Friday’s severe weather threat could be the week’s worst: What’s lining up in KC
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- NWS says Friday has the highest chance for severe weather this week.
- Primary threats Friday include large hail, damaging winds, and a few possible tornadoes.
- Storm Prediction Center places most of Kansas City under an Enhanced Risk, Level 3.
After widespread strong to severe thunderstorms swept through the area Wednesday, bringing hail up to 4 inches in diameter in Miami County and spawning a tornado in Clinton, the Kansas City area should see a much quieter day on Thursday.
But it will just be the calm before the storm. The National Weather Service says Friday has the highest chance for severe weather of any event this week, with storms possible from mid-afternoon into the evening. The biggest threats are large hail and damaging winds, though a few tornadoes are also possible.
Expect quiet, mostly sunny skies on Thursday, with light southerly winds. Temperatures will continue to be unseasonally warm, climbing into the lower 80s, well above the daily average of 66 degrees that is typical for mid-April.
“One more round of storms moves through Friday, and it may very well end up being the most widespread and most potent of recent events,” the weather service said.
The timing could be similar to Wednesday, with storms developing from early to midafternoon and continuing into the evening. Forecasters said all hazards are on the table — especially large hail and damaging winds — with a few tornadoes also possible.
Cold front expected to trigger thunderstorms
A cold front sweeping in from the northwest Friday afternoon is expected to trigger thunderstorms.
A few powerful rotating thunderstorms, known as supercells, could form ahead of the front. If they develop, they’ll be the storms most likely to produce tornadoes and the largest hail, the weather service said.
At the same time, storms are expected to increase along the cold front and could grow into clusters or a line of storms. That type of system can still spin up brief tornadoes, but the bigger concern is widespread damaging winds.
The Storm Prediction Center, part of the National Weather Service, has placed most of the Kansas City area under an Enhanced Risk of severe weather, Level 3 of 5.
Wind gust 78-85 mph is worst-case
Because storms may move faster than 45 mph, the weather could change quickly on Friday.
Kansas City has a 45% to 59% chance of both damaging winds gusts over 58 mph, and a 30% to 44% chance of severe hail 1 inch or larger and a 5-9% chance of a tornado within 25 miles of a point, according to the weather service.
Forecasters say the “reasonable” worst-case impacts would be 75-85 mph winds, 2 to 3.5-inch hail, and a tornado potential up to EF3, according to the weather service.
After the storms push through, quieter and cooler weather is expected for the weekend, with temperatures around 57 degrees on Saturday and 69 degrees on Sunday.
“Any notable precipitation chances then look to hold off until at least mid-week if not end of next week,” the weather service said.
