Severe thunderstorms, along with flash flooding, possible in Kansas City area
Strong to severe thunderstorms, capable of producing damaging winds and flash flooding, are expected to sweep through the Kansas City metro area Monday afternoon and evening, according to FOX4 meteorologist Karli Ritter.
“Later on today we are going to stay weather aware,” said Ritter, who provides weather updates to The Star. “We have a chance for rain. We also have a chance for thunderstorms and some of these storms, especially during or just after the lunch hour, could be on the strong to severe side as we heat up into the mid-80s.”
The forecasted high temperature will fuel the thunderstorms as a cold front approaches the area, Ritter said.
“Our biggest concern is going to be with damaging winds and also the flash flooding potential,” Ritter said. “The other threats are a little bit lower with this go around.”
Off-and-on storms will continue into the evening and overnight, Ritter said.
“Not everybody is going to see severe weather with this event,” Ritter said.
Drier conditions are expected to settle in the Kansas City area Tuesday afternoon.
“We have a very busy week of weather ahead of us,” Ritter said. “We have mid- and upper 80s as highs and rain chances off and on in the forecast all the way through Friday.”
The National Weather Service in Kansas City said that while multiple rounds of thunderstorms are possible throughout the work week, the potential for severe weather is low beyond Monday.
The storms on Monday could produce rainfall of 1 to 2 inches an hour in the heaviest storms. With recent heavy rains, the ground hasn’t had a chance to dry out, which could enhance the flash flood threat, the weather service said.
BEHIND THE STORY
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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.
This story was originally published August 10, 2020 at 8:22 AM.
