Wichita, Kansas – Severe thunderstorms could erupt within hours Friday afternoon, bringing wind gusts up to 70 mph that may down power lines and disrupt travel across south-central Kansas through the evening.
According to the National Weather Service in Wichita, storms are expected to develop along a cold front after 3 p.m., with the strongest activity focused along and southeast of the Kansas Turnpike. Areas including Wichita, Hutchinson, Emporia, Winfield, and Coffeyville face the highest risk through 10 p.m.
Wind gusts between 60 and 70 mph could snap tree limbs and cause scattered outages, while hail up to 1 inch in diameter may damage vehicles. Heavy rainfall may also lead to localized flooding, especially on low-lying roads and poor drainage areas.
Drivers along I-35 (Kansas Turnpike) and U.S. Route 400 should prepare for sudden visibility drops and hazardous crosswinds during the evening commute. Residents are urged to secure outdoor items, monitor alerts, and be ready to move indoors quickly if warnings are issued.
Storms are expected to weaken later Friday night, but additional advisories could be issued if conditions intensify.
