From Triple-Digit Heat to Damaging Winds: Northwest Kansas Weather Changes in a Hurry

Northwest Kansas experienced another dramatic weather turnaround Monday, July 27, as dangerous afternoon heat gave way to a cold front that produced blowing dust, heavy rain, and a few isolated severe thunderstorms by evening.

The day began with oppressive heat across the region. Heat index values climbed well into the triple digits before storms developed. Weather stations reported heat index readings as high as 119 degrees near Oberlin, 116 degrees near Norton, 110 degrees at St. Francis and near Atwood, and 108 degrees north of Colby.

As the cold front moved south, strong winds kicked up widespread blowing dust across portions of western Kansas. The National Weather Service issued a Blowing Dust Warning for Gove, Graham, and Sheridan counties, warning of visibility dropping to as little as one quarter mile.

The first reports arrived around 5:30 p.m. when a Kansas Department of Transportation camera east of Oakley showed visibility reduced to about one half mile in blowing dust. Minutes later, a public report from Campus included photos showing visibility between one quarter and one half mile. The blowing dust created hazardous travel conditions, particularly along Interstate 70.

While the storms were not widespread, a few became strong to severe as they tracked across the area.

The most significant local damage occurred south of Mingo near the Wilson Farm. Shania Wilson shared photos (shown below) with NWKS Radio showing grain bins blown over and large trees uprooted by the powerful winds.

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In the same area, Thomas County Emergency Management reported a semi was blown over on Interstate 70 near Mingo around 6:10 p.m. The National Weather Service later included the overturned semi in its preliminary local storm reports, associating the incident with thunderstorm winds.

Interestingly, there were no active Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in effect for Thomas County at the time the damage occurred. The National Weather Service in Goodland is aware of the reports from the Mingo area and will be reviewing the event to determine what caused the localized damage. While thunderstorms were moving through the area, forecasters will evaluate whether the damage was produced by a localized downburst, microburst, or another weather phenomenon.

A strong thunderstorm later moved through eastern Thomas County, prompting a Special Weather Statement for areas including Mingo and Halford. The storm was capable of producing wind gusts up to 50 mph, pea-size hail, torrential rainfall, frequent lightning, and localized flooding.

Rainfall was highly variable, but some locations received significant amounts. A trained weather spotter measured 4.00 inches of rain about seven miles northwest of Atwood in Rawlins County. In neighboring Yuma County, Colorado, emergency dispatch reported 3.00 inches of rain southeast of Hale. The heavy rainfall also caused rapid rises on the South Fork of the Republican River, prompting a Flood Advisory for western Cheyenne County, including the St. Francis area, Monday evening.

Other notable storm reports included:

• 62 mph thunderstorm wind gust northwest of Max, Nebraska

• 61 mph wind gust near Idalia, Colorado

• 50 mph wind gust north of Ludell in Rawlins County

  
  

Monday served as another reminder of how quickly weather can change across the High Plains. Communities went from dangerous triple-digit heat during the afternoon to blowing dust, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall in just a matter of hours.

Looking Ahead

The active weather pattern continues today, Tuesday, July 28.

The National Weather Service says patchy fog is possible this morning, mainly along and north of Interstate 70. Additional showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon and evening.

Eastern Colorado has the greatest chance for stronger storms, but parts of northwest Kansas could also see thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, very heavy rainfall, and areas of blowing dust. Storm chances are expected to continue through much of the week, especially during the afternoon and evening hours.

NWKS Radio will continue to monitor the forecast and provide updates on-air, on Facebook, and online at nwksradio.net as conditions develop.