A swath of damaging winds occurred across portions of north central Kansas early this Friday evening. Scattered thunderstorms developed over southwestern Nebraska during the afternoon hours. Between 4 and 5 p.m. CST, several storms combined into a very small bow echo configuration over Furnas County Nebraska. This storm entered northwestern Phillips County Kansas around 5 p.m. and subsequently raced east-southeast across north central Kansas, exiting Mitchell County by 730 p.m. CST. This cluster of storms was responsible for a swath of wind damage across Phillips, Smith and Mitchell counties. Multiple wind gusts were measured at 58 mph or above. The highest wind speed recorded was 73 mph at the Smith Center airport. Large tree limbs were also reported down in several locations. A separate isolated storm, tracking along the Nebraska-Kansas border, intensified over northeastern Jewell County. This storm also produced wind damage, overturning an irrigation pivot and scattering irrigation pipes.
These storms formed within a cold frontal zone. Aloft, a trough was over the Rockies with an embedded shortwave trough advancing through the Northern and Central Plains. A ridge was over the eastern United States. Temperatures in the upper 70s and dewpoints in the upper 50s combined with poor mid-level lapse rates to produce MLCAPE between 500 and 1000 J/kg. However, the dry sub-cloud layer did allow for storms to form along a common cold pool and accelerate. Deep layer shear was 35-40 knots.

Thunderstorm Wind in PHILLIPS, KANSAS
From 29-MAY-15 16:56:00 to 29-MAY-15 16:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: LONG IS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 60 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in PHILLIPS, KANSAS
From 29-MAY-15 17:03:00 to 29-MAY-15 17:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: LOGAN
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in MITCHELL, KANSAS
From 29-MAY-15 18:59:00 to 29-MAY-15 18:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: BELOIT
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Tree limbs between 6 and 8 inches in diameter were knocked down.

Thunderstorm Wind in MITCHELL, KANSAS
From 29-MAY-15 18:50:00 to 29-MAY-15 18:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: GLEN ELDER
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A tree limb up to 10 inches in diameter knocked down a HAM radio antenna.

Thunderstorm Wind in JEWELL, KANSAS
From 29-MAY-15 17:50:00 to 29-MAY-15 17:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEBBER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Irrigation pipes were moved and a irrigation pivot was tipped over.

Hail in SMITH, KANSAS
From 29-MAY-15 17:59:00 to 29-MAY-15 17:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: SMITH CENTER
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm Wind in SMITH, KANSAS
From 29-MAY-15 18:02:00 to 29-MAY-15 18:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: SMITH CENTER ARPT
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The end time of these strong winds is unknown, as the AWOS was inoperable following this gust. The cooperative observer in Smith Center reported that large tree limbs and power were downed.

Hail in SMITH, KANSAS
From 29-MAY-15 18:05:00 to 29-MAY-15 18:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: SMITH CENTER
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm Wind in SMITH, KANSAS
From 29-MAY-15 18:42:00 to 29-MAY-15 18:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEBANON
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Hail in JEWELL, KANSAS
From 29-MAY-15 17:50:00 to 29-MAY-15 17:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEBBER
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in PHILLIPS, KANSAS
From 29-MAY-15 17:19:00 to 29-MAY-15 17:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: PHILLIPSBURG
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

An outbuilding suffered roof damage approximately 9 miles north of Phillipsburg. This was on the east side of Highway 183 just south of Hunter Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in PHILLIPS, KANSAS
From 29-MAY-15 17:21:00 to 29-MAY-15 17:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: PHILLIPSBURG ARPT
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Thunderstorm Wind in OSBORNE, KANSAS
From 29-MAY-15 18:25:00 to 29-MAY-15 18:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: OSBORNE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 60 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in SMITH, KANSAS
From 29-MAY-15 17:58:00 to 29-MAY-15 18:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: GAYLORD
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Wind gusts were estimated to be between 60 and 70 MPH. Penny sized hail accompanied the wind.