TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Stay weather informed today with today’s risk of severe weather. Storms can be severe, especially in several areas during the evening commute. A cold front will move through the area, which also means areas, especially west of HWY 75, will see falling temperatures late this morning into the afternoon, with most spots in the 50s and 60s around 5 p.m. The good news is that it will be dry for Halloween, but the rain will return this weekend.

Take action:

1. There is a chance of storms this afternoon. The only question is how severe they will be and what severe weather parameters will accompany the storms. All hazards come into play (hail, wind, tornadoes), so be aware of the weather anytime after 12pm, but especially between 3pm and 9pm.
2. View the latest severe weather risks here: https://www.wibw.com/weather/risk-maps/
3. Submit your photos here: https://www.wibw.com/page/weather-pictures/
4. Rain will return this weekend and early next week, with strong to heavy storms expected, especially on Sunday.
5. Trick or treaters will be treated to temperatures in the low 50s/40s tomorrow evening with light winds and dry conditions.
6. Daylight saving time ends this weekend: Good time to check and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and your weather radio.

An unusually high risk of severe weather for this time of year is in the forecast for today as a cold front moves through the area. The good news is that it won’t last long after sunset, but the bad news is that it will impact some of the places you travel to and from in the evening, whether it’s coming home from work or kids coming home from school. Timings may change, but the greatest potential for concern is west of HWY 75. Areas along and east of the highway may not see storms until 5 to 6 p.m. Keep checking back throughout the day for updates on the latest timings.

Today: Isolated showers/storms in north-central KS this morning, not expected to be severe. Storms that could be severe are possible in north-central KS anytime after 1:00 PM, with storms continuing to increase in coverage and intensity throughout the afternoon. Highs will be in the 70s everywhere, but areas west of HWY 75 will see afternoon temperatures dip into the 50s and 60s. Wind S 15-25, gusts up to 40 km/h ahead of the front, northwest wind 10-20, gusts around 40 km/h behind the front.

This evening: Storms likely before 11:00 PM, mainly along and east of HWY 75. Lows in the low-mid 40s. Wind SW/NW 10-20, gusts around 40 km/h.

Tomorrow (Halloween): Few clouds, plenty of sun. Wind gusts may still reach 30 to 40 km per hour in the morning, but by the afternoon the wind will be 5 to 10 km per hour from the northwest.

The coolest temperatures are expected Friday morning in the mid-30s, with highs in the mid-60s, allowing for another day of drying out.

This weekend and early next week will be very unsettled with several showers and storms in the area. Many areas will see between 3 and 6 inches of rain over the next 8 days. Because of all the rain, that should limit flooding potential, but still something to keep an eye on.

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