Poll

April Weather in Kansas?

Stormy
1 (100%)
Sunny
0 (0%)

Total Members Voted: 1

Author Topic: April Weather in Kansas  (Read 7807 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline bigwolf tour

April Weather in Kansas
« on: March 09, 2009, 04:43:34 pm »
I am planning on taking the TransAm route, starting out in Colorado in late March, does anybody know what the weather will be like in Kansas and Missouri?

Offline sedges

Re: April Weather in Kansas
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2009, 08:56:52 pm »
April has the third greatest likelihood of tornadoes, behind May and June.  Kansas and Missouri have major tornado hotspots.  This is a part of the country that I personally would stay away from during peak tornado season.  Sure there are tornadoes everywhere in the central and eastern states, but Kansas has so little to offer for cover.  It would be very easy to be caught out in the open.

Carry a weather radio and watch forecasts carefully.  Plan to lay over when storms are predicted, or at least plan on being in a place with shelter(town) by early afternoon.

Offline RussSeaton

Re: April Weather in Kansas
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2009, 04:36:13 pm »
I am planning on taking the TransAm route, starting out in Colorado in late March, does anybody know what the weather will be like in Kansas and Missouri?

Kansas is usually OK by April.  Not hot and not cold, cold, cold.  Can be rainy and cool.  But late March on the Colorado plains can be cold.  You'd be better off leaving a month later.  Missouri similar to Kansas, cool and rainy.  BUT, it can be danged cold too.  I've ridden in the KC area where it was in the 30s in late March and early April.  And not much warmer a month later.

Tornadoes?  Lie in a ditch if you see one.

Offline John Nettles

  • World Traveler
  • *****
  • Posts: 2038
  • I ride for smiles, not miles.
Re: April Weather in Kansas
« Reply #3 on: March 13, 2009, 01:54:49 am »
I live in Oklahoma so we have our fair share of tornadoes.  I would personally be more concerned about the cold in Colorado/western Kansas and/or severe thunderstorms than a tornado.

Yes, if you get a direct hit by a tornado, you might as well say goodbye.  However, you can be within a few football fields of one and come through OK if you are low to the ground.

The weather forecasters in this part of the country are actually very accurate on storms and their locations.  Carry a small AM or weather radio and if it looks bad (if greenish/yellowish  skies and/or no animal/bird sounds be very alert) turn it on.  When storms are present, they usually give updates every 15 minutes or so.  If it is more than a couple of miles away and not on a direct path, no worries.  Most tornadoes and violent storms hit between 3:00pm to 8:00pm so if in town you will hear sirens if an alert is issued.

However, tornado's are usually, but not always, accompanied by very violent storms with up to 4 inches of rain in an hour; hail (marble to baseball size); and/or 70mph straight line winds.  If hail is forecast, keep an eye out for places to escape to (not much in Kansas though).  Locals are usually extremely friendly so don't hesitate going to someone's house if needed.

All this sounds scary but I would not hesitate cycling Kansas in May (prime time for severe weather).  The days can be absolutely wonderful with low 80s and everything green.  Just keep an eye on the sky.
« Last Edit: March 13, 2009, 01:57:16 am by TulsaJohn »