Severe Thunderstorms With 70 mph Winds Sweep Across Northeast Kansas
Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds are moving across parts of northeastern Kansas late Wednesday night, prompting warnings from the National Weather Service. A 29-year-old American tourist from Kansas was killed by a lightning strike while hiking on Sicily’s Mount Etna on August 17.
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued in Kansas
The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Johnson County, Kansas, at 1044 PM CDT. [1] A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Jackson County and surrounding areas in northeastern Kansas until 1145 PM CDT. [2] These alerts address storms capable of producing strong winds that can affect trees, mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. [1]
Storm Movement and Primary Hazards
At 1044 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Tonganoxie and moving east at 50 mph. [1] Radar indicated the hazard of 70 mph wind gusts. [1] At 1041 PM CDT, another severe thunderstorm was located 4 miles south of Wheaton and moving southeast at 25 mph. [2] This storm carried a hazard of 60 mph winds. [2] The warnings note that considerable tree damage is expected along with likely damage to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. [1]
Areas at Risk of Damage
Locations impacted by the Johnson County storm include Shawnee, Lenexa, Leavenworth, Lansing, Merriam, Bonner Springs, Parkville, Tonganoxie, Platte City, Basehor, Edwardsville, Riverside, Weatherby Lake, Lake Quivira, Kansas City Intl Arpt, Kansas City, Lake Waukomis, and Ferrel. [1] The Jackson County warning covers Northwestern Jefferson County in northeastern Kansas, Northwestern Shawnee County in east central Kansas, Northeastern Wabaunsee County in east central Kansas, Eastern Pottawatomie County in northeastern Kansas, and Jackson County in northeastern Kansas. [2]
Lightning Fatality on Mount Etna
A 29-year-old American tourist from Kansas died after being struck by lightning while hiking on Sicily’s Mount Etna on August 17. [5] The man was hiking in an exposed, barren area of the volcano known as Rocca Capra at about 4,600 feet above sea level. [5] Italian firefighters reported that the man was rescued by helicopter after the lightning strike, but he was later declared dead by medical staff. [5] The area where the man was hiking had been closed to visitors due to recent volcanic activity. [5] Officials noted that, in recent decades, more people have died on Mount Etna due to lightning strikes than from volcanic eruptions. [5]
Ongoing Heat and Tropical Weather Concerns in Asia
As Japan's summers grow ever hotter, the country's aging farmers are turning to working at night to avoid the risk of potentially fatal heat shock. [3] A tropical depression over waters east of Guam could be upgraded into a tropical storm later today, but it remains too early to tell if it is to affect Taiwan because of its uncertain path, the Central Weather Administration said. [4] As of 8am, the tropical depression was 3,870km east-southeast of Cape Oluanpi, Taiwan's southernmost point, and moving in a northwest direction at 17kph. [4] The agency forecast that the weather system is to move to about 3,540km east-southeast of the cape by 8am tomorrow. [4] Although the weather system is expected to head for Japan, the CWA said it would continue to monitor the storm's movement to determine whether it would eventually affect Taiwan's weather. [4] Taiwan is currently in a typical summer weather pattern, prompting the CWA to issue heat advisories for parts of seven cities and counties today. [4] An "orange" heat alert was issued for Nantou County in central Taiwan and Yunlin and Pingtung counties and Chiayi and Tainan cities in the south, warning that temperatures in those areas could reach 36°C or higher for three consecutive days. [4] Yellow heat alerts were issued for Changhua County in central Taiwan and Chiayi County in the south, indicating temperature highs of 36°C are possible for a single day. [4] Elsewhere, daytime temperatures were expected to hit 32°C to 35°C. [4]
What to watch next: The Central Weather Administration will continue monitoring the tropical depression to determine whether its path will affect Taiwan after it heads toward Japan.
