Severe Thunderstorm 09/20/24

The combination of football games and the Valley Center Fall Festival angered the storm gods. We went from nearly 100 to 70 degrees as a powerful cold front hit the area. 

Jabara airport reported a gust of 89 mph.  The storm had a beautiful storm structure and was very visible. 

The fall festival shut down and people took shelter from the football game within the high school. Damage was minimal to Valley Center.

Cheney Lake at 60%

Cheney Lake is the reservoir that Wichita, Kansas draws its water from.  Wichita moved to Stage 2 drought restrictions on August 2, 2024 when the reservoir hit 70% of full.  These restrictions limit when residents can water yards.  

As of this weekend, Cheney Lake fell to 60%.  If the lake continues to drop, Stage 3 restrictions will begin at 50%

We have had rain this year and are doing better than one year ago at this time.  The problem is where the rain falls.  Below is from the US Drought Monitor.  https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/

The estuaries that feed Cheney Lake (Mostly west of Wichita) have had a dry season and high temps.

This weekend, temps fell into the 80's and it was gorgeous.  Hopefully, we can have long, sustained rain back in the area.  Long range forecast only has one day with rain.

The pictures below are of Sailboat Cove.  As of this weekend, it was questionable if the main marina would be usable at Cheney and we didn't go by.