Severe weather likely as thunderstorms sweep across KC; a tornado can’t be ruled out
Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to sweep across the Kansas City area Thursday afternoon, bringing the chance of drenching rains, damaging winds and large hail, according to FOX4 meteorologist Karli Ritter.
A tornado or two can’t be ruled out.
“Later on today we need to stay weather aware as we have another round of showers and storms in our forecast,” said Ritter, who provides weather updates to The Star.
“For those of you heading out and about this afternoon and this evening, you’ll need to pay close attention to the radar because we are expecting showers and storms to blossom and expand in coverage after 3 and 4 o’clock and it continues through 6, 7 and 8 o’clock at night.”
Another line of storms is expected to form overnight, but by that point the severe weather threat is expected to be decreasing, Ritter said.
The biggest threat from the storms is damaging winds over 60 mph, hail larger than 1 inch in diameter and flash flooding caused by the heavy rains, she said.
“We cannot rule out a quick spin up,” Ritter said about the threat of tornadoes.
Things get quieter this weekend as highs climb into the 70s. Highs in the 80s expected next week.
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.
This story was originally published May 14, 2020 at 7:41 AM.
