Kansas town sees triple digit temperatures after dark

WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) — Folks in Liberal got an unusual surprise late Friday night as temperatures soared back into the triple digits after 10 p.m.

Earlier in the evening, thunderstorms developed across the Oklahoma panhandle and far southwest KAKEland. As the storms weakened, rain began falling through very dry air aloft. Instead of reaching the ground, most of the rain evaporated, cooling the air rapidly as it fell. That cooler, heavier air accelerated toward the ground, compressing and heating up as it descended. By the time it reached the surface in Liberal, the air was not only dry but extremely hot, causing temperatures to skyrocket in minutes.