Storms to start October & finally, a cool down!

Welcome to October. Usually an exciting month in weather as the changes start to get a little more dramatic as we head deeper into autumn. And then there is Halloween. I love the holiday itself, but always scramble at the last minute to throw together a costume for a party I've been invited to.

Main severe threat will be over eastern Kansas during the evening hours

Alright, on to the severe weather chance today. Late this afternoon, the best chance for severe storms will be east of Wichita (and really east of I-135) Hail and wind are the main threats, but an isolated tornado is possible too with the way things are setting up. Timing of the severe storms east of Wichita is after 4 or 5 p.m. Once the storms develop, they will head east/northeast.

Then we have the cold front coming into the area later this evening. It's going to knock the temperatures down 20-30 degrees as we head through the remainder of the week. Behind the front, rain and a few storms are likely and that activity will move into western Kansas after dark. It's unlikely that severe storms will occur in those areas, but we do expect the wind to increase from the north and the temperatures will cool down quickly. More snow is expected over the mountains in Colorado with this system approaching from the west.

Aside from the wind, the weather will start to calm down Thursday afternoon as the system pushes east. Any lingering rain will have moved into Missouri by Thursday evening.

Friday and the upcoming weekend look dry with temperatures feeling more like fall over the area.

The rainfall deficit for Wichita continues to grow. We are definitely not in the right spot for rain. We are feeling what some of western Kansas has felt for several weeks and even months. We are closing in on 5 inches below normal for the year. Other areas (except Dodge City) continue to show rainfall deficits too. Take any rain you can get during the fall because winter doesn't usually offer up much moisture around here.

Huge rainfall deficit for Wichita / above normal for Dodge City

Other rainfall deficits for Salina and Goodland