Storm safety tips for Kansas City gardeners this spring & summer

Kansas City gardeners face unpredictable spring and summer storms, with weather shifting from heavy rain to sudden freezes. Recent forecasts highlight threats like flash flooding, large hail, strong winds, and even damaging freezes that can harm sensitive plants. Techniques such as installing rain barrels or planting a rain garden can help manage stormwater and protect your garden during sudden downpours.

Gardeners should pay attention to the risks of Brown Patch disease in humid, rainy summers and remember to protect tender plants when cold snaps are predicted. Staying prepared with weather-smart tools and plant choices will help your Kansas City garden thrive through the shifting seasons.

It will be a rainy day in Kansas City on Friday. Showers and thunderstorms will be off-and-on and are expected to linger in the area for most of the day, the National Weather Service said. Rains could be heavy at times.

NO. 1: SHOWERS, THUNDERSTORMS TO LINGER ACROSS KANSAS CITY AREA. WILL RAINS RUIN WEEKEND?

Off-and-on showers and thunderstorms are expected Friday in Kansas City. What is the forecast for the weekend? | Published May 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Robert A. Cronkleton

Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms will push through the Kansas City area, with the strongest storms expected this Friday night into Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

NO. 2: STORMS, FLASH FLOODING, LARGE HAIL IN KC AREA FORECAST. WHEN WILL THE WORST OF IT HIT?

Large hail and heavy rainfall that could cause flash flooding will be possible in Kansas City. Here’s when the strongest storms will hit. | Published June 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Robert A. Cronkleton

There are steps you can take to prevent brown patches from taking over your lawn.

NO. 3: DON’T LET BROWN PATCHES TAKE OVER YOUR LAWN THIS SUMMER. HERE’S WHAT YOU’RE DOING WRONG

Brown spots are common on Kansas City lawns because of our high humidity. Here’s how to prevent them. | Published June 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anthony Reardon

Sweltering weather returns to the Kansas City area later this week, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures in the mid- to upper 90s along with heat index values in excess of 105 degrees will be possible across the Kansas City area.

NO. 4: STORMS WITH STRONG WINDS EXPECTED TO POP UP IN KC. WHEN WILL SCORCHING HEAT ROLL IN?

Strong thunderstorms and sweltering weather is expected in the area. Here’s how hot it will get. | Published July 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Robert A. Cronkleton

Clouds move in over downtown Kansas City on the morning of Friday, June 28, 2024. By HG Biggs

NO. 5: IT’LL BE A WET AND SOGGY WEEKEND IN KANSAS CITY. WHEN WILL IT FINALLY FEEL LIKE FALL?

It’s been an unusually warm September. | Published September 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kendrick Calfee

If you’ve collected milkweed seeds, you may need to treat them to imitate the outdoor winter conditions.

NO. 6: YOUR SEEDS ARE SLEEPING THROUGH THIS WINTER. TAKE THESE STEPS TO HELP THEM WAKE UP

Many plant species adapted to cold environments will need a dormancy-breaking treatment. | Published January 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Markis Hill

Be methodical about cleaning up the yard to ensure our native bees and good insects thrive.

NO. 7: GARDENERS, ARE YOU PREPARING FOR KICKOFF SEASON? TAKE PROACTIVE STEPS TO BLOCK PESTS

Start with a cleanup of plant debris and weeds from last season, but take steps to ensure our native bee population isn’t disturbed. | Published February 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Reardon

There is a possibility of strong to severe thunderstorms early Thursday in the Kansas City area, primarily along and north of Interstate 70, according to the National Weather Service. Hail being the primary hazard. The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center has placed Kansas City and surrounding areas under a marginal risk of severe weather.

NO. 8: SHOWERS, THUNDERSTORMS TO PUSH INTO THE KANSAS CITY AREA. WILL ANY BE STRONG OR SEVERE?

Dry storms, known as virga, and well-above-average temperatures are also in the weather forecast. | Published March 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Robert A. Cronkleton

A rainy and cool weekend is expected in the Kansas City metro area, according to the National Weather Service. No severe weather is expected with the wave of showers.

NO. 9: RAINY WEEKEND FORECAST: COOL WEATHER IN KANSAS CITY

Waves of rain and cool temperatures will dominate the weather in Kansas City. How will this impact your weekend fun? | Published April 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Robert A. Cronkleton

The coldest morning of the week is expected Tuesday, as temperatures drop to the mid-20s to near 30s, according to the National Weather Service. In Kansas City, temperatures will dip to or below 32 degrees. The freeze could damage sensitive plants.

NO. 10: KANSAS CITY FORECAST: DAMAGING FREEZE, RAIN, THEN A WARM-UP

Kansas City faces a chilly start with freeze warnings. How soon before it warms back up? | Published April 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Robert A. Cronkleton

Storms are expected to develop in central to eastern Kansas and move east into Missouri Tuesday, the National Weather Service said. Severe weather is possible, with the strongest storms expected to be over central and eastern Kansas. The storms are expected to lose strength and they approach Missouri.

NO. 11: STORMS, SHOWERS SET TO SOAK KANSAS CITY. IS SEVERE WEATHER A THREAT?

Daily rain showers and occasional thunderstorms are expected in Kansas City this week. Severe weather risks include large hail and damaging winds. | Published April 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Robert A. Cronkleton

Columbine and other plants add some color to the rain garden at the Shawnee Indian Mission in Fairway. By Beth Lipoff

NO. 12: WANT YOUR JOHNSON COUNTY GARDEN TO THRIVE? LEARN ABOUT CONTAIN THE RAIN PROGRAM

The countywide program helps with costs and guides people to find solutions that also reduce water pollution. | Published May 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Beth Lipoff

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.