Updated: Large hail, possible tornados in forecast tonight. Here’s when, where
Severe thunderstorms, large hail, damaging winds and a tornado or two are possible Wednesday in south central Kansas.
The greatest risk for severe storms will begin a little later than first expected, around 6 p.m. April 1, and carry through until 3 a.m. April 2, Wichita’s National Weather Service station said. South central Kansas, the Flint Hills and parts of southeast Kansas are expected to see the highest impact.
That may manifest as 70 mph wind gusts, heavy rainfall, golf-ball sized hail and potentially a brief tornado, the weather service reported.
Some cities expected to receive the brunt of the storm are Harper, Winfield and Wichita. The weather station placed them at a Level 3 risk in a five-tier system, while other large central Kansas cities like Hutchinson and Emporia are at a lower Level 2 risk.
The weather service recommended that residents prepare an emergency kit, write a family communication plan and identify a safe place to take shelter if necessary. The station also suggested that households have more than one way to receive warnings; some options include listening to the NOAA weather radio or wireless emergency alert and weather apps or using outdoor sirens, local TV and radio, the internet and family and friends to remain up to date on the storms.
In anticipation of the severe weather, aircrews from McConnell Air Force Base spent Wednesday relocating a KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft to other military bases across the country, a press release from the base said. It marks the second time this year the base has had to move aircraft due to weather. Remaining crafts at the Air Force base will be stored in hangers.
Additional weather updates can be found on the National Weather Service website.
This story was originally published April 1, 2026 at 12:22 PM.
