Rain storms are likely in Kansas City area. Here’s how to plan your weekend around them
A stormy weekend with widespread rain showers and thunderstorms will be likely in the Kansas City area, but don’t go making wholesale changes to your plans.
Between one to two inches of rain is expected — some areas could see even higher rainfall totals, according to the National Weather Service.
The much-needed precipitation will be a welcomed sight for parched, drought-stricken areas. About 74% of the Kansas City forecast area is experiencing moderate or worse drought conditions.
The forecast area, which covers much of northern and western Missouri and extreme northeast Kansas, is feeling short and long-term impacts from drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
But before the official start of the weekend, dry conditions are expected Friday. Temperatures will be in the low to mid-80s, which is near normal for this time of year, according to the weather service.
Overnight, the storms will start developing with a few rain showers popping up early Saturday. Widely scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible during the day, but most areas should remain dry, according to the weather service.
The better chances for storms arrive Saturday night and continue into the first half of Sunday in advance of a cold front that is expected to push through the area.
While no widespread severe weather is expected, there could be some isolated localized flooding that see higher rainfall totals.
Temperatures are expected in the low 80s on Saturday. That is normal for this time of year in Kansas City, which typically sees temperatures reach 83 on that date. Cooler conditions are expected on Sunday and Monday with temperatures reaching into the mid-70s.
Smoke from the Canadian wildfires is still affecting Kansas City’s air quality. As of 7 a.m. Friday, the area’s air quality was yellow or moderate with the primary pollution being tiny particles or droplets in the air which causes skies to appear hazy when the particles are elevated, according to AirNow.gov.
“If you are unusually sensitive to particle pollution, consider reducing your activity level or shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors,” AirNow.gov said.
The Mid-America Regional Council’s SkyCast forecast for Friday is yellow, with ground-level ozone being the primary pollutant.
This story was originally published June 9, 2023 at 7:43 AM.
