Weather Alert - severe weather chances increasing soon

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Storm Team 12 has issued Weather Alert Days for Thursday and Saturday as the threat of severe storms returns to the area. Hail, high winds, and a few tornadoes are possible both days.

Expect morning storms on Thursday, most of which will not be severe. Heavy rainfall, small hail, and gusty winds are expected over central and eastern Kansas to start the day, but that should come to an end by early afternoon. Highs will be in the 60s and 70s for much of the state, but southwest Kansas could easily soar into the 80s. Severe chances begin after 4pm in western Kansas. Those storms will move east as the evening continues, with potential of hail, high winds, and a few tornadoes.

Friday will calm down a bit (with respect to severe storms), but winds will be gusty from the southwest and sunshine is likely for the region. Highs will be near 80.

We are watching Saturday as humidity ramps up again and storms threaten central and southern Kansas by late afternoon and evening. Threats of hail, wind, and tornadoes will be back for the area, so please monitor conditions during that timeframe. Highs will be near 80, expect in northwest Kansas where it will be cooler (highs in the 60s).

Next week will start off rather quiet, but more scattered storm possibilities will be shaping up by midweek. Highs will be near or above 80 for several days.

Wichita Area Forecast:

Tonight: Mostly cloudy; isolated storms late. Wind: SE 5-15. Low: 56.

Tomorrow: AM storms, then cloudy and breezy. Wind: SE 15-25; gusty. High: 70.

Tomorrow night: Scattered storms likely. Wind: SE 15-25; gusty. Low: 63.

Fri: High: 82 Decreasing clouds. Windy.

Sat: High: 82 Low: 59 Partly cloudy; scattered PM storms. Windy.

Sun: High: 77 Low: 60 Mostly sunny to partly cloudy.

Mon: High: 74 Low: 45 Becoming partly cloudy.

Tue: High: 80 Low: 55 Mostly sunny and breezy.

Wed: High: 81 Low: 62 Becoming partly cloudy; scattered overnight storms.