Flash flooding expected in Kansas and Missouri over July 4 weekend

Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms will likely hit the Kansas City area this weekend, with flash flooding expected across wide areas of eastern Kansas and central Missouri.

The good news: skies may clear up in time to salvage July 4 celebrations on Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Rain is expected to start in many areas in the early morning hours Saturday and continue through Sunday night. Severe storms capable of producing damaging wind and hail will probably be isolated in pockets.

The greatest danger will come from heavy rains that may bring 4 to 6 inches of rain by Sunday night, causing flash flooding and river flooding.

A flash flood watch issued Friday for Kansas City and surrounding areas was expected to continue through Sunday night.

This story was originally published July 1, 2016 at 8:11 PM with the headline "Flash flooding expected in Kansas and Missouri over July 4 weekend."