Severe thunderstorms threaten KC with hail, damaging wind, tornadoes. What to know
Severe thunderstorms are forecast in the Kansas City area Friday, with the potential to bring damaging wind gusts, severe hail and a couple tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service.
The severe thunderstorms are forecast to develop just east of the Kansas-Missouri border Friday afternoon, and move quickly through central and northeast Missouri by early evening, the forecast shows.
The fast-moving storms, around 60 miles per hour, can quickly change weather conditions, meteorologists said in a Thursday morning forecast discussion.
Showers and thunderstorms are most likely between 1-7 p.m. Friday, the forecast shows. Winds could gust as high as 50 miles per hour, the weather service said.
The chance of precipitation Friday is around 40%, but higher amounts of rainfall are likely during the thunderstorms, the weather service predicts.
In its forecast discussion, the National Weather Service in Kansas City said wind gusts will create ripe conditions for fire weather in addition to the storms.
High wind advisories and fire weather watches have been issued due to expected damaging winds which could cause rapid fire spread.
Extremely dry air behind the weather system raises fire weather concerns particularly south of Interstate 70 and west of U.S. Highway 65, the weather service advised.
Because of the conditions, burning is highly discouraged, the weather service said on X.
Weekend brings cooler temperatures in Kansas City
The storm system is expected to pass by late Friday night. Colder temperatures will follow, the weather service predicts.
On Saturday, the high will be near 56 degrees. The low Saturday night could creep down to 35 degrees.
Sunday is also a cooler day, according to the forecast, with a high near 56 degrees.
Then Monday, a warming trend returns with temperatures forecast in the mid-70s.
More rain is possible by the middle of next week, the forecast shows.
