Category: Weather

Severe thunderstorms possible today

 

Large hail threat (National Weather Service graphic)
Damaging wind threat (National Weather Service graphic)
Tornado threat (National Weather Service graphic)

 

Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop along a cold front this afternoon in the region.

According to the National Weather Service, the storms will begin just west of I-=35 and grow more organized as they push east of the Kansas City area.

Large hail and damaging winds are the primary threats of the storm, the weather service said.

If clouds clear out more than expected, the atmosphere will become unstable and the severe threat may be higher.

Timing of the storm may change, but the latest data suggests that storms will develop earlier in the afternoon in the Kansas City area.

A strong front will race through the area and move into central Missouri by the evening hours.

There is a slight risk of large hail, a slight risk of damaging winds and a minimal risk of tornadoes with this storm.

The chance of thunderstorms today is 30 percent in Wyandotte County.

Temperatures at 8 a.m. Thursday were 55 degrees. The temperature may rise to 67.

Winds today will be 22 mph to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph.

Timeline of storm: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (National Weather Service graphic)
Timeline of storm: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (National Weather Service graphic)

 

Timeline of storm: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (National Weather Service graphic)

 

Red flag warning, wind advisory in effect for Wednesday

Wednesday’s forecast includes a red flag warning and a wind advisory for Wyandotte County. (National Weather Service graphic)

A red flag warning and a wind advisory will be in effect Wednesday in Wyandotte County.

The red flag warning will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., while the wind advisory is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Today’s forecast calls for a 30 percent chance of showers after 5 p.m., the weather service said.

Most of the day will be mostly sunny, with a high near 59.

Tie down any loose objects outdoors today. Windy weather will see a south wind of 14 to 19 mph increasing to 23 to 28 mph in the afternoon, and winds could gust as high as 39 mph, according to the weather service forecast.

Wednesday afternoon relative humidity values (National Weather Service graphic)

Relative humidity values today will fall to 20 to 30 percent, which will create a high fire danger, given the strong winds.

On Thursday, a cold front will move into the area, bringing a threat for thunderstorms, the weather service predicted.

Before Thursday, scattered thunderstorms will move through the area late Wednesday. Strong storms are not expected on Wednesday at this time.

Severe thunderstorm risk Thursday (National Weather Service graphic)

By Thursday afternoon, a line of strong to severe thunderstorms is expected to develop just west of the I-35 corridor and spread into central Missouri through the evening, the weather service said.

Depending on the degree of instability, a few of these initial storms could be super cells for a brief time near the I-35 corridor with large hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes.

Storms will then develop into a line moving toward central Missouri with large hail and isolated damaging winds the primary threats, the weather service said.

Cool, sunny weather in today’s forecast

Sunny skies and cool weather are in store for Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures were 28 degrees at 8 a.m., and are expected to reach a high of 41 today.

Winds will be 11 to 16 mph, gusting to 24 mph. Wednesday will be windier, with a south wind from 13 to 18 mph increasing to 23 to 28 mph in the afternoon. Winds may gust as high as 39 mph Wednesday.

Showers are likely late Wednesday night. There is a 60 percent change of precipitation.

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms is forecast for Thursday, with more windy weather.

Friday, there will be a 20 percent chance of showers with a high near 50.

Saturday’s weather will be sunny with a high near 64, and Sunday’s forecast is sunny with a high near 75.