Severe weather risk up for KC, lime-sized hail in forecast. Here’s the timeline
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- Severe storms may bring 2-inch hail and 60 mph winds to Kansas City Wednesday.
- Cold front and wind shear could boost storm intensity Wednesday evening.
- Wildfire smoke may lower air quality and suppress warming across the region Thursday.
The risk of severe weather in Kansas City on Wednesday is rising, and forecasters warn that hail as large as limes could pummel the area as storms sweep through in the afternoon and evening.
These storms could be severe, and Kansas City is now under a slight risk of severe weather — the second-lowest of the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center’s five severe weather risk categories. On Tuesday, the metro was only under a marginal risk.
The main threats are large hail up to 2 inches in diameter and damaging winds up to 60 mph. The risk of tornadoes has shifted westward, away from the metro area.
How storms could unfold
A strong, fast-moving cold front over northern Iowa is expected to drop south into northern Missouri by midday, the National Weather Service said in its forecast discussion.
Some isolated, non-severe showers and thunderstorms could develop along the front, but that depends on how much moisture is in the area, the weather service said.
Before the front reaches the metro, temperatures will climb into the mid-80s, which is typical for this time of year.
As the front nears Kansas City in the afternoon, the atmosphere will become more unstable, helping storms develop quickly, the weather service said. Additionally, wind shear, which is a change in wind speed and direction over a short distance, will increase, potentially making the storms even more hazardous.
Moisture being drawn north from eastern Oklahoma will help fuel the severe storms, the weather service said.
After the main cold front passes, there may still be enough moisture left in the atmosphere to support new storms. Because the wind shear is expected to be even stronger in the evening, any storms that form behind the front could make even bigger hail than the earlier storms.
“The threat for severe storms is expected to wind down towards sunset,” the weather service said.
The cold front is expected to continue to push to the south, allowing breezy, north winds to gradually decrease overnight.
Wildfire smoke filters into Kansas City area
The northerly winds are expected to draw wildfire smoke into the region on Thursday, which may reduce air quality and could cause unhealthy conditions for some individuals, the weather service said.
Temperatures are expected to be significantly cooler, around 77 degrees. The smoke may inhibit daytime warming, keeping temperatures a bit cooler than forecast.
The well below normal temperatures are expected to continue through much of the rest of the week. Morning temperatures in the 40s are likely on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
A secondary cold front is expected to move through the region early Friday, which could bring some thunderstorms along and behind the front. The storms are not expected to be severe.
The weather service’s forecast suggests there will be off-and-on chances for showers and storms over the weekend and into next week. But any rain that falls will not be a washout or continuous.
This story was originally published September 3, 2025 at 8:23 AM.
