Severe thunderstorm watch expires
2:46 a.m.
The severe thunderstorm watch for Douglas County has expired 15 minutes early.
12:00 a.m.
The severe thunderstorm warning for Douglas County has been canceled. A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 3 a.m.
11:36 p.m.
The severe thunderstorm warning has been extended until 12:15 a.m.
The warning covers all of Jefferson County as well as a sliver of Douglas County, plus northern Leavenworth County.
Strong winds continue to be the primary threat from this storm.
Stay with LJWorld.com for updates.
10:55 p.m.
The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a severe thunderstorm warning until 11:30 p.m. for Douglas County, as well as portions of Jefferson and Shawnee counties in northeast Kansas.
Damaging winds in excess of 60 mph were expected with this storm.
9:29 p.m.
The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a severe thunderstorm watch effective until 3 a.m. for Douglas and surrounding counties. Hail and damaging winds are possible.
2:00 p.m.
The National Weather Service’s severe thunderstorm watch for Douglas County, originally set to expire at 4 p.m., has been canceled.
1:14 p.m.
Strong storms have moved out of the Douglas County area.
12:00 p.m.
According to the police scanner, the approaching storm is capable of 50-mile-per-hour winds. Dispatchers reported a possible structure fire at 11th and Indiana Streets. Eleventh street was closed momentarily because of a possible lightning strike to a building, but the structure did not actually catch fire upon further investigation.
10:58 a.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Douglas and all surrounding counties, in effect until 4 p.m. Saturday. Shawnee and Jefferson counties are under a severe thunderstorm warning until 11:45 a.m.
A watch means conditions are favorable for the development of storms with damaging winds, hail, or the possibility of tornados. According to the national weather service, there is a moderate risk of damaging winds and large to very large hail, and a low risk of tornadic activity associated with these storms.
Hail to 2.5″ in diameter has been reported with a storm system moving east-southeast from central Nebraska.
According to the National Weather Service, spotters have recorded wind up to 80 miles per hour north of Topeka.
Check LJWorld.com for updates.