Tornado watch likely for Kansas City area. Severe storms, hail, high winds also forecast
Update: A tornado watch has been issued for counties north and east of Kansas City. Get the details here.
Kansas City and surrounding communities are likely to see a tornado watch issued Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
Most of Missouri, eastern Kansas, southwestern Iowa and western Illinois make up the area that officials say has a 95% chance of going under a tornado watch.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the Harrisonville and Pleasant Hill area before 9 a.m., with quarter-sized hail possible. Dime-sized hail was reported in Pleasant Hill around 9:15 a.m., the NWS reported.
In Kansas, strong storms began earlier Friday morning and continued to creep northeast toward Paola and Olathe. The weather service reports that quarter-sized hail is also possible for that area.
Gusty winds of up to 55 miles per hour are possible, as the area remains under a wind advisory until 7 p.m.
This story was originally published March 31, 2023 at 9:43 AM.