Kansas wakes up to calm, pleasant conditions this morning with temperatures in the 60s. Expect those numbers to jump to the lower 80s this afternoon—about ten degrees warmer than normal—under mostly sunny skies.
The warming trend continues through week's end. Thursday brings lower 80s, followed by temperatures reaching the middle 80s Friday. Gusty south winds will pick up both days, with occasional bursts between 30 and 40 miles per hour.
A cold front arrives late Thursday into Friday, bringing the potential for severe weather. Western Kansas could see strong storms tomorrow evening, while a second round of showers and thunderstorms develops Friday evening through overnight—primarily along and east of a line from Salina to Pratt.
The weekend cooldown will be brief. Highs drop back to the 60s and 70s Saturday and Sunday, but we'll bounce right back into the upper 70s and lower 80s early next week—running 10 to 15 degrees above average once again.