May 31st squall lines

During the evening and overnight hours of Thursday, May 31st, two separate squall lines moved across central, south-central and southeast Kansas, producing widespread wind damage, along with large hail and flooding rains. The culprit was a strong cold front approaching from the northwest, associated with a potent upper level disturbance moving southeast out of the central rockies.

The first round of thunderstorms moved into central Kansas around 8 pm producing large hail and damaging winds. The thunderstorm cluster evolved rapidly into a bow echo as it turned southeastward, producing more large hail and damaging winds. Of particular note is the estimated 90 to 100 mph downburst winds that struck the community of Moundridge around 1030-1045 PM CDT which produced extensive property and tree damage across the town.

658 PM CDT Radar Image.

1036 PM CDT Radar Image. At this point Moundridge (southeast McPherson County) was getting hit with 90-100 mph winds.

Here are some images of the straight line wind damage near Moundridge

Damage to shingles near Moundridge.

Siding of the house pelted by glass from a nearby building that lost some windows.

More Damage near Moundridge.

\Damage to an outbuilding caused by an estimated 90 to 100 mph straight line winds.

More damage near Moundridge, indicative of 90 to 100 mph straight line winds.

The squall line weakened some as it continued progressing southeast toward Wichita, producing sporadic wind damage and large hail reports. However, a second squall line gained steam as it moved into south-central Kansas around 1 AM CDT. This second squall line produced wind damage across south-central and southeast Kansas.

132 PM CDT Radar Image.	1256 AM CDT Radar Image.
202 AM CDT Radar Image.	313 AM CDT Radar Image.

Here are some damage pictures from near Geuda Springs

Metal roof removed by straight line winds near Geuda Springs	Metal Outbuilding destroyed by 75 to 80 mph winds near Geuda Springs.
Trees layed over by straight line winds of 75 to 80 mph.	Metal Outbuilding destroyed by 75 to 80 mph winds near Geuda Springs.

The thunderstorms also produced very heavy rainfall amounts throughout the evening and overnight hours, which lead to more flooding of small streams and creeks, as well as rural and some county roads.

Radar Estimated Storm Total Precipitation.