Widespread severe winds and some wind damage occurred over much of north central Kansas on this Thursday afternoon. A couple small areas of thunderstorm activity were ongoing over the Nebraska panhandle during the morning. Between 10 a.m. and noon CST, a short squall-line (roughly 2 counties wide) developed and was moving through northeast Colorado and southwest Nebraska. It continued southeastward and entered north central Kansas a little after 3 p.m. CST. In the preceding 30 minutes, it had taken on a bow shape. This bow echo raked north central Kansas between 3 and 5:30 p.m. CST. The apex of the bow tracked across southern Phillips County, along the Smith-Osborne County line into northern Mitchell County. This is where the most intense winds and damage occurred. Winds were measured between 50 and 62 mph along its entire path, with a peak gusts of 68 mph in Beloit and 71 mph at Smith Center. Blown down trees and snapped off branches were reported in a few spots, and a roof was blown off part of a business in Phillipsburg.
The initial storms developed in upslope flow behind a weak cold front that had passed through the area the previous evening. By the time the storms were affecting north central Kansas, the front was along the Kansas-Oklahoma border, and weak high moved into Nebraska. In the upper levels, a broad trough extended across the north central and northeast U.S., while a low amplitude subtropical high was over the West. A weak shortwave trough was over Montana and Wyoming at 6 a.m. CST. By early evening, it had migrated into Minnesota, northwest Iowa, and Nebraska. The pre-convective environment was characterized by temperatures in the 80s, with dewpoints in the upper 60s. Mid-level lapse rates were poor, resulting in modest MLCAPE of only 900 to 1400 J/kg, and MUCAPE was not much higher. Effectively deep layer shear was around 35 kts.

Thunderstorm Wind in OSBORNE, KANSAS
From 28-JUL-16 16:11:00 to 28-JUL-16 16:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALTON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 60 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in PHILLIPS, KANSAS
From 28-JUL-16 15:15:00 to 28-JUL-16 15:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRAIRIE VIEW
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 70 MPH. Near Prairie View, an under-construction grain bin was blown over. In Phillipsburg, several trees up to 12 inches in diameter were downed, causing power outages. A local business lost a portion of its roof.

Thunderstorm Wind in MITCHELL, KANSAS
From 28-JUL-16 16:43:00 to 28-JUL-16 16:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BELOIT
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A peak wind gust of 68 MPH was measured by a mesonet site in Beloit. Tree damage was reported in town, with limbs up to 6 inches in diameter downed.

Thunderstorm Wind in PHILLIPS, KANSAS
From 28-JUL-16 15:20:00 to 28-JUL-16 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: LOGAN
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A mesonet site located 3 miles west-southwest of Speed measured a peak gust of 70 MPH. Another mesonet site located in Logan measured a peak gust of 62 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in SMITH, KANSAS
From 28-JUL-16 16:47:00 to 28-JUL-16 16:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: SMITH CENTER ARPT
Magnitude: 66.00 MG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

This peak gust was measured on the backside of the storm. Tree damage was reported in Smith Center.

Thunderstorm Wind in SMITH, KANSAS
From 28-JUL-16 15:55:00 to 28-JUL-16 16:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: KENSINGTON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Wind gust estimates of 60 to 70 MPH were reported, with the AWOS at the Smith Center Airport measuring a peak gust of 71 MPH. Tree damage was reported in Athol.

Thunderstorm Wind in SMITH, KANSAS
From 28-JUL-16 16:54:00 to 28-JUL-16 16:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: SMITH CENTER ARPT
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

This gust was measured on the backside of the storm.