KANSAS AND SURROUNDING REGION — The Weather Channel TORCON index has been updated to its highest level of 5 for portions of Kansas including Metro Wichita as of 5:00 AM April 23, 2026, indicating a significant tornado threat developing later today.
The TORCON remains at 4 across the broader Kansas and Nebraska corridor including Kansas City and Lincoln, drops to 3 across Oklahoma City and surrounding areas, and sits at 2 across the Minneapolis zone. Tornadoes are expected to form by late afternoon and early evening, with large hail 2 inches in diameter or larger also anticipated across the risk corridor. Storms are then expected to weaken overnight with high winds and heavy rain becoming the main threats.
TORCON 5 Centered on Metro Wichita — Highest Risk Zone Today
The TORCON 5 designation for Metro Wichita represents the highest tornado probability on today’s map and signals a serious and credible tornado threat for the Wichita area and surrounding Kansas communities during the late afternoon and early evening hours. A TORCON of 5 out of 10 indicates a 50% probability of a tornado within 50 miles of any location within the highlighted zone.
The core red zone on the TORCON map is concentrated tightly around the Wichita area, with the deep red coloring indicating where atmospheric conditions are most favorable for tornado development and where the greatest risk of impactful tornado activity exists today.
TORCON 4 Covers Kansas City and Lincoln Corridor
Surrounding the highest risk Wichita zone, a TORCON 4 covers a broader area extending northward through Kansas City and Lincoln. This still represents a significant tornado probability and means residents across Kansas City, Salina, and the Nebraska border region should treat today’s threat seriously and have shelter plans ready well before the late afternoon storm window opens…