Severe threat today

Thanks for spending a few minutes checking in on the severe threat expected in southern Kansas this afternoon (Wednesday). It will probably be our busiest day with respect to severe weather that we've had this season. But we have had a few days already this spring with some watches and warnings.

The cold front (as of 8 a.m.) is already through western Kansas. Those areas will be safe from severe storms today (cooler and drier air taking over).

I'm expecting the cold front to stretch from Manhattan to Newton on back to Medicine Lodge around noon today. At least in south central Kansas, the front is expected to slow down and nearly stall for several hours. That's where storms should start in Kansas (which should happen between 5 and 7 pm)

Initially, storms are going to be capable of large hail (maybe up to golf ball size in spots). But as more and more storms flare up and the line of storms begins to fill in, we should be switching to heavy rains and maybe some wind gusts to 60 mph.

The tornado threat isn't zero today, but within a few hours of storms developing, the risk of tornadoes should drop considerably. 

Rainfall Amounts:

Still looks as if many areas of south central and eastern Kansas could be on track to pick up about an inch of rain (or more in a few spots). The heaviest rain will exit the area around (or shortly after) midnight, but showers will linger until almost daybreak Thursday.