Severe weather, extreme heat expected in Kansas City. Could storms produce tornadoes?
A mixed bag of weather is expected in the Kansas City area Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. A couple rounds of showers and thunderstorms will bookend the return of hot and humid conditions.
Ongoing showers and thunderstorms were moving across northern and central Missouri Wednesday morning, with a few showers in the Kansas City area during the morning rush hour.
The main concern is null. A flood advisory was issued for parts of north-central Missouri, including Daviess, Grundy, Harrison and Livingston counties, where thunderstorms produced heavy rains.
Radar indicated that between one and three inches had fallen, and up to two more inches of rain were expected. Minor flooding was expected.
Hot, humid weather rolls in
The weather service said that between the rounds of storms, Kansas City will experience heat and humidity trying to build back into the area.
“Lingering clouds could muck things up, but it does look like it will be an uncomfortable one for much of the KC Metro and areas” to south and west, the weather service said.
After clouds gradually clear, temperatures are expected to climb into the low 90s in Kansas City. Heat index values may reach around 105 degrees in Kansas City and areas in eastern Kansas and western Missouri.
The weather service has issued a heat advisory that will be in effect at 1 p.m. for Kansas City and portions of east-central and northeast Kansas and west-central Missouri.
“Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses,” the weather service said in the advisory. People are urged to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors.
Second round of storms
Then, an approaching cold front is expected to generate a second round of thunderstorms. The weather service said some storms may be strong to severe, with northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri at the greatest risk of severe weather.
These storms might bring strong winds, hail and heavy rainfall.
“Initial storms could present a brief tornado threat,” the weather service said in its forecast discussion.
The weather service’s Storm Prediction Center has placed the Kansas City area and parts of northwest Missouri, eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa at a slight risk of severe weather. Severe thunderstorms could produce all types of hazards.
St. Joseph and surrounding areas in northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri are at a 5% risk of a tornado, while the Kansas City metro area is at a 2% risk.
Showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue into Thursday, with some producing downpours. Once the storms move out, skies will gradually become sunny. Temperatures will climb into the low 90s, with the heat index value soaring to around 100 degrees.
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Cooler weekend ahead
Relatively cooler weather is expected over the weekend as temperatures return to normal. Typically, Kansas City sees temperatures around 88 degrees this time of year.
Skies are expected to be sunny throughout the weekend, although there is a slight chance for showers and thunderstorms on Friday night.
The seasonable weather is expected to continue next week, with temperatures hovering around 88 degrees.
