Windy, hot day in Kansas City, with severe storms later. When might they start?
Severe weather is expected to hit the Kansas City area Wednesday afternoon and evening, but the winds and heat have already started, according to the National Weather Service.
The Kansas City area is under a wind advisory until early afternoon, the weather service said. Sustained winds between 15 and 25 miles per hour are expected, with gusts up to 50 miles per hour. This could make driving difficult, especially on open roads. The Weather Service advised residents to take caution when driving and secure loose outdoor items.
The wind will blow but won’t help much in cooling people down, as the heat index is expected to approach 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Storm Prediction Center, part of the National Weather Service, has placed most of the Kansas City region under a slight risk (Level 2 of 5) of severe weather for afternoon and evening.
Large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes and pockets of heavy rain are possible. The storms are expected to begin in Jackson County between 1 and 3 p.m., with southern and eastern areas starting later.
While the Kansas City area is at a slight risk of severe weather, it’s not the highest in the region, according to the National Weather Service. Central Illinois and western Indiana have moderate risks of severe weather, including tornadoes and high winds.
The storms are expected to continue in coming days, with severe weather and heavy rain over the weekend.
This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 11:55 AM.
