Severe storms, isolated tornadoes possible across the KC metro. When could they hit?
Scattered showers and storms are making their way into the Kansas City metro Thursday morning as the National Weather Service monitors stronger storms later in the day.
The morning storms will not be severe, but are expected to produce scattered showers across eastern Kansas and Western Missouri, the weather service said on X.
Another round of thunderstorms, though, is expected Thursday night. These storms will be capable of more severe conditions. Quarter-sized hail, strong winds up to 60 miles per hour and an isolated tornado are possible, the NWS said.
Thursday night’s storms are forecast mainly before 10 p.m. In the Kansas City metro, storms are most likely from 6-8 p.m.
Conditions are ripe for the storms amid unseasonably hot and humid weather this week, NWS said in its forecast discussion. Heat and humidity can lead to an unstable atmosphere across the Kansas City forecast area.
Temperatures will be in the low-to-mid 90s on Thursday and Friday, then Saturday the high is expected to drop into the mid-80s.
Kansas City typically sees temperatures around 78-degrees this time of year, according to the NWS.
The weather service’s Storm Prediction Center has marked much of the metro under a marginal risk for severe weather Thursday.
Cold front could bring much-needed rain to KC
The storms come as Kansas City is experiencing drought conditions. This month has been one of the metro’s driest September on record.
Most of the forecast area will see more than one inch of rain, the NWS predicts. Through the weekend, the weather service said there is a chance of widespread rain up to three inches.
Because of recent drought conditions, flooding is not expected, the NWS said.
Friday’s high is expected to be around 92 degrees. Friday night there’s a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 a.m.
Showers are likely Saturday and Sunday, too, with an 80% chance of precipitation Saturday night into Sunday.
“If these rain totals come to fruition, it will help greatly with the worsening drought conditions across the area,” the weather service said earlier this week.
The Star’s Bob Cronkleton contributed to this report.
