Where did the severe weather go this year?

Tornado watch summary for 2014

This has been a relatively quiet severe weather season in Kansas. We've had a few tornadoes, including the EF-2 tornado that hit Baxter Springs. But just look at the tornado watch summary from Storm Prediction Center out of Oklahoma. There are some parts of the state that haven't been in a single tornado watch this year. In fact, North Carolina has had more tornado watches this season than Kansas. That's very unusual, but we're not complaining. The closest "hot spots" for tornadoes this year ended up being eastern Nebraska and Iowa. Thinking back on the last couple of seasons and most of the active weather has been east of Kansas. Some of that is largely due to the ongoing drought we've had in our area.

Best chance for statewide rain is Wednesday.

The temperatures will be staying below normal for the upcoming week. It's such a nice treat isn't it? I know some of you reading the blog this morning love hot weather and we still have a solid month coming up where we know it can get hot (highs in the 90s and 100s) The long range computer models through August 10th do not develop the huge, high pressure dome over Kansas or the central Plains. We may actually get through the next month with few or perhaps no 100 degree days. What would you say about that? Most of the state averages close to a dozen days where the high temperatures hit triple digits, but I think we will come in under that number when the summer is over. Now let's just hope the rains keep coming in a timely manner because we will want the moisture heading into fall.

Rainfall prediction from today - Thursday (July 31)

The best chances for moisture the next few days will be in southwest Kansas. Everyone else will have a chance on Wednesday, but it's going to be somewhat hit and miss. Have a great week and enjoy the cool down.