Aug 07, 2023

NWS: Weekend storm brought 110mph winds to NW Kansas

Posted Aug 07, 2023 9:00 PM
Part of a trunk from a mature Hackberry tree broken off.Photo courtesy National Weather Service Goodland
Part of a trunk from a mature Hackberry tree broken off.Photo courtesy National Weather Service Goodland

NORTON COUNTY—A high end supercell thunderstorm moved over  the city of Almena in Norton County just before 8p.m. Saturday.

The storm produced wind gusts up to an estimated 110 miles per hour along with hail ranging from golf ball to tennis ball in size, according to a report from the National Weather Service in Goodland.

Tree trunk of mature ash tree snapped.-photo NWS Goodland
Tree trunk of mature ash tree snapped.-photo NWS Goodland

The wind caused damage to trees ranging from limbs being blown down to tree trunks being snapped.

The National Weather Service service said the thunderstorm began near Norton, where it quickly intensified east of town and moved northeast toward Almena, intensifying as it approached.

Track of Storm from NWS Survey
Track of Storm from NWS Survey

As the thunderstorm moved over Almena, it continued to intensify, reaching a peak intensity as it moved over the community. The worst of the wind occurred when the hail was the largest in size. As the storm moved east of Almena it began to weaken. The only damage that was visible northeast of town were two road block signs that had been bent to the northeast. There are no reports of injury.