The National Weather Service said widespread power outages were expected in an area including Topeka for which it issued high wind warnings early Friday morning lasting from noon to 7 p.m. Friday.

The warnings covered Shawnee, Jackson, Jefferson, Douglas, Osage, Wabaunsee, Morris, Brown, Lyon, Franklin, Coffey and Anderson counties in northeast and east-central Kansas.

Afternoon wind gusts were expected to reach as high as 58 mph at Topeka, making driving potentially difficult, said the website of the weather service's Topeka office.

"Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines," that site said.

Red flag warning issued

All counties covered by the high wind warning were also among those under a red flag warning the weather service issued regarding potential extreme fire danger for northeast, central, north-central and east-central Kansas.

”Don’t burn outdoors, discard cigarettes properly and avoid activities that could spark a fire,” the weather service said on its Topeka office's website.

The worst risk for fire would be over the central and east/central parts of the state, the weather service said.

Severe thunderstorms possible

A few isolated to scattered thunderstorms, which could quickly become strong and possibly severe, were expected Friday over the far northeast and far east-central parts of the state, forecasters said.

They said high winds were expected to be the biggest threat from those storms, with hail also being possible if storms were slow to exit the area.

Atchison was among areas considered to be at an "enhanced" risk for severe storms.

Marysville, Lawrence and Olathe were all considered to be at a "slight" risk for severe storms.

Topeka, Manhattan, Concordia and Ottawa were all considered to be at a "marginal" risk for severe storms.

Higher chances for severe storms were anticipated Friday to the east of Kansas, in Missouri.

How high will winds get?

The weather service predicted winds in the area covered by the red flag warning would come from the south/southwest at sustained speeds of 25 to 35 mph while gusting at up to 40 to 60 mph.

Wind speeds were anticipated to top out Friday afternoon at 58 mph at Topeka, Emporia and Ottawa; 55 at Lawrence and Kansas City, Kansas; 54 at Garnett, Holton and Hiawatha; 52 at Newton; 51 at St. Joseph, Missouri; 47 at Manhattan; 45 at Abilene and Salina; 43 at Marysville; and 39 at Concordia.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at [email protected] or 785-213-5934.