UPDATED 8:50 p.m. Saturday: The National Weather Service has issues a severe thunderstorm warning for northeastern McPherson, northern Marion, and Saline counties until 9:45 p.m. At 8:42 p.m. CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Smolan to near Assaria to 9 miles north of Canton to near McPherson, moving east at 30 mph. Wind gusts of 70 mph and nickel size hail.
Flood warnings issued for our area
UPDATED 7:50 p.m. Saturday: The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for southeastern Ellsworth, McPherson, and Saline counties until 8:45 p.m. Saturday. At 7:44 p.m. CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 6 miles southeast of Kanopolis to near Windom to 5 miles northeast of Nickerson, moving northeast at 25 mph. NWS says to expect 70 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail from this storm.
Additionally, Ellsworth, McPherson, and Saline counties are in a severe thunderstorm watch until 10 p.m.
Storms are expected to move into the area from western Oklahoma and western Kansas early this evening and are expected to become more widespread as sunset approaches.
According to the National Weather Service, there will be an elevated risk for higher end severe storms southwest of a Hutchinson to Winfield line where hail up to 2 inches in diameter and a tornado or two will be possible early this evening.
Storms tonight will also be capable of locally heavy rainfall and minor lowland flooding.
A more significant risk for widespread heavy rainfall, including flash flooding, is expected on Monday afternoon and especially Monday night into Tuesday morning. Severe storms will also be possible later on Monday, especially across southern Kansas.
Periodic chances for thunderstorms will continue from Wednesday afternoon through Friday. Strong to severe storms will be possible and some residual flooding from previous heavy rainfall is also quite possible.