Stormy week ahead for Kansas City: Which day has biggest severe weather threat?
Multiple rounds of rainstorms will sweep through the Kansas City area this week, and the National Weather Service says some stronger storms could bring heavy rain, flooding, large hail and damaging winds.
On Tuesday, off-and-on showers and thunderstorms will continue across the area, with a few storms south of Interstate 70 capable of small hail as temperatures climb into the upper 40s, which is just a couple degrees below normal for this time of year.
A few strong to severe storms may develop Tuesday afternoon and evening, mainly along and south of Interstate 70, with hail the main threat and some gusty winds possible. Intermittent periods of heavy rain are possible.
The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center has placed the southern half of the Kansas City forecast area under a marginal risk for severe weather, the lowest of its five risk categories.
More storms, with a brief break
For the rest of the week, waves of rain and thunderstorms are expected, with a few opportunities for strong to severe storms. The most likely severe weather is on Friday afternoon and evening.
Showers and thunderstorms will be very likely throughout the day on Wednesday across southern and southeastern parts of the area. Some sunshine and warmer temperatures will return Thursday, which will be the quietest day of the week before another round of showers and thunderstorms returns Thursday night into Friday, the Weather Service said.
A large batch of thunderstorms might move through late Thursday into early Friday bringing widespread heavy rain.
Heavy rain, damaging winds and hail possible
The Storm Prediction Center has placed parts of the region area under a marginal risk of severe weather, with heavy rain, damaging winds and hail being the primary threats.
By Friday afternoon, a strong cold front is expected to push through, bringing an additional round of storms. Depending on how the morning storms play out, strong to severe thunderstorms may redevelop.
The main threats will be heavy rain, damaging winds and hail, although an isolated tornado is possible, the weather service said.
“Of course, any long-term forecast is dependent on the events leading up to it; therefore, much can change between what we forecast today vs midweek,” the weather service said.
The multiple rounds of showers and storms this week could bring between 1 and 3 inches of rain. Excess rainfall is possible across central and southern Missouri, which could lead to localized flash and river flooding.
