Severe weather in Kansas City’s forecast. Here’s the timing of the storms
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Severe storms threaten Kansas City Tuesday with hail, wind and flood risks.
- Cold front triggers second storm round mainly south of Interstate 70 corridor.
- High pressure brings rising heat; heat index values may exceed 100 degrees.
A couple of rounds of severe thunderstorms are expected to sweep across portions of the Kansas City area Tuesday, bringing the chance of large hail, damaging winds and heavy rains, according to the National Weather Service.
An isolated tornado also cannot be ruled out, the weather service said.
The first round of storms is likely to develop this afternoon and evening. These storms are being set up by boundaries left over from storms that happened overnight and early Tuesday, the weather service said. Another trigger is a disturbance that is expected to move into northern Missouri from southeastern Nebraska.
A cold front pushing across Kansas is expected to bring the second round of severe storms, the weather service said.
“A large cluster of severe storms is expected to move into the area from Kansas affecting areas south of Interstate 70,” the weather service said.
On the leading edge of the complex, the line of thunderstorms will form a “bow echo” on radar, capable of producing damaging winds mainly south of I-70, the weather service said.
In addition to the damaging wind threat, heavy rainfall may lead to flooding, especially overnight, the weather service said.
The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center has placed western and southern parts of the Kansas City area under an enhanced risk of severe storms, while other parts are under a slight risk. Those are the second and third levels on a five-point scale categorizing the risk of severe storms.
Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-80s, a typical range for this time of year in Kansas City.
Hot temperatures return this week
The cold front is expected to move through the Kansas City forecast area by Wednesday morning, ending the severe weather threat.
Another weather disturbance will pass through, keeping the chance for showers and thunderstorms in the forecast.
“These storms are not expected to be severe and will exit the area Wednesday evening,” the weather service said.
Temperatures will be in the lower 80s.
The weather will be drier and hotter as an area of high pressure builds over the region on Thursday, the Juneteenth holiday. Temperatures will be around 88 degrees.
The hottest weather is expected from Friday through Sunday, with temperatures climbing into the low to mid-90s. The weather service said the heat index values will max out on Friday and Saturday, reaching between 100 and 105 degrees. Sunday will be slightly drier, with heat index values ranging from 96 to 101 degrees.
There is a chance of storms returning on Monday, but temperatures will remain warmer than usual, with readings of around 93 degrees.
The extended forecast suggests that the hot weather might persist into next week, with temperatures leaning above normal through the end of the month.
This story was originally published June 17, 2025 at 7:45 AM.
