Kansas continues facing severe storm season

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, Kansas has seen at least 63 tornados this year and there is plenty of severe storm season left for the number to increase.

Northeast Kansas has seen several tornados this 2024 severe storm season causing serious damage and even death.

Meteorologist Sarah Teefey with the National Weather Servicve of Topeka said a series of systems happen to be hitting Kansas at the right times.

“There are several factors that we look at to determine whether or not we’re expecting severe weather. Timing can be a big part of that, typically we have the most instability during the afternoon,” said Teefey. “The placement of storm systems as well can make a big difference — the closer we are to some of the stronger forcing or some of the better wind fields, then we have a better chance for severe weather.”

While the storms have brought rain, it hasn’t doused the drought affecting areas of the state.

“Sometimes we see a lot of rain all at once, and that can help a little bit, but if we dry out for a while we can flip back into a drought kind of pattern,” said Teefey. “We do still see at least a moderate drought happening across portions of the state. Outside of the Topeka area in Central KS they still have a severe drought for portions of of the state.”

Teefey said stay vigilant and prepared because this year is hitting hard.

“One big difference that we’ve noticed this year compared to other years is just how many systems we have coming through and how frequently we’re seeing that,” said Teefey. “Again with the timing, we have the good chance for severe weather especially when we get fronts in here in the afternoon, we get instability build, south winds to draw in moisture — it’s just been a very active pattern to give us more active weather this year.”

Stay informed on the latest severe weather updates in your area on air and online.

Copyright 2024 WIBW. All rights reserved.