Storms dump rain, hail across Kansas City area; severe storms possible later

Strong storms, some producing up to an inch an hour of rain, swept across the Kansas City area early Wednesday morning, slowing the commute and causing water to pond on the roads.

The morning storms also created dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning. The storms were weakening across the metropolitan area by 7:30 a.m., but heavy rains continued to fall in some areas.

The rain was expected to end by around 10 a.m., but another round of strong to severe storms was expected to redevelop late Wednesday afternoon and into the evening.

These storms likely will bring the threat of large hail, damaging winds, heavy rains and flash flooding. There’s also a small chance of tornadoes. The threat of severe storms is primarily east of the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Dry and cooler weather is expected to return Wednesday night and Thursday. Another storm system, however, is expected to move into the area on Friday.

This story was originally published May 11, 2016 at 8:18 AM with the headline "Storms dump rain, hail across Kansas City area; severe storms possible later."