Widespread showers, thunderstorms, some that may be severe, to move into Kansas City
Widespread showers and thunderstorms, some that may be strong to severe, are expected to bring gusty winds, large hail and heavy rains to parts of Kansas City Monday afternoon, according to FOX4 meteorologist Karli Ritter.
A line of storms are expected to blow through the Kansas City area around or just after the lunch hour, said Ritter, who provides weather updates to The Star.
“That line is the one we are going to be watching for the potential for some strong winds, some larger hail and a lot of rain,” Ritter said. “We will continue to keep a mention of rain in our forecast, more scattered in nature, as we approach the evening.”
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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’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Kansas City region, including Cass, Clay, Platte, Jackson and Ray counties in Missouri and Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas.
The watch is in effect until 3 p.m..
The National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill said thunderstorms are expected to develop across eastern Kansas Monday morning and spread eastward across the Kansas City region.
Hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter will be possible in the strongest storms as well as wind gusts up to 60 mph, the weather service said. Heavy rainfall may lead to localized flooding. The tornado risk will remain south of the Kansas City in southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri.
In its guidance for temporary outdoor structures, including tents used for medical purposes, the weather service advised that there will be frequent lightning along with the large hail and gusty winds.
“Assume all tents are transparent with respect to lightning,” the weather service said. “That means they offer no protection from lightning and should be evacuated in advance of, during, and 30 minutes after thunderstorms.”
People also should check the wind rating on their tents and make sure they are anchored and set up according to manufacturer recommendations, the weather service advised.
Sunshine will be main word in the forecast for the next couple of days, with highs climbing to around 70 on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The chance for rain, however, returns Thursday and Friday, Ritter. said.
This story was originally published May 4, 2020 at 8:19 AM.
