MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Strong thunderstorms moved across central Kansas Wednesday night, producing large hail, damaging wind gusts, and prompting a tornado warning that included the city of Hutchinson.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning at 9:15 p.m. for north central Reno County, southeastern Rice County and southwestern McPherson County, which included Hutchinson, as a severe storm moved through the area. The warning was later downgraded to a severe thunderstorm warning as the storm tracked eastward, as the tornado threat diminished.
The storm generated several reports of large hail across the region. The largest reported hailstone measured 2.5 inches in diameter two miles north of Sterling at 9:20 p.m. Multiple reports of golf ball- to hen egg-sized hail were received in and around Buhler, including reports of 1.75-inch hail west and northwest of the town between 10:30 and 10:45 p.m. Hail measuring 1.25 inches was also reported in Buhler.
Additional hail reports included 1.5-inch hail five miles north of Halstead at 11:10 p.m.
Strong winds accompanied the storms as they moved through Reno County. A wind gust of 63 mph was recorded at Hutchinson Regional Airport at 10:39 p.m. Buhler reported a 70 mph thunderstorm wind gust at 10:35 p.m. Earlier in the evening, a 60 mph gust was reported four miles north of Nickerson.
No immediate reports of injuries or significant storm damage were available Wednesday night.