Welcome to our online chat with Matt Sayers, 6News chief meteorologist.

The chat took place at 1 p.m. Friday, May 27, and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

Moderator: Welcome to our chat today. Matt, we have several questions already in the hopper, so we’ll go ahead and get started.

Matt Sayers: As far as I am concerned, I’m free to answer any and all questions involving meteorology or my profession. Lets go.

Brian, St Louis MO: Hi Matt,

I have been told by several local Lawrence residents, about the “Tonganoxie Split”, usually referring to when storms or winter weather travel towards Lawrence from the Northwest to the Southeast. After living here for almost ten years and observing numerous systems that seem to follow the pattern of breaking up just short of Lawrence, it seems that there may be at least some truth to the local theory. Is this observation purely coincidental, or is there some meteorological reason for it?

Matt Sayers: Most towns have their own version of the “Tonganoxie split”. There is no proof that the split actually drives storms over certain areas or keeps them out of others. Folklore such as this usually makes for good conversation and explanations of dry patterns. However this year the majority of storms have fired along and North of I-70.

Amanda, Lawrence: I just wanted to say you are way sexy Matt! I watch everyday because of you!

Matt Sayers, 6News meteorologist, chatted with ljworld.com readers this afternoon about various weather topics, including the Tonganoxie

Matt Sayers: Thanks Amanda. I’m flattered, but hopefully my accurate forecasts will draw you in as well.

Jason, Lawrence: Thank you for being one of the best at delivering the weather to viewers in a direct, accurate and to the point. My question is what are your thoughts about climatological data (weather patterns) from the early 1900s going forward being used to predict current weather? For example, this being a dry spring compared to past years, but looking at it from a climatological pattern standpoint vs El Nino and greenhouse gas effects.

Matt Sayers: The past is always helpful when looking into the future weatherwise. This year we are coming off a weak El Nino which is still playing with our weather pattern and making substantial rainfall a bit of a struggle. To be honest the way our weather pattern is set up now, it looks like it is mid-July. Hence the lack of severe weather outbreaks.

Travis, Lawrence, KS: Do you think this summer will be warmer than last summer? What type of weather do you expect this summer?

Matt Sayers: Last summer was cool, but not as cool as you may think. We never officially recorded a temperature at or above 100 degrees. Rare yes, but strange no. We did not climb above the 100 degree mark on five different years during the 90s. In my opinion this summer will evolve into a slightly warmer, but drier than average pattern.

Moderator: Matt, sorry to jump in here, but I wondered if you could talk a little about the Polar vortex’s effect on tornadoes this year?

Matt Sayers: We are currently under the influence of the polar vortex, which is spinning over the Hudson Bay. This “Vortex” is sending a cold front through the plains and scouring out the moisture in the atmosphere every couple of days. For thunderstorm and specifically tornado development, we need surface dewpoints in the mid to upper 60’s. That moisture has been bottled up to our South. Typically May brings roughly 475 tornados across the nation. This May we are hovering around the 100 mark. I guess we were due considering the last several years.

Adam B. in Melvern: Hello Mr. Sayers,

What was your toughest class in college and what do you enjoy most about being a meteorologist?

Matt Sayers: Differential Equations was tough although I am a math nut so I didn’t mind. The Met. degree actually requires Calc. 1,2,3, Diff. Eq, loads of Physics and more math. The hardest courses from my standpoint were the 100 level non-major classes, because I had a hard time getting motivated.

My favorite part:

I like the day to day changes in my job. Each day brings a new challenge when trying to figure out something as chaotic as weather.

Karen Lawrence: Are you married or have a girlfriend??

Matt Sayers: Thanks Karen. Married no…girlfriend yes.

Brett, Eudora: Matt, do you expect us to have a dry summer again, and with the change in climates through the spring to you see it being this drastic in the summer time.

Matt Sayers: Last summer we actually ended up above average with precip. At this point we are trending toward a dry and slightly warmer than average summer. Cross your fingers that this rain today adds up to more than a few 0.01’s.

Emily Robinson, Lawrence: What happens if the weather is severe for several days straight? Do you have to work 24/7?

Matt Sayers: I have to work as long as the threat is around. It is rare that I have to work for days on end. The longest stretch to date was last June. I was on for the 6 and 10 newscasts. Then severe weather rolled through during the overnight hours. After that I had to go on air for the morning updates. Jennifer and Tim help out quite a bit.

Tammy, Lawrence: What are the chances we will ever have large snows like we used to around here. And does all the blacktop, concrete and asphalt repelling heat affect the atmosphere (given 100 years ago there wasn’t a problem with that)?

Matt Sayers: Two things here:

1. Snow

Large snows cannot be ruled out, but they have been hard to come by of late. Most storms we are fighting the freeze line which not only produces snow and ice, but reduces the efficiency of the snowfall. The colder the temperatures the more snow Mother Nature can make with a constant amount of water.

2. City heat

Google this…Urban heat island. Although it does not change our snow totals, it does alter our temperatures. This can be seen most at night. The asphalt absorbs the heat and retains a portion of it through the night. Studies have shown Lawrence is around 2-3 degrees warmer than the surrounding areas. Kansas City is around 5 – 7 degrees warmer than the countryside. This make forecasting a trick as we forecast for the thermometer at Lawrence Municipal Airport (Countryside).

Moderator: Matt, thanks for taking the questions from our readers today.

Matt Sayers: Thanks for the questions. Here’s a fun fact for you: Lawrence is on average two degrees warmer than our neighbors in Kansas City. You can catch me tonight at 6 and 10, or email me at msayers@sunflowerbroadband.com.