Officials with the Kansas Division of Emergency Management are urging Kansans to be alert and be prepared with the possible severe weather this weekend.
Below is a press release from the Kansas Adjutant General’s Office:
“There is a potential this weekend for some severe thunderstorms accompanied by large hail, damaging winds and even tornadoes,” said Angee Morgan, deputy director of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management. “The best thing to do is stay informed on changing weather conditions by listening to your weather radio or local radio and television stations. Review your home emergency plan and check your emergency supplies. If the sirens sound in your area, head to your storm shelter and listen to weather broadcasts.”
The forecast from the National Weather Service Office in Topeka calls for storms over the next two days, with severe thunderstorms across central and eastern Kansas. The first storm anticipated will start Saturday morning between 3-9 a.m. for central Kansas. The main threat will be hail up to baseball-size with the elevated thunderstorms. There is still uncertainty with the potential for storms on Saturday evening. Impending thunderstorms from 5-7 p.m. for central Kansas with the main threat being large baseball size hail and strong 70+ mph gusting winds. A slim tornado risk will occur between 7-9 p.m. for the central portions of the area.
Another round of thunderstorms is expected to begin Sunday morning for the eastern half of the state with the main threat being large hail. These storms are expected around 6-8 a.m. A second system of thunderstorms will begin as early at 10 a.m. for the eastern half, with 70+ mph winds and baseball-size hail. This storm system could last until 8 p.m. Sunday. Any isolated storms will be strong and could have the potential for tornadoes. These will not be a classic line like with supercells. The system will move north/northeast at 40-50 mph and should disperse by 9 p.m. Sunday.
For the rest of the state, the National Weather Service in Wichita reports storms are expected to develop Saturday morning if conditions are conducive to severe weather in an Oklahoma City to Winfield to Goodland line. These storms are expected to move into Northeast Kansas by Sunday evening.
Storms during the day on Saturday have the potential to produce baseball-size hail, with winds up to 70 mph, and will contain a minimal risk of tornadoes. The risk for tornadoes will increase with storms on Saturday from 9-11 p.m. Overnight Saturday and into Sunday, storms are expect east of Interstate 135 +/- 50 miles. The storms are expected to move eastward with less severe storms after 2 p.m. Storms are expected to strengthen along and east of the Flint Hills and may contain golf ball-sized hail, wind, and a minimal threat of tornadoes. Storms are expected to move out of the state between 6-7 p.m.
