Could scattered rain, thunderstorms dampen Kansas City Royals’ opening day activities?
Fans headed to Kauffman Stadium for the Kansas City Royals’ opening day baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians will want to keep an eye on the weather.
Rain is expected in the Kansas City area Thursday and could dampen the festivities surrounding the Royals’ home opener.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue through the morning, according to the National Weather Service. Some of the storms north of the metro could be strong to severe, but the overall threat for severe weather is low.
By the time of the first pitch at 3 p.m., there is a slight chance of rain and thunderstorms, according to the weather service.
It will be warm, though, as temperatures will be in the low 80s, which is well above average. Kansas City typically experiences a temperature of around 60 degrees at this time of year.
Severe weather threat increases in the evening
A warm front is expected to lift northward as additional moisture streams into the area, according to the weather service.
“This evening and overnight, additional and stronger storms are likely to develop over northeastern KS into northern MO, in the vicinity of the warm front,” the weather service said. The best chance for severe weather will be with the evening’s round of storms.
The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center has placed parts of northeast Kansas and northern Missouri at a slight risk of severe weather.
Large hail will be the main risk with the storms. There is also a potential for damaging winds. The weather service said the tornado risk appears to be more limited.
Weekend rain in Kansas City’s forecast
Dry and sunny weather returns Friday as temperatures continue their warmer-than-usual run. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid- to upper 70s on Friday and Saturday.
There is a slight chance of a drizzle or light rain Saturday afternoon, but “it’s quite possible the area stays dry,” the weather service said.
Showers and thunderstorms, however, become more likely overnight and into Sunday morning.
As the front moves through the area during the morning, temperatures will be significantly cooler. In the metro, temperatures will be around 58 degrees. Meanwhile, areas to the north may not reach 50 degrees, while areas to the southeast may climb into the mid-60s.
“Naturally, any fluctuation in timing of the front will have profound influences in the forecast, ranging from cooler/warmer temperatures to the potential for severe weather,” the weather service said. “A slower front will bring the risk for severe storms further west and north. A faster front continues to shift the risk further east into southern to eastern Missouri.”
The Storm Prediction Center says areas to the south and east of the immediate metro area are at a 15-29% risk of severe weather on Sunday.
This story was originally published March 27, 2025 at 8:11 AM.
