July 27, 2026 Mingo Microburst

Overview

Around 7 PM CDT on July 27, 2026, a multi-cell thunderstorm moved over southeast Thomas County near the town of Mingo, Kansas. As the storm moved north-northeast, it began to collapse creating a wet microburst with estimated 90 mph winds. Damage included snapped pine tree trunks, four empty grain bins swept off their bases, and one mostly removed from the base and leaning against another bin.

Radar
Environmental

Radar

What made this event so tricky? As the storm approached the town of Mingo, Kansas, the storms were moving perpendicular to the radar beams, making it challenging for meteorologists to see a more reasonable estimate of the wind speeds occurring in the lowest levels of the storm. For example the outflow boundary with this storm was moving to the north-northeast (approximately a direction of 200 degrees), the radar angle is nearly due east which is almost perpindicular to the beam. The net result is only a small fraction of the actual wind speed is observed by radar (click here for schematic).


7:04 PM CDT KGLD Reflectivity (Left) and Velocity (Right) Red square is damage location	7:13 PM CDT KGLD Reflectivity (Left) and Velocity (Right) Red square is damage location	KGLD loop of 55 dBZ from the Mingo Microburst Red square is damage location	KGLD loop of KDP from the Mingo Microburst Red square is damage location

Environment

A very hot and unstable airmass was in place across the region, with a weak frontal zone draped along Interstate 70. This storm developed along this transition zone in an area with abundant energy for downdraft development (DCAPE) and high cloud bases creating a deep layer for precipitation to evaporate and cool the air which directly stregthens the downdraft and cold pool. This can be seen prior to the damage occuring as an outflow boundary races to the north undercutting the updraft with rain cooled air. While a direct observation at the location of damage was not available, the Oakley AWOS observed an over 20 degree drop in temperatures as an outflow boundary well removed from the storm passed through, The image below was created by the Plymouth State Weather Center and is highlighted around the time in question. Other environmental data is provided below from the Storm Prediction Center.

24 hour Meteogram for Oakley KS AWOS KOEL

Downdraft CAPE


6 PM CDT DCAPE Courtesy: SPC	7 PM CDT DCAPE Courtesy: SPC

Microburst Parameter


6 PM CDT Microburst Parameter Courtesy: SPC	7 PM CDT Microburst Parameter Courtesy: SPC

Lifted Condensation Level (LCL)


6 PM CDT LCL Heights Courtesy: SPC	7 PM CDT LCL Heights Courtesy: SPC

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