Severe weather chances return & look who gets the major heat next

We are coasting into our final weekend of June and the first weekend of summer. And in typical Kansas fashion, it may not feel like the season around here thanks to some significant changes in the upper level winds. 

Severe weather threats setting up for Thursday night:

We are still going to be ahead of a front heading into the night and storms will be coming off the High Plains of Colorado and developing into western Kansas. The movement with storms will be east and I'm expecting areas north of I-70 to have a strong likelihood of getting some rain. I know harvest isn't over and there will be mixed opinions about the rain, but in summer and with the recent dry spell, we better take it when we can. The setup isn't that favorable for widespread large hail (that's the good news), but storms will have a tendency to produce strong wind gusts up to 60 or 70 mph and torrential rains. 

Severe weather potential Friday evening:

A cold front will still be cutting Kansas in half and because the humidity remains so high, we are looking at a favorable setup for more heavy rains and wind gusts that may exceed 60 mph in spots. If we end up with watches and warnings Friday evening, that's more than likely what the concern will be. This is also our best chance of rain on a statewide scale. Once we pass 10 or 11 pm Friday, biggest threats will be torrential rainfall, especially in southern Kansas and Oklahoma. 

Rainfall forecast: 

Latest model data shows Missouri getting big time rains and even parts of northeast Kansas. Much of the state has a chance at some 1" rainfall, but there will be some isolated pockets of maybe close to 2" before it's all over. Remember, this is a combination of several rounds of storms that should be winding down by Saturday afternoon for Kansas. I know June has been really dry, so please be patient. This is likely going to force some wheat farmers from the field for a couple of days. However, it will be nice for the milo and corn.

Weekend humidity drops!

What made the weather so enjoyable back at the beginning of the week was the drier air. Similar conditions return for the Plains Friday night and throughout much of the weekend. Dew point temperatures drop to the 50s, and in Kansas in late June, that's sometimes hard to come by. 

Major heat for the West:

 Next week will be a very tough week for those in the Pacific Northwest. A large, upper level high will setup in that area, leading to excessive heat and potential record highs. Just look at the extended forecast for Boise, ID. The all time record high is 111° - it could be tied soon.