Tornadoes, large hail possible as Kansas City faces season’s first severe weather
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- Dense fog advisory until 7 a.m.; visibility may drop to 1/4 mile or less.
- Two waves: late afternoon–evening and late night into early Saturday; severe risks.
- Enhanced risk; hail over 2 in, winds 75+ mph, isolated flooding possible.
A powerful storm system could unleash large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes on the Kansas City area Friday, but forecasters say the volatile setup may still turn into a “boom or bust” event.
Those headed out the door for their morning commute and errands Thursday will likely run into dense fog that has settled over much of the Kansas City region, dropping visibility to a quarter mile or less, according to the National Weather Service.
The weather service has issued a dense fog advisory until 7 a.m., warning that the thick fog could make driving hazardous. Conditions should steadily improve through the morning, with the fog expected to lift by midday, the weather service said.
Temperatures are expected to climb to around 65 degrees in the afternoon, above the average of 51 degrees typical for early March.
Isolated large hail, heavy downpours possible
The first of what will be multiple rounds of thunderstorms returns overnight into Friday morning, the weather service said. Some of the storms have the potential to be strong, mainly in far northwest Missouri, with gusty winds, heavy rains and isolated large hail possible, the weather service said.
The first round is expected to take place between 10 p.m. Thursday and 3 a.m. Friday, primarily in northwest Missouri into far northern Missouri, the weather service said.
A second round of storms is expected between 5 and 9 a.m. Friday. While storms will be possible in the area while, they will primarily be south of Interstate 70. The weather service said there could be additional isolated storms outside of this time period.
“Round 2 storms will likely be weakening as they approach; therefore, there is uncertainty if they will make it into the area,” the weather service said.
Severe thunderstorms expected Friday afternoon, overnight
“Higher chances for strong to severe storms are expected starting Friday late afternoon and evening into the overnight,” the weather service said. “All severe hazards are possible, including damaging winds, large hail, tornadoes, and heavy rainfall.”
Forecasters say how intense the storms become remains a potential “boom or bust” scenario, depending on how much morning storm activity and cloud cover limit daytime heating.
By Friday afternoon, temperatures are expected to jump into the 70s, with strong south winds, creating warm, humid air that can fuel severe storms, the weather service said.
Storms likely in two rounds
Storms are expected to first develop as scattered cells and then grow into a more organized line along a cold front moving through the region Friday evening and overnight, the weather service said.
The weather service said there will be two waves of strong to severe storms: one most likely in the late afternoon to early evening, roughly between 4 and 9 p.m., and another later in the night into early Saturday, roughly between 11 p.m. Friday and 3 a.m.
The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center has placed parts of Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri, including Kansas City, at an enhanced risk of severe weather, the third level of its five risk categories.
The strongest storms will have the potential for hail larger than 2 inches, winds over 75 mph and strong tornadoes.
“Storms are expected to persist through the overnight hours,” the Storm Prediction Center said. “Approaching severe weather will be difficult to see. It is important to have multiple ways to be notified of severe weather warnings.”
Isolated flooding possible from heavy rain
The chance that rain from the storms will exceed 1 inch is around 40% to 60% for much of the area. There is a chance of isolated flooding in flood-prone or poorly drained areas. Widespread flooding is not expected, according to the weather service.
On Saturday, temperatures will be cooler, reaching only the mid-50s. Temperatures rebound to the mid-60s on Sunday and near 80 degrees on Monday.
Dry weather will also prevail, with the next notable rain chance of rain expected on Tuesday. There is an early indication that more severe weather may be on the way.
This story was originally published March 5, 2026 at 8:03 AM.
