Heat builds, then storms could explode. When KC’s storms may turn dangerous
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- National Weather Service warns Kansas City area faces large hail and damaging winds.
- The Storm Prediction Center placed much of the Kansas City area at enhanced risk.
- Another round of storms is likely Thursday afternoon and early evening with hail and.
Dangerous storms could hit the Kansas City area Wednesday and Thursday, with large hail and damaging winds the main threats, and a few tornadoes possible, according to the National Weather Service.
A round of thunderstorms clipped the northern communities in the metro, bringing booming thunder and rain during the morning rush hour. Severe weather was not expected with that round.
After the storms move out, it will be another sizzling day for the metro. Southwest winds with gusts around 25 to 35 mph will bring little relief from the overall humid conditions.
Temperatures are expected to climb to around 90 degrees in the afternoon, with dew points, a measure of how much moisture is in the air, reaching the mid- to upper 70s. Heat index values could approach 100 to 105 degrees, just shy of the weather service’s heat advisory criteria.
The main concern on Wednesday will be a cold front that is expected to sink south into northern Missouri and northeast Kansas in the afternoon, the weather service said.
The front is expected to mix with hot, very moist air, and any capping should break by mid-afternoon, allowing scattered to numerous thunderstorms to develop along and just ahead of the front over northern Missouri and northeast Kansas.
The storms will have the potential to produce damaging winds and large hail.
“Very large hail is possible if storms can remain somewhat discrete,” the weather service said. Given the moisture-laden air that is in place, heavy rainfall is also a concern.
The strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to move into the area in the afternoon and evening.
The Storm Prediction Center, part of the National Weather Service, has placed a large part of the Kansas City forecast area under an enhanced risk (Level 3 of 5) of severe weather. Area communities included in that level of risk are Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka, Olathe, Atchison, and St. Joseph.
Other surrounding areas are under a slight risk (Level 2 of 5).
Another round of potentially dangerous storms is likely Thursday afternoon and early evening. Large hail, damaging winds and a couple of tornadoes are possible. Heavy downpours will also be possible.
The Storm Prediction Center has placed the Kansas City area under a slight risk (Level 2 of 5) of severe weather.
The storm activity should exit to the southeast by Thursday evening, the weather service said.
Much cooler and drier air will move into the area on Friday, but the break may be short-lived. Temperatures are expected to be around 84 degrees.
More rain and storms are expected on Saturday, as dew points return to the 70s. Temperatures are expected to reach around 88 degrees, with heat index values climbing to the mid-90s, according to the weather service.
Heavy rain is possible, which could lead to flash flooding, especially if thunderstorms repeatedly pass over the same locations.
Cooler air will return for the rest of the weekend and into early next week, with low chances for showers and thunderstorms, the weather service said.
