Wyandotte County is under a high wind warning from 9 a.m. until midnight Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
Winds of 20 to 30 mph could reach gusts as high as 55 mph today, the weather service said.
Damaging winds potentially could blow down trees and power lines, according to the weather service. Widespread power outages are possible. Travel w ill be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles, the weather service said.
Residents are advised to avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches, the weather service said. If possible, remain in the lower levels of their homes during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Those who must drive should use caution, according to the weather service.
The weather service predicts the highest winds from noon to 9 p.m. in the Kansas City area. At noon, wind gusts could reach 49; at 3 p.m., 55; and at 6 p.m., 58 mph, according to the weather service. By 9 p.m., wind gusts should drop to 37 mph.
Showers and thunderstorms are possible this evening, the weather service said. There is a slight risk of severe weather this evening north of I-70, and some storms may produce damaging wind gusts, according to the weather service.
There also are elevated fire weather concerns Wednesday, the weather service said. High winds combined with low relative humidity and dry fuels will result in a higher risk of fire danger. Burning is discouraged, according to the weather service.
Today, there is a 50 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms after 5 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 73. It will be windy, with a south wind of 20 to 30 mph, gusting up to 55 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is in the forecast.
Tonight, there is a 50 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms before 7 p.m. It will be mostly cloudy in the early evening, then gradually clearing, with a low of 36, according to the weather service. It will be windy, with a south southwest wind of 23 to 33 mph becoming west northwest 7 to 12 mph. Winds may gust up to 60 mph. Less than an inch of precipitation is possible.
Thursday, it will be sunny, with a high near 50, the weather service said. A west northwest wind of 6 mph will become calm in the afternoon.
Thursday night, it will be mostly clear with a low of 34, according to the weather service. A calm wind will become east around 6 mph in the evening.
Friday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 53, the weather service said. An east wind around 6 mph will become north northwest in the afternoon. Winds may gust as high as 18 mph.
Friday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 26, according to the weather service.
Saturday, it will be sunny, with a high near 37, the weather service said.
Saturday night, it will be clear, with a low of 21, according to the weather service.
Sunday, it will be sunny, with a high near 46, the weather service said.
Sunday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 31, according to the weather service.
Monday, it will be sunny, with a high near 50, the weather service said.
Monday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 27, according to the weather service.
Tuesday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 47, the weather service said.
For more weather information, visit www.weather.gov.