Storm Prediction Center

WW 0217 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 217 THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES ACROSS THE ENTIRE WATCH AREA. ..JEWELL..05/18/26 ATTN...WFO...DDC... STATUS REPORT FOR WT 217 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS KSC047-057-083-097-135-145-151-165-185-180340- KS . KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE EDWARDS FORD HODGEMAN KIOWA NESS PAWNEE PRATT RUSH STAFFORD THE WATCH STATUS MESSAGE IS FOR GUIDANCE PURPOSES ONLY. PLEASE REFER TO WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION STATEMENTS FOR OFFICIAL INFORMATION ON COUNTIES...INDEPENDENT CITIES AND MARINE ZONES CLEARED FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND TORNADO WATCHES. Read more

WW 0217 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 217 THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES ACROSS THE ENTIRE WATCH AREA. ..JEWELL..05/18/26 ATTN...WFO...DDC... STATUS REPORT FOR WT 217 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS KSC047-057-083-097-135-145-151-165-185-180340- KS . KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE EDWARDS FORD HODGEMAN KIOWA NESS PAWNEE PRATT RUSH STAFFORD THE WATCH STATUS MESSAGE IS FOR GUIDANCE PURPOSES ONLY. PLEASE REFER TO WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION STATEMENTS FOR OFFICIAL INFORMATION ON COUNTIES...INDEPENDENT CITIES AND MARINE ZONES CLEARED FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND TORNADO WATCHES. Read more

WW 0217 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 217 THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES ACROSS THE ENTIRE WATCH AREA. ..JEWELL..05/18/26 ATTN...WFO...DDC... STATUS REPORT FOR WT 217 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS KSC047-057-083-097-135-145-151-165-185-180340- KS . KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE EDWARDS FORD HODGEMAN KIOWA NESS PAWNEE PRATT RUSH STAFFORD THE WATCH STATUS MESSAGE IS FOR GUIDANCE PURPOSES ONLY. PLEASE REFER TO WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION STATEMENTS FOR OFFICIAL INFORMATION ON COUNTIES...INDEPENDENT CITIES AND MARINE ZONES CLEARED FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND TORNADO WATCHES. Read more

WW 0217 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 217 THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES ACROSS THE ENTIRE WATCH AREA. ..JEWELL..05/18/26 ATTN...WFO...DDC... STATUS REPORT FOR WT 217 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS KSC047-057-083-097-135-145-151-165-185-180340- KS . KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE EDWARDS FORD HODGEMAN KIOWA NESS PAWNEE PRATT RUSH STAFFORD THE WATCH STATUS MESSAGE IS FOR GUIDANCE PURPOSES ONLY. PLEASE REFER TO WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION STATEMENTS FOR OFFICIAL INFORMATION ON COUNTIES...INDEPENDENT CITIES AND MARINE ZONES CLEARED FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND TORNADO WATCHES. Read more

WW 217 TORNADO KS 180040Z - 180400Z
URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Tornado Watch Number 217 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 740 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026 The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a * Tornado Watch for portions of Southwest Kansas * Effective this Sunday evening from 740 PM until 1100 PM CDT. * Primary threats include... A couple tornadoes possible Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5 inches in diameter possible Isolated damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible SUMMARY...Intensifying thunderstorms will likely pose a risk for large to very large hail this evening as storms develop near a cold front and retreating dryline. A couple of tornadoes are possible, especially if a supercell can become established as low-level wind shear strengthens this evening. The tornado watch area is approximately along and 45 statute miles east and west of a line from 30 miles northeast of Russell KS to 35 miles southeast of Dodge City KS. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU7). PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. && OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 213...WW 214...WW 215...WW 216... AVIATION...Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to 2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector 23025. ...Smith Read more

WW 0216 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 216 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 30 ENE OTG TO 15 N FRM TO 30 NNW MKT. ..JEWELL..05/18/26 ATTN...WFO...DMX...ARX...MPX... STATUS REPORT FOR WT 216 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IAC017-023-033-037-063-065-067-069-081-089-091-109-131-147-151- 189-191-195-197-180340- IA . IOWA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE BREMER BUTLER CERRO GORDO CHICKASAW EMMET FAYETTE FLOYD FRANKLIN HANCOCK HOWARD HUMBOLDT KOSSUTH MITCHELL PALO ALTO POCAHONTAS WINNEBAGO WINNESHIEK WORTH WRIGHT MNC013-039-043-045-047-091-099-103-109-147-161-180340- MN . MINNESOTA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE BLUE EARTH DODGE FARIBAULT FILLMORE FREEBORN MARTIN MOWER NICOLLET OLMSTED STEELE WASECA Read more

WW 0218 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 218 THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES ACROSS THE ENTIRE WATCH AREA. ..JEWELL..05/18/26 ATTN...WFO...DMX...EAX... STATUS REPORT FOR WT 218 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IAC001-003-009-013-015-025-027-029-039-047-049-053-073-075-077- 079-083-099-117-121-123-125-127-135-153-157-159-161-169-171-173- 175-181-185-187-180340- IA . IOWA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE ADAIR ADAMS AUDUBON BLACK HAWK BOONE CALHOUN CARROLL CASS CLARKE CRAWFORD DALLAS DECATUR GREENE GRUNDY GUTHRIE HAMILTON HARDIN JASPER LUCAS MADISON MAHASKA MARION MARSHALL MONROE POLK POWESHIEK RINGGOLD SAC STORY TAMA TAYLOR UNION WARREN WAYNE WEBSTER KSC043-180340- KS . KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE Read more

WW 0214 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 214 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 20 WNW RSL TO 25 WSW CNK TO 20 NNE CNK TO 5 W BIE TO 25 SE LNK TO 15 WNW OMA TO 15 N OMA TO 20 NE TQE. ..JEWELL..05/18/26 ATTN...WFO...OAX...TOP...GID...ICT... STATUS REPORT FOR WT 214 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IAC071-085-129-137-145-155-165-180340- IA . IOWA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE FREMONT HARRISON MILLS MONTGOMERY PAGE POTTAWATTAMIE SHELBY KSC009-013-027-029-041-053-061-105-117-123-131-143-149-159-161- 167-169-201-180340- KS . KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE BARTON BROWN CLAY CLOUD DICKINSON ELLSWORTH GEARY LINCOLN MARSHALL MITCHELL NEMAHA OTTAWA POTTAWATOMIE RICE RILEY RUSSELL SALINE WASHINGTON Read more

MD 0762 CONCERNING SEVERE POTENTIAL...TORNADO WATCH LIKELY FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN IOWA
Mesoscale Discussion 0762 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0740 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026 Areas affected...portions of central and southern Iowa Concerning...Severe potential...Tornado Watch likely Valid 180040Z - 180145Z Probability of Watch Issuance...80 percent SUMMARY...A severe threat will accompany an approaching QLCS. Severe wind and hail will be the most predominant threats, but isolated line-embedded tornadoes may also occur. A Tornado Watch will be needed soon to address the impending threat. DISCUSSION...An elongated persistent convective system with a history of severe wind and hail is approaching the NE/IA border, and is poised to exit the ongoing Tornado Watches in the next few hours as the line advances further into IA. Across IA, which resides south of the warm front and ahead of a surface trough, a highly buoyant and sheared warm sector exists. Roughly 80 F/70 F surface temperatures/dewpoints overspread by 8+ C/km mid-level lapse rates is contributing up to 3000 J/kg MLCAPE per 00Z mesoanalysis. Meanwhile, mesoanalysis also shows a LLJ increasing to 40 kts over IA. These analyses roughly matches the 00Z OAX observed sounding, which shows near 8 C/km mid-level lapse rates and nearly 3000 J/kg MLCAPE, as well as a curved low-level hodograph with over 300 m2/s2 effective SRH. Given the aforementioned environment, the current thinking is that a QLCS will progress across central IA, accompanied by a severe wind/hail threat. Isolated QLCS tornadoes are possible with any mesovortices that materialize, and focused corridors of severe wind will accompany any bowing segments. A couple of gusts over 75 mph cannot be ruled out. A Tornado Watch will be needed in the next couple of hours. ..Squitieri/Smith.. 05/18/2026 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product... ATTN...WFO...DMX...OAX... LAT...LON 40629324 40659508 40949540 41659531 42429520 42639418 42689354 42539274 42169243 41579252 40879275 40679299 40629324 MOST PROBABLE PEAK TORNADO INTENSITY...100-125 MPH MOST PROBABLE PEAK WIND GUST...65-80 MPH MOST PROBABLE PEAK HAIL SIZE...1.00-1.75 IN Read more

MD 0763 CONCERNING TORNADO WATCH 216... FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHERN IOWA INTO SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Mesoscale Discussion 0763 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0749 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026 Areas affected...portions of northern Iowa into southern Minnesota Concerning...Tornado Watch 216... Valid 180049Z - 180145Z The severe weather threat for Tornado Watch 216 continues. SUMMARY...The threat for severe wind/hail and a few tornadoes continues with the stronger storms, particularly those along the warm front. DISCUSSION...Multicell clusters and supercell structures have developed ahead of an elongated QLCS, which have a history of hail, low-level rotation, and at least one brief tornado. These storms are showing strong rotation as they cross the warm front, where the best chance for tornadoes exists due to enhanced SRH in this region. The northern end of the QLCS will also approach from the southwest, accompanied by a severe wind/hail risk, though a line-embedded tornado cannot be ruled out with these storms as well. ..Squitieri.. 05/18/2026 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product... ATTN...WFO...ARX...MPX...DMX...FSD... LAT...LON 43799495 44279463 44349366 44149260 43779233 43259218 42889252 42719319 42709405 42819463 43049504 43799495 MOST PROBABLE PEAK TORNADO INTENSITY...100-125 MPH MOST PROBABLE PEAK WIND GUST...65-80 MPH MOST PROBABLE PEAK HAIL SIZE...1.00-1.75 IN Read more

MD 0764 CONCERNING TORNADO WATCH 213...216... FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHWESTERN INTO NORTH-CENTRAL IOWA
Mesoscale Discussion 0764 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0818 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026 Areas affected...portions of northwestern into north-central Iowa Concerning...Tornado Watch 213...216... Valid 180118Z - 180145Z The severe weather threat for Tornado Watch 213, 216 continues. SUMMARY...A focused swath of severe winds, with gusts in the 60-75 mph range, along with QLCS tornadoes, are likely with a bowing segment embedded within a broader elongated MCS. A couple gusts in the 75-90 mph range are possible. DISCUSSION...An embedded bowing segment has developed within an elongated persistent QLCS, and has been accompanied by severe gusts in the 65-70 mph range, along with a couple of brief QLCS tornadoes. At 752 PM CDT, a 77 mph wind gust was measured in Woodbury County, IA. This segment is traversing a strongly sheared/buoyant environment and is approaching the warm front. As such, a focused corridor of 60-75 mph gusts will continue for at least the next 2-3 hours. An additional gust or two in the 75-90 mph range remains possible. Additional QLCS tornadoes may still occur. ..Squitieri.. 05/18/2026 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product... ATTN...WFO...DMX...FSD... LAT...LON 42569642 42979577 43299516 43419453 43329407 43069384 42779392 42439450 42359558 42389609 42569642 MOST PROBABLE PEAK TORNADO INTENSITY...85-110 MPH MOST PROBABLE PEAK WIND GUST...75-90 MPH MOST PROBABLE PEAK HAIL SIZE...UP TO 1.25 IN Read more

SPC 0100Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0807 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026 Valid 180100Z - 181200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE CENTRAL PLAINS/MIDDLE MISSOURI VALLEY... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms will continue tonight especially across Kansas into far eastern Nebraska and Iowa, northwest Missouri and southern Minnesota. This includes an increasing evening-time potential for damaging winds aside from continued tornado and large hail risks regionally. ...Central/southern Plains to Upper Midwest... General regional trends will be for ongoing storms to continue to grow upscale with increasing damaging wind potential this evening. However, tornado potential (including a few strong) will continue with embedded/semi-discrete supercells this evening, including near the southern Minnesota warm frontal vicinity, and farther south-southwest across far eastern Nebraska/western Iowa and northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri, and perhaps with southern peripheral development near the dryline across southern Kansas. Scenario is supported by a moist/unstable air mass, along with dramatically strengthening south-southwesterly winds in the lowest 2-3 km AGL, a trend already noted in regional WSR-88D VWP data as supplemental to 00z observed soundings from Omaha/Topeka/Norman and Springfield, Missouri. ..Guyer.. 05/18/2026 Read more

SPC 0100Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0807 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026 Valid 180100Z - 181200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE CENTRAL PLAINS/MIDDLE MISSOURI VALLEY... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms will continue tonight especially across Kansas into far eastern Nebraska and Iowa, northwest Missouri and southern Minnesota. This includes an increasing evening-time potential for damaging winds aside from continued tornado and large hail risks regionally. ...Central/southern Plains to Upper Midwest... General regional trends will be for ongoing storms to continue to grow upscale with increasing damaging wind potential this evening. However, tornado potential (including a few strong) will continue with embedded/semi-discrete supercells this evening, including near the southern Minnesota warm frontal vicinity, and farther south-southwest across far eastern Nebraska/western Iowa and northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri, and perhaps with southern peripheral development near the dryline across southern Kansas. Scenario is supported by a moist/unstable air mass, along with dramatically strengthening south-southwesterly winds in the lowest 2-3 km AGL, a trend already noted in regional WSR-88D VWP data as supplemental to 00z observed soundings from Omaha/Topeka/Norman and Springfield, Missouri. ..Guyer.. 05/18/2026 Read more

SPC 0100Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0807 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026 Valid 180100Z - 181200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE CENTRAL PLAINS/MIDDLE MISSOURI VALLEY... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms will continue tonight especially across Kansas into far eastern Nebraska and Iowa, northwest Missouri and southern Minnesota. This includes an increasing evening-time potential for damaging winds aside from continued tornado and large hail risks regionally. ...Central/southern Plains to Upper Midwest... General regional trends will be for ongoing storms to continue to grow upscale with increasing damaging wind potential this evening. However, tornado potential (including a few strong) will continue with embedded/semi-discrete supercells this evening, including near the southern Minnesota warm frontal vicinity, and farther south-southwest across far eastern Nebraska/western Iowa and northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri, and perhaps with southern peripheral development near the dryline across southern Kansas. Scenario is supported by a moist/unstable air mass, along with dramatically strengthening south-southwesterly winds in the lowest 2-3 km AGL, a trend already noted in regional WSR-88D VWP data as supplemental to 00z observed soundings from Omaha/Topeka/Norman and Springfield, Missouri. ..Guyer.. 05/18/2026 Read more

SPC 0100Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0807 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026 Valid 180100Z - 181200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE CENTRAL PLAINS/MIDDLE MISSOURI VALLEY... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms will continue tonight especially across Kansas into far eastern Nebraska and Iowa, northwest Missouri and southern Minnesota. This includes an increasing evening-time potential for damaging winds aside from continued tornado and large hail risks regionally. ...Central/southern Plains to Upper Midwest... General regional trends will be for ongoing storms to continue to grow upscale with increasing damaging wind potential this evening. However, tornado potential (including a few strong) will continue with embedded/semi-discrete supercells this evening, including near the southern Minnesota warm frontal vicinity, and farther south-southwest across far eastern Nebraska/western Iowa and northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri, and perhaps with southern peripheral development near the dryline across southern Kansas. Scenario is supported by a moist/unstable air mass, along with dramatically strengthening south-southwesterly winds in the lowest 2-3 km AGL, a trend already noted in regional WSR-88D VWP data as supplemental to 00z observed soundings from Omaha/Topeka/Norman and Springfield, Missouri. ..Guyer.. 05/18/2026 Read more

SPC 0100Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0807 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026 Valid 180100Z - 181200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE CENTRAL PLAINS/MIDDLE MISSOURI VALLEY... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms will continue tonight especially across Kansas into far eastern Nebraska and Iowa, northwest Missouri and southern Minnesota. This includes an increasing evening-time potential for damaging winds aside from continued tornado and large hail risks regionally. ...Central/southern Plains to Upper Midwest... General regional trends will be for ongoing storms to continue to grow upscale with increasing damaging wind potential this evening. However, tornado potential (including a few strong) will continue with embedded/semi-discrete supercells this evening, including near the southern Minnesota warm frontal vicinity, and farther south-southwest across far eastern Nebraska/western Iowa and northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri, and perhaps with southern peripheral development near the dryline across southern Kansas. Scenario is supported by a moist/unstable air mass, along with dramatically strengthening south-southwesterly winds in the lowest 2-3 km AGL, a trend already noted in regional WSR-88D VWP data as supplemental to 00z observed soundings from Omaha/Topeka/Norman and Springfield, Missouri. ..Guyer.. 05/18/2026 Read more

WW 0214 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 214 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 20 NNE RSL TO 25 WSW CNK TO 5 WNW CNK TO 45 E HSI TO 10 NE LNK TO 20 W TQE TO 15 SSE SUX. ..JEWELL..05/18/26 ATTN...WFO...OAX...TOP...GID...ICT... STATUS REPORT FOR WT 214 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IAC071-085-129-137-145-155-165-180240- IA . IOWA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE FREMONT HARRISON MILLS MONTGOMERY PAGE POTTAWATTAMIE SHELBY KSC009-027-029-041-053-061-105-117-123-131-143-149-157-159-161- 167-169-201-180240- KS . KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE BARTON CLAY CLOUD DICKINSON ELLSWORTH GEARY LINCOLN MARSHALL MITCHELL NEMAHA OTTAWA POTTAWATOMIE REPUBLIC RICE RILEY RUSSELL SALINE WASHINGTON Read more

WW 0218 Status Updates
STATUS FOR WATCH 0218 HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED YET Read more

WW 0213 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 213 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 30 WSW TQE TO 15 SSW SUX TO 30 N SUX TO 40 SSW OTG TO 15 SSE OTG TO 25 ENE OTG TO 15 E RWF. ..JEWELL..05/18/26 ATTN...WFO...FSD...OAX...LBF... STATUS REPORT FOR WT 213 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IAC021-035-041-059-093-133-141-143-149-167-193-180240- IA . IOWA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE BUENA VISTA CHEROKEE CLAY DICKINSON IDA MONONA O'BRIEN OSCEOLA PLYMOUTH SIOUX WOODBURY MNC033-063-180240- MN . MINNESOTA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE COTTONWOOD JACKSON NEC021-173-180240- NE . NEBRASKA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE Read more

WW 0213 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 213 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 30 WSW TQE TO 15 SSW SUX TO 30 N SUX TO 40 SSW OTG TO 15 SSE OTG TO 25 ENE OTG TO 15 E RWF. ..JEWELL..05/18/26 ATTN...WFO...FSD...OAX...LBF... STATUS REPORT FOR WT 213 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IAC021-035-041-059-093-133-141-143-149-167-193-180240- IA . IOWA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE BUENA VISTA CHEROKEE CLAY DICKINSON IDA MONONA O'BRIEN OSCEOLA PLYMOUTH SIOUX WOODBURY MNC033-063-180240- MN . MINNESOTA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE COTTONWOOD JACKSON NEC021-173-180240- NE . NEBRASKA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE Read more