Wichita hit 85 this afternoon, a new record for high temperature in the city on March 5. The old record of 84 was set in 1991.
That also happens to be the year a massive tornado struck Haysville, Wichita and Andover. Coincidence? Almost certainly.
But it still caught my eye.
The Storm Prediction Center has placed the eastern half of Kansas – including the Wichita metropolitan area – under a slight risk for severe weather on Saturday.
That may not seem like a big deal, but weather researchers have already begun warning me to keep an eye on Saturday, and with unseasonably warm temperatures already in place strong thunderstorms are hardly out of the question.
It’s also possible that the SPC could upgrade the threat as Saturday approaches. Areas south of the state line appear to be in the bullseye for Sunday.
Stay tuned.
Spring fever figures to be rampant today as temperatures soar into the mid-80s under sunny skies today in the Wichita area.
The record high for today is 84, and local forecasters say that could well be matched – or even fall – by the end of the day. Gusty south winds will surge above 35 miles an hour, and ease up only slightly overnight.
Dodge City set a record for high temperature yesterday at 86, and still more records should be set around the state today. Stay tuned.