Severe thunderstorm watch expires

Ames Burdett, an employee of the Bluedot Salon, sits on the front steps of the building at the corner of Seventh and New Hampshire streets, watching the storm roll over downtown Saturday, June 19, 2010.

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.