Supercells capable of strong winds, large hail, tornadoes could form in Kansas City area

The storms that swept through Kansas City early Wednesday morning could pale in comparison to storms that are expected to form in the afternoon over the area.

The early morning storms moved through the Kansas City area, bringing heavy rains and strong winds of 60 mph in some places. Heavy rain also fell in some areas.

The storms knocked out power, primarily south of the Missouri River in Kansas City and to areas south and east. As of 8 a.m., more than 2,000 customers were without power in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

The National Weather Service is warning that afternoon storms could be much worse.

And if weather conditions come together just right, some of the storms form into supercells near the Kansas City area. If that happens, the storms could produce large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service.

The storms are expected to grow into a line of storms and move into central Missouri and the Ozarks, where damaging winds and heavy rain are likely.

Widespread heavy rain is possible Wednesday evening just east of the Kansas City area into central Missouri, where a flash flood watch is in effect.

The chance for occasional storms will persist into Friday, with lower chances over the Fourth of July weekend.

There’s a break possible Saturday, making a rain-free Independence Day a possibility, according to the National Weather Service.