Severe thunderstorms could strike Kansas City area twice. Here’s what to know
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- Severe storms may hit Kansas City area twice, bringing wind, hail, tornadoes.
- Moderate to heavy rain of 2–4+ inches could cause flash and river flooding.
- Initial storms clear Thursday; another severe round expected Friday into Saturday.
Strong to severe thunderstorms could slam the Kansas City area twice in the coming days, bringing damaging winds, torrential downpours, and a chance of isolated tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service.
Scattered to widespread showers and thunderstorms rolled across the metro area Wednesday morning, prompting the weather service to issue a flood advisory for portions of northeast Kansas and west-central Missouri, including Leavenworth, Wyandotte, Clay, and Platte counties.
Radar indicated that heavy rain from thunderstorms was falling, which was expected to cause flooding of some urban areas and small streams. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain had fallen, and an additional .5 to 1.5 inches was expected.
Areas where flooding was expected included Kansas City, Leavenworth, Liberty, Gladstone, Lansing, Bonner Springs, Parkville, Tonganoxie, Basehor, North Kansas City, Sugar Creek, Weatherby Lake, Claycomo, Kansas City International Airport, and Pleasant Valley.
“A brief break in shower/storm activity is expected Wednesday morning, although overcast and gloomy conditions will remain through the day,” the weather service said. Temperatures are expected to be around 60 degrees, which is normal for early April.
Strong, rotating thunderstorms could form
The storms are then expected to ramp back up, with another round of showers and storms developing in the afternoon and continuing through Thursday morning.
There is a conditional risk for isolated supercells, strong, rotating thunderstorms, to form late Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning.
“Storms that do manage to develop could produce large hail (2 inches+), damaging winds and perhaps a few tornadoes,” the weather service said. The severe weather threat peaks around sunset and gradually decreases through about midnight.
The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center has placed parts of eastern Kansas and western Missouri, including the Kansas City area, under a slight risk of severe weather, which is Level 2 of 5 on its scale.
Widespread showers and storms are expected late Wednesday, continuing overnight into early Thursday morning. The main concern with these storms is moderate to heavy rainfall that could lead to minor river flooding and flash flooding, the weather service said.
Brief dry spell before next round of severe storms
The storms are expected to exit the Kansas City area Thursday morning, leaving behind dry conditions for the majority of Thursday, with temperatures climbing to the low 70s. But that dry period will be short-lived.
Temperatures will climb to the mid-70s on Friday before another round of storms is expected to move into the area Friday afternoon. Some of these storms could be strong to severe, with all hazards — damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes — being possible.
Northern Missouri, roughly between Interstate 35 and U.S. 36, is under the greatest threat of severe weather. The Storm Prediction Center has placed that area at an enhanced risk of severe weather, which is Level 3 of 5 on its scale. Meanwhile, the Kansas City area is at a slight risk of severe weather.
Areas south of U.S. 50 have an additional chance of moderate to heavy rainfall.
“In general, 2 to 4 inches of rain is likely across the region from tonight (Wednesday night) into Saturday, with isolated locations potentially receiving over 4 inches,” the weather service said. “Flash flooding may be possible, especially on Wednesday night into early Thursday. River flooding may be possible by Friday into Saturday.”
Skies are expected to clear Saturday, setting up for chillier weather and a possible overnight freeze, with temperatures dropping into the low 30s.
Temperatures will reach only the mid- to upper 50s on both Saturday and Sunday.
“Temperatures will return to the 60s by early next week, creating more of a spring-like feel,” the weather service said.
