Hail, damaging winds, isolated tornadoes possible in KC area. Here’s when
Strong to severe thunderstorms capable of producing large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes will sweep across the Kansas City area Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill, Missouri.
The severe storms are likely to strike between 3 and 7 p.m. Tuesday. The best chance for severe weather is in an area southeast of Kansas City, generally south of U.S. 50, from Butler to Sedalia.
There is a chance for isolated severe weather across the metropolitan area.
The primary threat from the storms will be damaging winds, large hail in excess of 1 inch in diameter and isolated tornadoes. If a supercell thunderstorm develops, rain-wrapped tornadoes could develop quickly, according to the weather service.
The threat of tornadoes comes on the heels of the first tornado reported this year in the Kansas City region. The small tornado tore off part of the Trinity Lutheran Church’s roof and toppled headstones in a nearby cemetery in Paola, Kansas.
Tuesday’s severe weather is part of multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms that are expected to produce heavy rain Tuesday through early Thursday.
Between 3 and 4 inches of rain is expected from these storms the next few days, creating a risk for flash flooding, the weather service said. Some areas could see rainfall totals in excess of 4 inches.
In areas where storms follow the same path, any rain falling on already saturated ground will lead to quick runoff and potential life-threatening conditions.
Thunderstorms will remain in the area Wednesday. The main threats from these storms will be continued heavy rains along with isolated strong winds.
This story was originally published April 30, 2019 at 8:47 AM.
