Kansas City, Kansas – Strong thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes may develop across eastern Kansas through midnight Tuesday, placing communities across the Kansas City metro and surrounding counties under an evening tornado watch.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, Tornado Watch 36 remains in effect until 12 a.m. CDT Wednesday for 20 counties across eastern Kansas. The watch includes the Kansas City metro counties of Johnson, Wyandotte and Leavenworth along with Douglas, Franklin, Miami, Linn and Anderson counties.
Cities such as Overland Park, Olathe, Kansas City, Lawrence and Leavenworth could see storms strengthen rapidly during the late evening hours. Farther south, communities including Coffeyville, Chanute and Iola are also inside the watch area as storms track east across the state.
Travel conditions may deteriorate quickly along Interstate 35, Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 69 if severe storms develop. Damaging wind gusts, large hail and isolated tornadoes remain possible with stronger storm cells.
Residents should review their severe weather safety plans and ensure they can receive warnings overnight. A basement or interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building offers the best protection if a tornado warning is issued.
The severe weather threat will continue across eastern Kansas through late Tuesday night as storms move toward Missouri. Additional warnings could be issued if rotating thunderstorms form before the watch expires.
