Rain, thunderstorms threaten Kansas City area with slight severe weather risk
Parts of the Kansas City area could see temperatures climb as high as 70 degrees Thursday afternoon before rain and thunderstorms move in, said FOX4 meteorologist Karli Ritter.
“Later on today we are anticipating our temperatures to climb into the lower 60s,” said Ritter, who provides weather updates to The Star. “The north side of our viewing area will be significantly colder to the south side.”
The south side of the metro could reach near 70 degrees, which could also lead to some thunderstorms later this afternoon and evening, she said.
“Our better chances for rain, and storms for that matter, will arrive tomorrow, specifically later in the day tomorrow,” Ritter said. “We will have a slight risk of severe weather on the south side today and tomorrow, so we certainly are watching things very closely for late this evening and late tomorrow evening.”
Highs are expected to be in the 60s this weekend, with sunny skies for Sunday. While there will be a slight cool down toward the middle and end of next week, there will be “a taste of spring for at least the next five days,” Ritter said.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHow we did this story
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.
Severe weather possible
The National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill said that while there’s a chance for severe weather Thursday night, areas to the south of Kansas City are at the greatest risk. The main threat from the storms overnight Thursday into Friday morning is isolated to scattered large hail.
Strong to severe storms are also possible again on Friday evening. The main threat from the strongest storms will be large hail and damaging winds. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. The areas at greatest risk are southwest of the Kansas City metro, according to the weather service.
This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 7:32 AM.
