Wichita, Kan. – Strong storms are expected to roll across southeast Kansas through Tuesday evening, bringing threats of large hail, damaging winds up to 70 mph, and dangerous lightning to 16 counties under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, the watch is in effect until 9 p.m. CDT and includes Allen, Bourbon, Butler, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Cowley, Crawford, Elk, Greenwood, Harper, Labette, Montgomery, Neosho, Sumner, Wilson, and Woodson counties. Residents in these areas are urged to secure loose outdoor items and stay indoors as storms develop rapidly.
Cities like Pittsburg, Winfield, Independence, and El Dorado are likely to see storm cells intensify by late afternoon. Power outages, downed trees, and hazardous driving conditions are possible—especially along U.S. Route 400, U.S. 75, and regional rural highways.
Emergency officials recommend charging devices, monitoring NOAA Weather Radio, and avoiding unnecessary travel through the evening hours. This is the first major thunderstorm event in June for the region, with unstable air and moisture creating conditions ripe for sudden storm development.
Storm activity may taper after sunset, but additional advisories or warnings could follow if new cells form overnight.
