Rounds of showers, isolated thunderstorms to roll through KC area; large hail main threat
Rain gear and umbrellas will need to be kept close at hand as several rounds of showers and thunderstorms will likely sweep through the Kansas City area the next few days, according to the National Weather Service.
Widespread rain is expected to approach the metro from the south Tuesday morning and spread across most of the region, the weather service said. Most of the storm activity will be free of lightning. Severe weather is not expected.
Rainfall totals will range from a from a few hundredths of an inch near the Iowa border to a half inch over central Missouri, according to the weather service’s forecast discussion. Rain is expected to exit the Kansas City area before sunset.
Rain may develop overnight and continue into Wednesday morning most likely south of Kansas City along a line to Kirksville. A few thunderstorms are possible, but strong storms or heavy rainfall are not likely, the weather service said.
Several more rounds of rain are in the the forecast beginning Wednesday night through Friday.
“We may have to watch out for storms tomorrow night as they may be capable of producing large hail,” the weather service said on social media. “Hopefully that won’t put a dent in your plans!”
We are here to offer your free preview of April Showers. This will be available all through this week. We may have to watch out for storms tomorrow night as they may be capable of producing large hail. Hopefully that won't put a dent in your plans! pic.twitter.com/gGY8Bcrxgx
— NWS Kansas City (@NWSKansasCity) March 21, 2023
Hail up to the size of quarters will be possible. Strong winds with gusts up to 40 mph are expected also.
Because of the threat of strong to severe storms, the weather service’s Storm Prediction Center has placed Kansas City, as well as northeast Kansas and northern Missouri, under a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms. That category indicates only isolated severe thunderstorms are expected.
Despite the possibility of several rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected through Friday, flooding is not expected.
However, a cold front is expected to push through the Kansas City area on Thursday. Heavy rainfall is expected across southern Missouri Thursday night.
“There is the potential for excessive rainfall as well as a potential for isolated severe weather, Thursday into Friday,” the National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri, said on social media.
The St. Louis area is also preparing for heavy rain and possible minor and localized flooding.
In Kansas City, temperatures for the rest of the week mostly will be near normal — the upper 50s — or a few degrees below. Temperatures on Wednesday, however, will climb to around 70 degrees.
“The sun will be a rare commodity this work week, with good chances it fails to make an appearance until the weekend,” the weather service said.
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