Severe Weather Alert from the National Weather Service

09/18/2002
A Severe Weather Alert was issued on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 at 12:57pm CDT by the National Weather Service (NWS) in Topeka, KS. SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR DOUGLAS COUNTY A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for Douglas County and 12 other counties. They include Anderson, Chase, Coffey, Franklin, Geary, Johnson, Lyon, Miami, Morris, Osage, Shawnee and Wabaunsee County. A severe thunderstorm watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. Storm spotter and emergency management activation may be needed across north central, northeast and east central Kansas this afternoon and tonight. There is a moderate risk for severe thunderstorms across the entire area this afternoon and tonight. A cold front is expected to move into north central Kansas late this afternoon and slowly move southeast across northeast and east central Kansas overnight. Ahead of this front, strong southerly winds will increase the low-level moisture and help to destabilize the atmosphere. In addition to the front, upper level energy will be on the increase. Individual storms are expected to form across central Kansas during the afternoon. Then as the front moves southeast, thunderstorms should evolve into a line or clusters of storms. There is a threat for large hail and tornadoes during the late afternoon and early evening. As the storms become more of a cluster, the threat will shift to damaging winds and large hail. In addition, because of the slow movement of the front, there is a threat for very heavy rains to occur over the same locations. Stay tuned to NOAA weather radio...and other local media outlets for the latest information from the NWS in Topeka concerning the potential for severe weather.

Related Links:
National Weather Service (NWS) Topeka - Douglas County Forecast - http://www.crh.noaa.gov/data/forecasts/KSZ040.php?warnzone=ksz040&warncounty=ksc045
Weather.com - Douglas County - http://www.weather.com/weather/local/66047?whatprefs=
Weather & Road Condition Info - http://www.douglas-county.com/Weather_Road/weatherroad.asp
NOAA Weather Radio Info - http://www.douglas-county.com/depts/em/preparedness/em_weatherradios.aspx

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