Storm threat on the increase

It's late February and severe weather is probably the farthest thing from your mind. That said, we do have a severe weather risk unfolding across the yellow shaded areas for this afternoon and evening. Large hail, some high wind and even an isolated tornado can't be completed ruled out in Kansas.

A warm front is lifting northward into southcentral and southeast Kansas this morning. South of the front, the air is warmer and very moist. North of the front, it's much cooler with low clouds and fog blanketing much of the state.

What we'll have to watch out for this afternoon is the position of the warm front and if we're able to get some sunshine. More sunshine means the atmosphere could get more unstable. Stay tuned!

Wichita: town of extremes

It's been a wild three week stretch here in Wichita. If you've been out of town for the last month, here's what you missed:

January 28th: High 72, breaking old record of 69 from 1968.

January 29th: High 70, tying record from 1971.

February 3rd: Low -6, just missing a record low by one degree.

February 9th: Low -9 (just before Midnight), tying low from 1899.

February 10th: Low -17, tied for 4th coldest temperature EVER in Wichita. Shattered previous low for the day of -5 (1980).

February 17th: High 78, breaking old record of 75 from 1970.

Nothing like a 95 degree change in 7 days. That's Wichita for you.

From up above

A visible satellite view of the massive winter storm on Tuesday afternoon. Courtesy: NOAA.

Bitter cold morning in Wichita

We've dropped to 6 below zero so far in Wichita this morning. This is the coldest we've been since February 4, 1996, when we hit -7. That's also the record for today's date too. It will be interesting to see if we tie it here before 8 a.m.

UPDATE: We didn't. -6 is the morning low. It also marks the first time since 1996 that we've had multiple days of subzero readings in one year.

Chilly night ahead

Another cold night is ahead with lows statewide dropping down to below zero. Coldest windchills will be overnight into mid-morning. If you have to be out, please dress warmly!!