look to cool into the upper 50s in the northwestern CWA and low 70s in the eastern CWA. Yuma county, which looks to be the coolest spot tonight, has a 15% chance of seeing some patchy fog around sunrise in valleys. Tomorrow is very similar to today, but with less mid-level forcing for the storms and less potential for midday convection. The storms tomorrow look to fire off the dryline 21-00Z. The dryline looks to be northeast/southwest oriented around the Tribune to Norcatur area. This is also the direction storms will be traveling. Due to this orientation, and storms more likely to stay along the boundary, there is an increased risk of landspouts, mainly between 22-2Z. However, winds up to 60 kts and hail up to 1.5 inches look to be the main threats. Tomorrow night, we could see lingering showers and weak storms stick around until as late as 12Z. Once again, we're not expecting a lot of precipitation to come out of these storms. However, if the storms train over the same area, localized amounts up to 2 inches of rain is possible on the northeastern extent of the line of convection. Temperatures look be similar to tonight's, as well as the low end fog threat.&& .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... Issued at 1157 AM MDT Mon Jun 29 2026 Scattered convection looks to remain possible Wednesday. Then as upper level ridging noses northward Thursday into Friday, a lull in convection appears to occur. By Saturday a strong shortwave is slated to cross the Northern Plains. Our area will be on the southern flank of the stronger forcing, but there will be some chance for storms as a cold front settles southward through the area. Upper level ridging then begins to build northward Sunday into the first of next week. It will be quite warm through the period, with the hottest day slated to be Friday, when highs in the upper 90s to near 100 are expected. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... Issued at 135 PM MDT Tue Jun 30 2026 ***Thursday/Friday*** Thursday morning, a 500-mb high looks to be set up across the Eastern United States, with troughing across the west. This pattern would produce southwesterly upper-level flow across the County Warning Area (CWA). Several shortwave systems may be embedded in this flow. GEFS and EC 500-mb mean-spread guidance is consistent on a shortwave ridge overhead to start the period, with a shortwave trough that comes through during the afternoon and evening hours. A surface low pressure at the leading edge of this shortwave trough would establish southerly surface winds across the forecast region throughout the day. Temperatures are likely to be hot, with current forecast guidance suggesting highs in the mid to upper 90s across the area. Winds to the south of the low may be a bit more southwesterly. This would promote drying conditions, particularly across portions of East-Central Colorado. According to LREF guidance, the western halves of Kit Carson and Cheyenne Counties in Colorado have over a 50% chance of relative humidities (RH) dropping below 15%, with as high as an 80% chance along their western borders. Forecast guidance suggests that RH values dropping into the single-digits. Wind gusts may increase through the afternoon hours as well, with NBM guidance suggesting up to a 75% chance for gusts to exceed critical fire weather criteria (>25 mph). The good news is that recent rainfall may prevent significant drying of fuels, limiting the risk for critical fire weather. If fuels can become dry enough, a Red Flag Warning may need to be considered across this zone. Thunderstorm activity may also be in play Thursday afternoon and evening ahead of a dryline. LREF guidance suggests a 75% chance or greater to see surface-based CAPE (a measure of atmospheric instability) values 1000 J/kg or higher along and east of Kansas Highway 25. However, the same guidance suggests that 0-500mb wind shear will max out around 30 kts in this zone, which would suggest mostly non-severe thunderstorms. The best chance for any severe weather would be if near 90th percentile CAPE can be experienced (2500-3500 J/kg), which could promote hail earlier in the storms' life cycles. Confidence in severe thunderstorms occurring Thursday afternoon and evening is 5% or less at this time. Similar conditions are possible on Friday, except without the thunderstorm potential. High temperatures are currently forecast in the mid 90s to lower 100s. Forecast guidance suggests that RH values may drop into the mid single-digits in some locations of East- Central Colorado. However, wind gusts look to be a bit lighter during the afternoon than on Thursday. Even if fuels are able to dry out significantly by then, the confidence in a Red Flag Warning being needed is low at this time. ***Saturday*** Ensemble guidance is confident in troughing from the west lifting northeast by Saturday, as another shortwave trough moves in overhead. As this occurs, a cold front is favored to move through the area. High temperatures are forecast slightly lower in the lower to upper 90s, but RH values look to improve a bit as this process takes place. Thunderstorms may occur along the cold front as well. LREF guidance suggests that 0-500mb shear may reach the 30-40 kt range, which could support some thunderstorms becoming severe. Even so, confidence in a severe event Saturday afternoon and evening is only about 5%. ***Sunday-Tuesday*** Upper-level ridging looks to take over by Sunday, and last through the end of the forecast period. A slow moving high at the leading edge of this system may prevent winds from becoming fully out of the south until Tuesday. This is reflected in the forecast highs of upper 80s and lower 90s Sunday and Monday, and low to mid 90s on Tuesday. Additionally, easterly surface winds from this high on Sunday and Monday could produce a convergence zone across Kansas. This boundary may support thunderstorm development as well. Confidence is low at this time that these storms will become severe. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/... Issued at 454 PM MDT Tue Jun 30 2026 For KGLD & KMCK... VFR conditions are forecast through the period, but ceilings may drop a bit below 3000ft if a storm can move over the terminal. The best window for storms looks to be between 01-03Z. Be alert that these storms could produce large hail and wind gusts in excess of 60 kts. After the storms pass, the low level jet should kick in with winds around 200-400ft at 45-50kts. This should cause low level wind shear through about 12-14Z. After that, winds lower a bit while staying roughly from the south/southeast. && .GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KS...None. CO...None. NE...None. && SHORT TERM...CA LONG TERM...Davis AVIATION...KAK
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Goodland KS 907 PM MDT Tue Jun 30 2026 COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-020315- Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne CO-Cheyenne KS-Rawlins-Decatur-Norton- Sherman-Thomas-Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita- Dundy-Hitchcock-Red Willow- 907 PM MDT Tue Jun 30 2026 /1007 PM CDT Tue Jun 30 2026/ This hazardous weather outlook is for extreme southwest Nebraska... northwest Kansas and east central Colorado. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT... An isolated severe storm capable of producing quarter to half dollar size hail and 60 mph wind gusts is possible late this evening, mainly in northwest Kansas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH TUESDAY... Scattered thunderstorms may develop over the area Wednesday afternoon and evening. Localized wind gusts up to 65 mph are the primary threat, but hail up to 1.5 inches is also possible. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions. Vincent
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
832 PM MDT Tue Jun 30 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0548 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Leoti 38.48N 101.35W
06/30/2026 Wichita KS Emergency Mngr
Picture of a porta-potty laying on its side;
time estimated from radar.
&&
CLDPreliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Goodland KS
838 PM MDT Tue Jun 30 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0547 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 5 SE Selkirk 38.43N 101.46W
06/30/2026 M81 MPH Wichita KS Mesonet
EM relayed report of measured 81 mph wind
gust with sustained winds around 64 mph.
0548 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Leoti 38.48N 101.35W
06/30/2026 Wichita KS Emergency Mngr
Picture of a porta-potty laying on its side;
time estimated from radar.
0548 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Leoti 38.48N 101.36W
06/30/2026 Wichita KS Emergency Mngr
Picture of a large downed tree limb; time
estimated from radar.
0548 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Leoti 38.48N 101.36W
06/30/2026 Wichita KS Emergency Mngr
Damage to a carport, picture taken of truck
holding the carport up. Time estimated from
radar.
0548 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Leoti 38.48N 101.36W
06/30/2026 Wichita KS Emergency Mngr
3 pictures of large tree limbs down; time
estimated from radar.
0552 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 S Leoti 38.46N 101.36W
06/30/2026 M61 MPH Wichita KS AWOS
AWOS station K3K7 Leoti Airport.
0600 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 16 SSE Wallace 38.70N 101.47W
06/30/2026 M69 MPH Wichita KS Mesonet
Weather Underground; AERO B RANCH -
KKSWALLA4.
0614 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 W Leoti 38.48N 101.42W
06/30/2026 Wichita KS Emergency Mngr
Tin blown off the top of a shed.
0724 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 ENE Colby 39.40N 101.01W
06/30/2026 M62 MPH Thomas KS Mesonet
Site KKSCOLBY59 measured 62 mph wind gust.
0728 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 WNW Hoxie 39.36N 100.46W
06/30/2026 M59 MPH Sheridan KS Mesonet
Davis site; Six Toes Feed and Seed.
0728 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 WNW Hoxie 39.36N 100.46W
06/30/2026 M59 MPH Sheridan KS Mesonet
Site Six Toes Feed & Seed measured 59 mph
wind gust.
0554 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 13 SSW Russell Springs 38.74N 101.26W
06/30/2026 M70 MPH Logan KS Mesonet
Site Aero B Ranch measured a 70 mph wind
gust.
0517 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 S Tribune 38.45N 101.75W
06/30/2026 M58 MPH Greeley KS AWOS
Corrects previous tstm wnd gst report from 1
S Tribune. KTRB measured 58 mph gust.
0531 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 8 NNE Tribune 38.57N 101.70W
06/30/2026 M58 MPH Greeley KS Mesonet
Site 8 NNE Tribune measured 58 mph gust.
0701 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Campus 39.12N 100.74W
06/30/2026 M62 MPH Gove KS Mesonet
Site WPE Weather measured 62 mph wind gust.
0709 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 E Grinnell 39.12N 100.57W
06/30/2026 M60 MPH Gove KS Mesonet
UP830.
0709 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 W Gove 38.96N 100.55W
06/30/2026 M70 MPH Gove KS Public
Public Report west of Gove.
0718 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 6 S Idalia 39.61N 102.31W
06/30/2026 E60 MPH Yuma CO Trained Spotter
Trained spotter estimated winds gusting
around 40-60 mph.
0718 PM Hail 6 S Idalia 39.61N 102.31W
06/30/2026 E1.00 Inch Yuma CO Trained Spotter
Trained spotter reports hail around nickel
to quarter in size.
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
944 PM CDT Tue Jun 30 2026
KSZ001-002-010300-
Rawlins KS-Cheyenne KS-
944 PM CDT Tue Jun 30 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN CHEYENNE AND
SOUTHWESTERN RAWLINS COUNTIES IN NORTHWESTERN KANSAS THROUGH 1000 PM
CDT...
At 944 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles south of Bird City, or 15 miles southeast of St. Francis,
moving northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 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 strong thunderstorm will be near...
Bird City around 950 PM CDT.
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.
This thunderstorm is producing minor accumulations of hail, which
will make driving hazardous, similar to snow or ice. If you must
travel, be aware of rapidly changing road conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 3984 10110 3957 10125 3957 10180 3987 10164
TIME...MOT...LOC 0244Z 209DEG 41KT 3962 10159
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
TriggSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
945 PM CDT Tue Jun 30 2026
KSZ004-010315-
Norton KS-
945 PM CDT Tue Jun 30 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EASTERN NORTON COUNTY THROUGH
1015 PM CDT...
At 945 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles south of Almena, or 10 miles east of Norton, moving northeast
at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 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 Norton
County, including the following locations... Densmore and Calvert.
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.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3957 9988 4000 9993 4000 9963 3957 9963
TIME...MOT...LOC 0245Z 220DEG 47KT 3978 9971
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
TriggSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1001 PM CDT Tue Jun 30 2026
KSZ014-015-028-029-010315-
Gove KS-Sheridan KS-Thomas KS-Logan KS-
1001 PM CDT Tue Jun 30 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN THOMAS...
NORTHEASTERN LOGAN...SOUTHWESTERN SHERIDAN AND NORTHWESTERN GOVE
COUNTIES THROUGH 1015 PM CDT...
At 1000 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Oakley, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 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 strong thunderstorm will be near...
Oakley around 1005 PM CDT.
This includes Interstate 70 in Kansas between mile markers 63 and 86.
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 3899 10089 3914 10124 3934 10084 3910 10060
TIME...MOT...LOC 0300Z 227DEG 36KT 3909 10090
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
TriggSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1029 PM CDT Tue Jun 30 2026
KSZ014-015-029-010345-
Gove KS-Sheridan KS-Thomas KS-
1029 PM CDT Tue Jun 30 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN THOMAS...
SOUTHWESTERN SHERIDAN AND NORTHWESTERN GOVE COUNTIES THROUGH 1045 PM
CDT...
At 1029 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles south of Menlo, or 9 miles northeast of Oakley, moving
northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 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 strong thunderstorm will be near...
Menlo around 1040 PM CDT.
This includes Interstate 70 in Kansas between mile markers 58 and 91.
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.
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 3896 10070 3910 10081 3913 10081 3913 10084
3933 10101 3949 10074 3923 10039
TIME...MOT...LOC 0329Z 224DEG 29KT 3925 10076
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
TriggThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The high winds blew out of the south, and were measured at the McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport. They were likely associated with outflow from decaying eastward-moving showers and thunderstorms well south, southeast, and east of the area.
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: 1354770.