Severe storms expected Wednesday in NE Kansas; high winds, tornadoes possible

Severe storms, which may include high winds and tornadoes, are expected Wednesday in north-central and northeast Kansas, forecasters say.

The National Weather Service has upgraded from “slight” to “enhanced” the possibility those areas will see severe storms, which forecasters say will be most likely between 4 and 10 p.m.

“Thunderstorms will develop along a cold front as it moves southeast across the area today,” the weather service said in a graphic posted on the website of its Topeka office. “The potential hazards with the storms include damaging winds, a few tornadoes and hail.”

Forecasters have high confidence that north-central and northeast Kansas will see thunderstorms, that website said.

Storms may start as early as 11 a.m. over north-central Kansas, with the severe weather threat there beginning about 1 p.m., it said.

“Damaging winds are the most likely hazard,” the website said. “But there may be enough ingredients for a strong tornado or two.”

The site added: “The risk for tornadoes is a low probability/high impact setup in that it’s not ideal, but there are enough ingredients to be on alert. Storms are most likely going to move together in a line and the tornado concern is for spin-ups with the line of storms.”

Forecasters predicted Wednesday’s threat would be medium to high for high winds, medium for tornadoes, low to medium for hail and low for flooding.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.