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NE Kansas at risk for late-night severe storms, flooding

By Tim Hrenchir, Topeka Capital-Journal USA Today Network via Reuters Connect
The National Weather Service's Topeka office posted this graphic on its website early June 20 sharing information about the potential for severe weather later that day and early June 21 in parts of central and eastern Kansas.
The National Weather Service's Topeka office posted this graphic on its website early June 20 sharing information about the potential for severe weather later that day and early June 21 in parts of central and eastern Kansas. Provided by the National Weather USA TODAY Network, Reuters

An enhanced chance for severe storms is predicted late Saturday, June 20, for much of central and eastern Kansas, with a slight chance for severe weather forecast for northeast and much of east-central Kansas.

Heavy rain is expected in most of central and eastern Kansas, with the National Weather Service predicting 1.79 inches will fall in both Topeka and Lawrence between June 20 and June 21.

The weather service early June 20 issued flood watches and flash flood watches lasting until the afternoon or evening of June 21 for various counties in central and eastern Kansas, including Shawnee County.

The weather service forecast overall rainfall totals for June 20 to June 21 that included 2.3 inches for Hiawatha, 2.11 inches for Manhattan, 1.95 inches for Marysville, 1.89 inches for Concordia and 1.77 inches for Emporia.

Here's when severe weather is expected

Most of June 20 is expected to be dry in the areas involved.

Forecasters said an isolated storm or two may form over the area between 4 and 8 p.m. June 20 but they seemed most concerned about storms expected to enter north-central Kansas about 10 to 11 p.m. June 20 and move slowly southeast, passing early June 21 into northeast and east-central Kansas.

Forecasters predicted medium to high chances for damaging winds and flooding and low to medium chances for hail and tornadoes.

The weather service expressed medium to high confidence that storms would occur.

"The primary uncertainty that limits higher confidence is the issue of timing and arrival of overnight storms," the weather service said in a graphic posted on the website of its Topeka office. "Trends have been slowing the time of arrival deeper into the overnight period."

(This article has been revised to include updated information.)

Contact Tim Hrenchir at 785-213-5934 or tim.hrenchir@cjonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: NE Kansas at risk for late-night severe storms, flooding

Reporting by Tim Hrenchir, Topeka Capital-Journal / Topeka Capital-Journal

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The National Weather Service's Topeka office on June 19 posted this graphic on its website sharing information about the potential for flooding and heavy rain June 20 and early June 21 in north-central and northeast Kansas.
The National Weather Service's Topeka office on June 19 posted this graphic on its website sharing information about the potential for flooding and heavy rain June 20 and early June 21 in north-central and northeast Kansas. Provided by the National Weather USA TODAY Network, Reuters

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

This story was originally published June 20, 2026 at 7:47 AM.

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