A large surface high pressure system covering the Plains and the Midwest is centered along the Minnesota-Iowa state line resulting in a southerly to southeasterly flow across the Central Plains. This will start to warm temperatures across our region today. A wave of energy and a warm front as approaching from the Rocky Mountain region.
This will increase moisture across the Central Plains for Sunday with clouds increasing in western areas early today then spreading through central Kansas during the midday and afternoon. A few showers and thunderstorms will develop over eastern Colorado later this morning then cross the state line into western Kansas this afternoon.
The atmosphere is just unstable enough for a couple of the storms to contain some damaging winds and hail late this afternoon and especially this evening.
A marginal risk for severe weather is posted for southwest Nebraska, western Kansas and the Oklahoma Panhandle into tonight.
In the meantime, this Sunday will turn warmer with increasing south to southeast breezes and high temperatures ranging from the upper 70s to lower 80s, still below average for early September.
Showers and thunderstorms will continue eastward Sunday night into Central Kansas, some of which could be strong with heavy downpours and strong wind gusts.
Low temperatures this Sunday night will range from the upper 50s to lower 60s in most areas.
Monday will start stormy in central Kansas with showers and storms, especially in the morning before becoming spottier during the afternoon. A marginal risk covers the possibility for some hail and gusty winds with some of Monday’s activity.
At the same time western areas will see a drying trend Monday with the return of sunshine by the afternoon.
As a result, high temperatures Monday will range from the middle to upper 70s in central Kansas under the clouds and precipitation to the middle and upper 80s in the west thanks to the afternoon sunshine.
For those heading to the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson, today and Tuesday look great, but an umbrella would be prudent for Monday.
Rain chances will be sparse and temperatures will rise back to near normal by the middle of the week, finally ending this extended reprieve from the usual late summer warmth. The average high temperature in Wichita is now at 86 degrees.
A few more showers and storms will be possible in western Kansas by Thursday.
KSN Storm Track 3 Forecast from Meteorologist Jack Boston: Wichita:Today: Partly to mostly cloudy. Hi: 78 Wind: SE 8-18Tonight: Mostly cloudy. 30% chance of showers and storms. Lo: 60 Wind: SE 5-15Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy, breezy. 50% chance of showers and storms. Hi: 76 Wind: SE/S 10-20Tomorrow Night: Mostly to partly cloudy. 20% chance of showers and storms. Lo: 60 Wind: S/SE 8-18Wichita WeeklyTue: Hi: 80 Lo: 62 Partly cloudy to mostly sunny, breezy. 10% chance of showers and storms.Wed: Hi: 83 Lo: 65 Partly cloudy.Thu: Hi: 85 Lo: 65 Partly cloudy, breezy.Fri: Hi: 87 Lo: 67 Partly cloudy, windy.Sat: Hi: 85 Lo: 66 Partly cloudy, breezy.Sun: Hi: 83 Lo: 64 Partly to mostly cloudy. 10% chance of showers and storms.
Meteorologist Jack Boston…