By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Spring is just around the corner, and the warmer temperatures mean a greater threat of severe weather. In preparation for storm season, the National Weather Service out of Wichita will return to Great Bend on Wednesday, March 4, for its annual “Storm Fury on the Plains” presentation. Warning Coordination Meteorologist Vanessa Pearce said the presentation is a good way for all ages to learn about storm identification and safety.
“We cover the different types of storms, storm features, and trying to determine the severity of the storm – how to look at visual clues to determine what that is - how to report hazardous weather, then of course, severe weather safety is a component as well,” Pearce said.
The National Weather Service adds new information to the presentation each year. The Great Bend presentation will be one of many around the state. In April, the National Weather Service will host a most advanced presentation in Andover.
“Each year, we do a different presentation and a new presentation,” said Pearce. “It has very similar things as before, but it is new. We have more interactive components this year, so it’s definitely more engaging.”
There were 89 tornadoes in Kansas in 2024, up from 39 in 2023. Last year was relatively mild across the state, at least in terms of tornadoes.
“We had more severe thunderstorms last year than on average, but in terms of tornadoes, were actually down from where we’ve been across the state,” Pearce said. “The statewide total last year was 30, and our typical is closer to 90, so we didn’t have as many tornadoes, but we did have a good amount of severe thunderstorms that produced damaging winds and large hail.”
Pearce and KWCH Meteorologist Ross Jansen will host “Why is Kansas Weather So Different at Barton Community College this Saturday, Feb. 28 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Science & Math Building, Room S-118. “Storm Fury on the Plains” is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on March 4 at the Crest Theater in downtown Great Bend.