Daily Archives: Nov. 5, 2008

Severe weather threat increases to ‘moderate’

The Storm Prediction Center warns that the potential exists “for long-lived supercells, including possible strong tornadoes” in southern Kansas – including the Wichita area.

The storm threat for Wichita will be highest between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., National Weather Service meteorologist Robb Lawson said. The good news, he said, is that any stormy weather in the metro area will be early in the severe weather event. The bad news is, that’s when the tornado threat will be highest.

Any supercell thunderstorms will be isolated and scattered, he said. They’ll also be moving rapidly to the northeast. As nightfall nears, storms are expected to converge into a squall line that races east, pounding eastern and southeastern Kansas.

Pay close attention to warnings and conditions this afternoon.

‘Perhaps even a couple tornadoes’ in Wichita area today

These morning showers are a prelude to potentially stormy afternoon and evening in central and southcentral Kansas.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center warns that scattered thunderstorms are possible, and they’ll move rapidly northeast at about 40 miles an hour. The storms will be capable of producing hail the sizes of half dollars, damaging winds of as much as 70 miles an hour, and even tornadoes.

As the evening progresses, the primary threat will transition to straight-line winds from a squall line that will form and push through southeast Kansas.

Stay alert to conditions and forecasts.