Isolated severe weather followed widespread heat and humidity Thursday.
Air temperatures climbed to 94, with peak heat index readings at 103 on Thursday afternoon. Storms then began moving across the area west of Emporia by 8 pm, with a confirmed report of 62 mph wind gusts near Elmdale and 58 mph winds near the Emporia Municipal Airport. Damage reports are pending.
High winds, whether storm-based or not, also caused several power outages for area residents. Emporia had over 70 Evergy customers offline, while an area from Cottonwood Falls and Strong City southwest past Elmdale had over 320 customers lose power. 4 Rivers Electric Cooperative says both its Americus and Thunderbird substations lost power from its transmission provider, taking power offline for over 300 customers in Lyon and Chase counties. A few outages remain in Chase County, but all others have been restored.
Part of the KVOE listening area has a marginal risk of severe weather for late Friday night into early Saturday morning. That area is along and west of a line from Cassoday to Neosho Rapids to Melvern. Wind gusts up to 60 mph are the main concern.
High temperatures go back into the 90s Friday and stay in the 90-95 degree range through Wednesday. The National Weather Service’s experimental HeatRisk index calls for moderate heat impacts for residents Saturday, major heat impacts on Father’s Day and a range of moderate to extreme impacts Monday.
5 pm Thursday: Severe thunderstorm watch issued for majority of listening area through late Thursday evening
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch encompassing most counties within the KVOE listening area through late Thursday evening.
The watch covers Lyon, Chase, Osage, Morris and Wabaunsee counties through 11 pm. The main hazards will be hail to the size of golf balls and wind gusts up to 70 mph. Virtually all of the KVOE listening area is now in a slight risk area for severe activity by early evening.
Meanwhile, areas south of a line from Wichita to Hamilton to Le Roy are in a marginal risk. Widespread flooding rain is unlikely, although there may be pockets of heavy rainfall. KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media will have updates as necessary through the evening.
7:30 am Thursday: WEATHER: Heat index readings from 100-110 precede slight severe weather risk Thursday
Hot, steamy conditions are here for the next week.
Air temperatures will be in the mid-90s Thursday with heat index readings anywhere from 100-110 across east central and northeast Kansas, according to the National Weather Service. With this being the first blast of heat this summer, Weather Service meteorologist Daniel Reese says people might suffer more from the heat than they would later in the summer.
Reese says the best way to beat the heat is to stay out of it. That may not be an option, so Reese advises people to wear light, loose-fitting clothing, take frequent breaks, drink lots of water and apply sunscreen regularly.
Residents are also reminded to never leave children or pets in vehicles if you’re running errands of any sort. Residents should also check on elderly family members and neighbors, especially if they don’t have air conditioning.
Heat advisories are up for Thursday. Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties are in one advisory from 1-8 pm, while Chase County is in an advisory from 1-7 pm.
The new HeatRisk index has a moderate to major impact for Thursday. Moderate means an impact for heat-sensitive residents, especially those “without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration.” Major means impacts for everybody, especially if people don’t have adequate cooling or hydration.
Meanwhile, Thursday night also has a severe weather risk for hail to the size of golf balls and wind gusts up to 70 mph. Virtually all of the KVOE listening area is now in a slight risk for severe activity by early evening, while areas south of a line from Wichita to Hamilton to Le Roy are in a marginal risk. Widespread flooding rain is unlikely, although there may be pockets of heavy rainfall.
Widespread heat and isolated severe storm chances continue Friday with highs around 90 and a marginal hail/wind risk along and west of a line from Cassoday to Neosho Rapids to Melvern by late evening.