Pulsing thunderstorms caused a handful of severe thunderstorm warnings for KVOE listeners Tuesday night.
A line of storms strengthened, waned and strengthened again as it gradually moved across the area starting shortly before 8 pm. There were no reports of confirmed severe weather, although there was dime-sized hail near Allen, Lake Kahola and Saffordville.
Rain totals varied widely:
*KVOE studios: 0.10 inches
*Emporia Municipal Airport: 0.57 inches
*3 miles east of Emporia Municipal Airport: 0.88 inches
*700 block South Weaver: 0.55 inches
*1100 block Constitution: 0.20 inches
*10th and Weaver: 0.25 inches
*Deerbrook Addition: 0.20 inches
*Allen: 0.4 inches
*Americus: 0.70 inches
*Between Hartford and Olpe: 0.02 inches
*2 miles southwest of Olpe: 0.50 inches
Before the severe weather threat, high winds led to one reported grass fire and several power outages for area residents.
The grass fire was reported early Tuesday afternoon at 211 East South in Admire. The fire only covered one acre, but it got into two hay bales and threatened several others. Several nearby structures were also threatened but never caught fire. Allen-Admire and Reading fire crews worked that incident.
By and large, the power outages affecting rural parts of the area — notably Olpe, Virgil and Waverly — were isolated and small-scale. A downed line near Sixth and Prairie briefly knocked out power to nearly 90 Evergy customers late Tuesday afternoon.
Wind gusts were between 35-50 mph for most of Tuesday, and gusts could be as high as 30 mph with sharply cooler conditions for much of Wednesday. There is now a freeze warning for Chase County from 2-9 am Thursday as overnight lows could dip under 30 degrees for central Kansas.
If you have storm reports or photos, message the Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line at 620-342-5863.
7 pm-midnight Tuesday: Severe storm warnings and watches up for portions of listening area
Severe storm activity has made its way to the KVOE listening area.
Active warnings and watches:
*SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING: Southeast Greenwood County until 12:15 am Wednesday
*SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH: Coffey, Osage counties until 2 am Wednesday
*SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH: Chase, Greenwood counties until 3 am Wednesday
*RED FLAG WARNING: All area counties until 11 pm
*WIND ADVISORY: All area counties until 1 am Wednesday
Heavy rainfall and pea-sized hail have been reported along the Lyon and Morris County line just three miles west of Bushong. Dime-sized hail has also been reported at Allen, Saffordville and Lake Kahola.
If you have rain, hail or other weather-related reports please contact KVOE by calling 620-342-5863, email KVOE@KVOE.com or message the Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line. Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more weather updates as they become available.
6:45 pm Tuesday:
Severe storm activity may be nearing the KVOE listening area soon.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch affecting Lyon, Coffey, Osage and Wabaunsee counties until midnight. The main concerns are for damaging winds and hail, however, an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.
The potential for severe storms comes on top of high fire danger that has been in place across the area throughout the day Tuesday. Red Flag Warnings remain in place across the area until 11 pm with wind advisories effecting all area counties until 1 am Wednesday.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more weather updates as they become available.
