Kansas City, Missouri – Strong to severe thunderstorms could develop across parts of Missouri and eastern Kansas Friday as a storm system moves through the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Kansas City, showers and thunderstorms will continue through much of Friday morning, though the severe threat during the early hours is expected to remain minimal.
Forecasters say the greater potential for severe storms may develop Friday afternoon and evening, depending on how quickly morning clouds and storms clear from the area.
If conditions allow storms to strengthen later in the day, damaging wind gusts, large hail, and isolated tornadoes could occur.
Communities including Kansas City, St. Joseph, Independence, Lee’s Summit, and Lawrence, Kansas may see thunderstorms as the system moves across the region.
Drivers traveling along major highways such as Interstate 70, Interstate 35, and Interstate 29 could encounter heavy rain, lightning, and reduced visibility during stronger storms.
Storm development during the 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. timeframe remains somewhat uncertain, as lingering cloud cover from morning activity may limit instability.
However, meteorologists say a line of storms is expected to develop later Friday evening, potentially becoming severe as it moves through the region.
This line could produce wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph and hail up to quarter size, particularly along the leading edge of the storms.
The line of storms is expected to move east across Missouri during the overnight hours, reaching eastern Missouri between roughly 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. Saturday.
Residents across the Kansas City metro area are encouraged to monitor forecasts throughout the day and ensure they have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, especially Friday evening when the severe risk increases.
