All area counties are now in a tornado watch after announcements Wednesday afternoon by the Storm Prediction Center.
Lyon, Coffey, Greenwood, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties are in a watch until 10 pm. Hail up tp 1.5 inches in diameter and gusts up to 80 mph are other concerns.
Chase County continues in a watch until 9 pm. Other concerns are hail up to 2.5 inches in diameter and 75 mph winds.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
2:20 pm Wednesday: Chase County tornado watch announced
The first severe weather-related advisory has been issued for the KVOE listening area Wednesday.
The National Weather Service has placed Chase County in a tornado watch until 9 pm. As KVOE has reported over the last 24 hours, the entire listening area and much of eastern Kansas is covered by an enhanced risk area for storm activity Wednesday evening with all hazards, including scattered tornadoes, possible.
The main concerns will be wind gusts possibly as high as 70 mph and hail to the size of ping pong balls. So far the severe weather threat has led to just a few schedule adjustments Wednesday.
You can find the latest adjustments on the KVOE closings and cancelations page by clicking here.
Be sure to stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates and potential adjustments throughout the day. If you have rain totals, storm reports or storm photos related to any activity Wednesday, message that information to the Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line at 620-342-5863.
10:50 am Wednesday: High winds lead all-hazard severe weather risk Wednesday
This may not seem like the right time of year, but severe weather is possible by late Wednesday afternoon across the KVOE listening area.
The Storm Prediction Center has posted an enhanced risk, or Level 3 on its 5-point scale, for all area counties and almost the entire eastern half of Kansas for potential severe storm activity. TV-13 meteorologist Doug Meyers says there could be isolated strong to severe storms developing ahead of a line of severe storms later Wednesday.
Wind gusts up to 70 mph and hail to the size of ping pong balls, or 1.5 inches in diameter, are the lead hazards, but scattered tornadoes — including a few strong tornadoes — are also possible. Heavy rainfall is also possible, with an expected range of 0.50 to 1.5 inches, depending on storm coverage.
Lyon County Emergency Management Director Jarrod Fell says it’s time to review your severe weather plan if you haven’t already done so.
Be sure to stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates and potential adjustments through the day. If you have rain totals, storm reports or storm photos related to any activity Wednesday, message that information to the Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line at 620-342-5863.
5:30 am Wednesday:
Halloween is on the calendar Thursday, but Wednesday’s weather forecast is looking much more like spring than fall when it comes to severe weather.
The Storm Prediction Center has posted an enhanced risk, or Level 3 on its 5-point scale, for all area counties and almost the entire eastern half of Kansas for potential severe storm activity. TV-13 meteorologist Doug Meyers says all hazards are in play, especially for late afternoon through mid-evening but also if more isolated storms develop by late morning. Meyers also tells KVOE News rain — heavy at times — is highly likely and some severe weather is also likely with the storms that develop.
Wind gusts up to 70 mph and hail to the size of half dollars are the lead hazards, but scattered tornadoes — including a few strong tornadoes — are also possible. Heavy rainfall is also possible, with an expected range of 0.50 to 1.5 inches, depending on storm coverage.
This follows two extremely windy days across the area, with wind gusts approaching 50 mph Monday and approaching 60 mph Tuesday.
KVOE’s Storm Team volunteer spotter network has been alerted.
