Welcome to our online chat with Matt Sayers, 6News Chief Meteorologist.

The chat took place on Thursday, March 23, at 1:30 PM and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

Moderator: Good afternoon and welcome to our chat with 6News Chief Meteorologist Matt Sayers.

I’m Isaac Bell, World Online assistant online editor, and I’ll be moderating today’s chat.

We’ve got lots of questions already, so let’s get started.

Matt Sayers: Sound Good! I’m all ears.

Darrel from Lawrence: Matt: I’ve noticed a forecasting pattern for this area, and I’d like you to comment on it. When the weather forecasters call for major snow more than two days in advance, we get very little. And when the weather forecasters mention a possibility of a trace of snow overnight, we get four or five inches. Is eastern KS the land of the busted forecast?

Moderator: Good afternoon and welcome to our chat with 6News Chief Meteorologist Matt Sayers.

I’m Isaac Bell, World Online assistant online editor, and I’ll be moderating today’s chat.

We’ve got lots of questions already, so let’s get started.

6News' Chief Meterologist Matt Sayers responds to reader's questions.

Matt Sayers: Snowfall forecasts in the state of Kansas provide Meteorologists quite a bit of trouble. The challenge of forecasting snow also adds to the excitement. Several issues can affect the snow totals: soil temperatures, air temperatures and moisture. A given storm may provide .25 to .5 inches of moisture, but that could be a difference of 3 to 6 inches of snowfall. All too often we are fighting the freeze line which also plays games with the forecast.

Moderator: (Sorry about that repeated opening, we had a technical glitch)

To follow up on this question, Matt: Can you explain why the first week of spring has been so wintery?

Matt Sayers: The weather pattern goes in cycles. We just currently happen to be in a blocking pattern that brings cool weather to the eastern 2/3rds of the country. We begin to see this pattern change by the end of this weekend.

Topeka , Kansas: This is Ron Miller, Matt. I have been a Meteorologista for NOAA for 26 years That storm parts of it may have microburst but most that hit far North of Town was a Tornado I went North of Town to a farmers house that his stalls got ripped apart and sir let me tell you that was a twister a bit of that roof was clear over on the other side of High Way 24 that runs to Tongie / KC Why are you all still saying it was NO Twister and a straight line wind ? I seen w/ my own eyes 3 funnels

Matt Sayers: The NWS did report a weak tornado in Southern Leavenworth county. They also confirmed that the damage in the city of Lawrence was caused by a microburst. The NWS used video, pictures and damage surveys to reach the conclusion. A microburst can cause gustnadoes, which provide the horizontal spinup of wind.

Ken, Lawrence: How would you rate Douglas County Emergency Preparedness in terms of preparation for and response to the big storms we’ve had over the last couple of years?

Matt Sayers: From my point of view they do a fine job. Their coordination with us certainly helps us get the right information out to the public.

Silence, KS: Matt, are you even old enough to work as a meteorologist?

Matt Sayers: I’m not sure there is an age limit on the job, but I do have a degree in Meteorology. If you are curious about my age…I graduated high school in ’96.

Heidi, Lawrence: What classes did you study in college to become a meteorologist? My seven year old son is wanting to become a weatherman.

Matt Sayers: Math, math and math. Meteorology is math heavy, which was great for me as that was my favorite subject as a child. Prereq’s for meteorology include Calc. 1, 2, and 3, Differential equations, and several physics courses. The Meteorology courses within the degree are extensions from those prereq’s.

Joe from Topeka: Matt, what is it about trailer parks that attracts tornados? It seems like each and every year I see or hear a story about a trailer park somewhere in the central or southern USA getting wiped out by a twister!! It seems to happen often enough that I think I can definitely say to you that as long as I live here in eastern Kansas, I will never live in a trailer park!! Matt, would you ever be brave enough live in a trailer park? If so, then God bless you, my friend!

Matt Sayers: Mobile homes do not provide protection from tornadoes or high winds. The primary reason for constantly seeing a damaged mobile home, is the fixed structures surrounding the mobile home weathered the storm. Do NOT stay in a mobile home during severe weather!

Jennifer, Topeka: The weather channel stated that a late winter storm like the one we just had indicates a more active tornado season. Is this true?

Matt Sayers: The weather pattern provides us with the ingredients for an active season. We are also in a weak la nina. Though it is weak, a la nina season is typically on the active side.

Moderator: Actually, with all the concern over tornados, I’m curious. Is this area even known for tornado activity? I’ve lived in Northeast Kansas for years, and there have been only a few tornados in all that time. Yet I hear about them a great deal from other areas in the region.

Matt Sayers: Yes and no. Kansas is in tornado alley, and we see our fair share of tornadoes, but you have to think about how isolated they are. Only two tornadoes have struck within the city limits over the last 25 years. Even so, tornadoes provide a threat we should never turn our back on!

Kim, Lawrence: Is any modeling good enough to justify the concern that global warming will bring an increased intensity of storms?

Matt Sayers: We are still trying to grasp exactly how global warming will change our climate and how fast. Most research points towards extremes. Think large scale. Global warming can bring on extended periods of warm, cold, dry or wet weather.

Moderator: Do you have any weather-related misconceptions you’d like to address?

Matt Sayers: Overpasses…

If you are caught on the road in the event of a tornado, do not seek shelter under an overpass. The overpass actually works to increase the wind speeds as the air funnels through.

Jeremy, Lawrence: Have you seen the movie “The Weatherman”? Have you had similar experiences as the character in that movie?

Matt Sayers: No, but I enjoyed the movie. It is rare to find a tv weatherman without a degree these days.

Moderator: Do you ever have to deal with people getting angry with you for your forecasts face-to-face?

Matt Sayers: Most people are very pleasant face-to-face, but we do get a fair share of emails when the forecast busts.

Moderator: Before we go, one last question. Do you have a favorite kind of weather?

Matt Sayers: 90 degrees and sunny. I struggle with the cold weather.

Moderator: Me, too. Give me the heat.

Thanks for taking the questions, Matt, and we’ll see you on 6News.

Matt Sayers: Thanks for all the questions. I’ll see you tonight at 6 and 10.