Storms in western Kansas tonight, more weekend rain

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for portions of Kansas and Southwest Nebraska until 10 PM Friday.

Temperatures warmed a few degrees ahead of a potent storm system.  Early this evening, storms will enter Northwest Kansas and Southwest Nebraska.  

Damaging winds and large hail are possible with these storms.  In addition, storms will form in eastern Colorado and track into western Kansas.  These two clusters organize into a healthy storm complex.  

This dives south across western Kansas with damaging winds taking center stage into Friday night.  

Winds from 60-70 MPH will be likely along the leading edge of this complex, with sporadic gusts as high as 80 MPH.

With time overnight, weakening will occur farther south and east.  Scattered showers and storms should push into the Wichita Metro before dawn.  Leftovers linger through the morning farther east.

With the cold front nearby, new thunderstorms will form near and east of the Turnpike on Saturday evening.  A storm or two could be severe for hail and high winds into Southeast Kansas.

More isolated storms will trigger farther west.  

Temperatures will be reduced tomorrow primarily in the lower 80s with some in the upper 70s!

The effects of the cold front are still felt to end the weekend and start next week with temperatures below average.  

A low pressure system aligns to our east and keeps afternoon/evening chances for scattered showers and storms going Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.  On Tuesday, the system will begin to track away, allowing temps to gradually warm.

The chance for rain drops mid to late next week.  Highs will sizzle in the 90s by Thursday with the heat amping up the following weekend.

KSN Storm Track 3 Forecast from Chief Meteorologist Lisa Teachman:

Wichita:
Tonight: Partly to mostly cloudy. 20% chance of showers and storms. Lo: 67 Wind: SE 5-15
Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy. 30% chance of showers and storms. Hi: 83 Wind: SE 8-18
Tomorrow Night: Mostly cloudy. 40% chance of showers and storms. Lo: 66 Wind: SE/NW 5-15

Wichita Weekly
Sun: Hi: 82 Lo: 65 Mostly to partly cloudy, breezy. 30% chance of showers and storms.
Mon: Hi: 82 Lo: 66 Partly cloudy. 20% chance of showers and storms.
Tue: Hi: 86 Lo: 68 Partly cloudy. 10% chance of showers and storms.
Wed: Hi: 91 Lo: 70 Mostly sunny.
Thu: Hi: 92 Lo: 71 Mostly sunny, breezy.
Fri: Hi: 93 Lo: 73 Mostly sunny.

-Chief Meteorologist Lisa Teachman