Scattered thunderstorms may form over eastern Kansas and western Missouri early Tuesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
Given increasing instability across the region, these storms could quickly become severe, with large hail and damaging winds. Forecasters are not yet sure about the severe weather, however.
Thunderstorms are expected to develop over northern Kansas by mid-afternoon Tuesday. One National Weather Service map shows the Kansas City area under a slight risk for thunderstorms. The storms could move to the east and southeast. They have the potential to produce widespread wind damage, along with heavy rain and a few tornadoes.
The areas most likely to see these storms are to the north of U.S. Highway 36 (around St. Joseph, Mo.). However, there is a chance these storms could spread further south toward I-70 where the environment also will be favorable for severe storms and heavy rainfall, according to the weather service.
The primary risks early in the event will be very large hail, localized damaging winds, and even a few tornadoes. As the evening progresses, the damaging wind and flash flooding risk will increase greatly, the weather service said.
Heavy rainfall is expected to fall across far northern Missouri and southern Iowa, leading to areas of flash flooding across far northern Missouri Tuesday night, followed by minor river flooding later in the week.
Several rounds of thunderstorms are possible Thursday into the weekend, the weather service said. These could be strong to severe and may produce heavy rainfall, especially Friday and Saturday afternoon and night. The potential for multiple rounds of thunderstorms will lead to an elevated flooding risk later this week, according to the weather service.
For updates, visit www.weather.gov.
