Damaging storms possible this evening

Scattered thunderstorms will track from eastern Kansas into central Missouri this morning, according to the National Weather Service. Locally heavy rain is possible with these morning storms.

A line of strong to severe thunderstorms is expected to develop across central and eastern Kansas this afternoon and track into far eastern Kansas and western Missouri this evening, according to the weather service.

This line may include supercells and bow echoes capable of producing very large hail, strong winds to 70 mph and a few tornadoes, the weather service said. The highest tornado threat will be across the enhanced risk area near and shortly before sunset.

Wyandotte County and Greater Kansas City area in a “slight risk” area from 7 p.m. to midnight, according to the weather service. The main danger will be 65 mph winds, hail and a slight risk of isolated tornadoes, the weather service said. The flood threat may increase in this area.

Topeka, Kan., and St. Joseph, Mo., are in an “enhanced risk” area from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., where the danger will include golf-ball sized hail and tornadoes.

Storms are expected to slowly weaken as they approach eastern portions of the slight risk area later in the evening, according to the weather service.

Today, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 79, the weather service said. A south wind of 7 to 14 mph will gust as high as 24 mph. Between a quarter and a half-inch of rain is possible.

Tonight, there is an 80 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight, according to the weather service. The low will be around 48. A south wind of 8 to 11 mph will become north northwest after midnight. Winds may gust as high as 25 mph. Between a half and three-quarters of an inch of new rainfall is possible.

Friday, it will be partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 63, the weather service said. A north wind of 8 to 10 mph is possible.

Friday night, it will be clear with a low of 43, the weather service said. A north wind of 5 mph will become calm in the evening.

Saturday, the forecast is sunny with a high near 69, according to the weather service. A calm wind will become south around 6 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday night, it will be mostly clear with a low of 46, the weather service said.

For more weather information, visit www.weather.gov or http://www.weather.gov/eax/dss.

The slight risk for the Kansas City area between 7 p.m. and midnight today. (National Weather Service graphic)
The slight risk for the Kansas City area between 7 p.m. and midnight today. (National Weather Service graphic)

Wyandotte County in path of storm

The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement for Wyandotte County, as well as southeastern Leavenworth, Johnson and west central Jackson counties, until 12:30 a.m.

At 11:54 a.m., Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Gardner, moving northeast at 35 mph.

Dime-size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm, the weather service said.

Edwardsville, Bonner Springs and Kansas City, Kan., are in the path of the storm, along with several other cities, according to the weather service.

For more weather information, visit www.weather.gov.

Lane and ramp closures planned on I-35 tonight

Northbound and southbound I-35 from 75th Street to Southwest Boulevard will have lane and ramp closures beginning at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, to 5 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Crews will be working on full and partial depth pavement patching work, weather permitting, according to KDOT.

The work area includes parts of I-35 in Johnson County and a small area in Wyandotte County.

Traffic will be directed through the project work zone through advance message boards, signs, barricades and cones.

On southbound I-35, the left two lanes from Southwest Boulevard to Lamar Avenue will be closed, with one through lane open, according to KDOT.

On northbound I-35, the left two lanes from Lamar Avenue to Southwest Boulevard will be closed, with one through lane open, KDOT stated.

The same ramp and lane closures, weather-permitting, are also scheduled:

• 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, to 5 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 7.

• 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, to 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8.

• 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 to 12 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9.

Updated daily traffic information for this bridge repair project and for the Kansas City metro area can be viewed at www.ksdot.org/kcmetro/laneclose.asp.