Strong thunderstorms rapidly push toward KC. Lightning, strong winds main threat
A complex of strong thunderstorms is rapidly approaching the Kansas City area, bringing strong wind gusts and frequent lightning, the National Weather Service said Wednesday morning.
The storms pushed south from Nebraska and Iowa into Missouri and are expected to roll into the metro area between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., possibly lingering a bit longer.
Isolated wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph were possible, along with frequent lightning. A gust of up to 60 mph cannot be ruled out.
The weather service issued a special weather statement about 10:30 a.m., saying that the intense storms will impact Leavenworth, Atchison, Buchanan, Daviess, Clinton, Clay, Ray, Caldwell, Platte and Livingston counties.
“Doppler radar was tracking a gust front along a line extending from near Gallatin to near Gower to 6 miles northwest of Easton,” the weather service said. “Movement was southeast at 35 mph.”
Wind gusts were up to 50 mph, the weather service said.
“Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects,” the weather service said.
Areas included in the special weather statement include Leavenworth, Lansing, Cameron, Smithville, Kearney, Platte City, Lawson, Plattsburg, Lathrop, Hamilton, Weston, Gower, Kansas City International Airport, Braymer, Trimble, Polo, Edgerton, Dearborn, Camden Point ,and Ferrelview.
“If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building,” the weather service said.
