When we think of Christmas, most people have visions of cold snowy weather. But, seven years ago, in southwest Kansas, severe weather, usually associated with spring took center stage with tornadoes skirting through the area. In southwest Kansas, six tornadoes were observed. The early morning started with a very high amount of surface moisture as dew point temperatures rose to around 60 degrees. This is unheard of for late December in southwest Kansas. A line of thunderstorms marched across the area during the mid-morning hours and along the leading edge there were brief spin-ups. Five of these tornadoes caused minor damage. Behind the front, cold air and heavy snow swept in, blanketing the area with several inches of snow. Temperatures in the area went from 71 for a high, down to 10 degrees for the low. Only in Kansas…
