We continue to receive new information from the National Hurricane Center and Hurricane Hunters flying through Hurricane Helene. More frequent updates are now available since the hurricane is getting closer to land.
As of 4 PM, Helene is a higher-end Category 3 storm with 125mph winds. Rapid intensification is underway. The storm will strengthen through landfall overnight between 10 PM and midnight.
Widespread hurricane and tropical storm force winds overtake Florida through tomorrow and the hurricane will then track into Georgia early tomorrow as it weakens. Life-threatening storm surge is imminent with widespread flooding and power outages anticipated. Storm surge in the Big Bend of Florida may reach 15 to 20 feet in some places, particularly on the eastern edge of the storm’s eye.
Once this system comes inland, it will dance around a low centered to our east as it rapidly weakens. Torrential rainfall is expected across the Deep South, into the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys.
We will be a state divided. Western Kansas will remain clear and be warmer. Additional clouds associated with these two systems to our east will bring in more cloud cover Friday into Saturday from central into eastern Kansas.
The rain stops short before coming into Kansas. Missouri and Arkansas will see some of this rain, not us. Rain does not look possible at all for at least the next 10 days in Kansas. Overnight, temps will feel like fall.
The repeated cycle of warm afternoons near average will continue with highs Friday in the 80s.
I would not be shocked if we flirt with 90 degrees in the west the next several days. A cold front tracks through next Monday night. Except for some brief gusty winds, it comes through dry.
Temperatures take a brief hit to the 70s behind this feature on Tuesday and then rebound quickly to the 80s by midweek.
KSN Storm Track 3 Forecast from Chief Meteorologist Lisa Teachman:
Wichita:
Tonight: Mostly clear. Lo: 55 Wind: SE/NW 5-15
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy. Lo: 82 Wind: NW/NE 8-18
Tomorrow Night: Partly cloudy. Lo: 58 Wind: NE/NW 5-15
Wichita Weekly
Sat: Hi: 83 Lo: 58 Partly cloudy.
Sun: Hi: 83 Lo: 57 Mostly sunny.
Mon: Hi: 84 Lo: 56 Mostly sunny, breezy.
Tue: Hi: 76 Lo: 49 Mostly sunny, breezy.
Wed: Hi: 80 Lo: 57 Mostly sunny, windy.
Thu: Hi: 83 Lo: 57 Mostly sunny, windy.
–Chief Meteorologist Lisa Teachman
