### Severe Weather Expected in Northeast Kansas

Residents of northeast Kansas are bracing for potentially dangerous weather as severe storms, including high winds and tornadoes, are forecasted to hit the region later in the day. The National Weather Service in northeast Topeka reported that a storm had already dropped 0.57 inches of rain between 2 and 3 p.m. Wednesday near Philip Billard Municipal Airport.

However, meteorologist Sarah Teefey cautioned that the worst is yet to come. "We haven't seen the big show yet," she told The Capital-Journal around 3 p.m. on Wednesday. Teefey indicated that more severe weather events, including the possibility of high winds and tornadoes, are likely to occur later in the evening.

The weather service upgraded the area's chance of severe storms from "slight" to "enhanced," with the highest risk predicted between 4 and 10 p.m. According to a graphic posted on the National Weather Service's Topeka office website, thunderstorms are expected to develop along a cold front moving southeast. These storms could bring hazards such as damaging winds, a few tornadoes, and hail.

Meteorologists have high confidence that both north-central and northeast Kansas will experience thunderstorms, with some potentially severe. Storms could start as early as 11 a.m. in north-central Kansas, with the severe weather threat increasing around 1 p.m. The website stated, "Damaging winds are the most likely hazard," but also noted there could be conditions favorable for a strong tornado or two.

While the risk for tornadoes is considered a low probability/high impact setup, forecasters emphasized that the ingredients are sufficient to warrant alertness. Storms are expected to form a line, increasing the risk for tornado "spin-ups" along this line.

Predictions for Wednesday indicated a medium to high threat for high winds, a medium threat for tornadoes, a low to medium threat for hail, and a low threat for flooding. Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay alert and prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions.