Severe weather possible in Kansas City, but tornado threat greater north of the metro
Rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to sweep across the Kansas City area Thursday, producing strong winds, flooding and large hail, according to FOX4 meteorologist Karli Ritter.
“We are continuing to keep an eye on the radar today because we have showers and thunderstorms impacting this morning’s forecast and more rain, more thunderstorms and maybe some severe weather later today as well,” said Ritter, who provides weather updates to The Star.
The Kansas City metro will be at a slight risk of severe weather later this afternoon, while areas north of U.S. 36 in the St. Joseph area are at at greater risk.
“That is where we will have more organized severe weather,” Ritter said. “For here in Kansas City, our greatest concern is going to be some damaging winds or some large hail. There will be a chance flooding given how much rain we’ve had yesterday, what we are seeing this morning and what we are anticipating this evening.”
The threat of tornadoes and larger hail, however, will most likely stay north of the Kansas City metro area, she said. The timing for the greatest storm activity is expected between 3 and 6 p.m., mainly north of Interstate 70.
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The Star produced this weather update in partnership with the local FOX4 television station. The station’s meteorologists create forecast videos multiple times a day for the newspaper to include in its weather reports.
The National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill said widespread storms, some that could be strong, are possible until late morning. Strong winds up to 55 mph and hail up to the size of quarters are possible.
There will be a break from the storms before they start firing back up around 3 p.m.
Areas along and north of U.S. 36 in the St. Joseph area could see hail the size of golf balls and winds up to 65 mph. A tornado or two is possible, according to the weather service’s situation report.
South of U.S. 36, it’ll be harder for severe storms to develop, but if one does, 1-inch-sized hail and 60 mph winds are possible as well as a brief tornado, according to the weather service.
Subfreezing temperatures are likely for Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 7:23 AM.
