WICHITA – The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., has raised the threat level for severe weather Saturday to ‘high’ for portions of Kansas and Oklahoma, with officials predicting “a high-end life-threatening event.”

 The ‘high’ zone stretches from Salina to Oklahoma City and includes the Wichita metropolitan area.

Atmospheric conditions “will be very favorable for severe storms and a tornado outbreak will be likely across the southern and central Plains from late Saturday afternoon lasting through the evening and into the overnight period,” an SPC statement warns.

 A ‘moderate’ risk zone stretches from Pratt to east of El Dorado and includes portions of southern Iowa and northern Texas.

Make preparations to seek shelter on short notice Saturday afternoon and evening, and monitor weather conditions and updates closely.

  The National Weather Service has posted an updated web briefing about the severe weather outlook for tonight and Saturday.

 It has also produced a more detailed map of the risk categories for Saturday’s expected outbreak.

 Large hail and damaging winds can also be expected from these supercell thunderstorms