Kansas City starts Tuesday clear and unusually warm, but the main concern later is the risk of severe storms and heavy rain. Temperatures are expected to reach 89 degrees, with a heat index near 97, before storms move in tonight.
The latest update from the National Weather Service revises the earlier forecast reported by Hoodline. Forecasters warn of damaging wind gusts, large hail and periods of moderate to heavy rain. A flood watch is in effect south and southeast of the metro and could be expanded.
Storm And Flood Threats Tuesday Night
Showers and thunderstorms become more likely after 9 p.m. Tuesday. The National Weather Service warns that some storms could produce damaging winds and large hail, with a low tornado risk in parts of the region. Forecast rainfall totals are 1 to 2 inches, with locally higher amounts possible.
A flood watch remains in effect south and southeast of Kansas City through Wednesday morning. Even outside the watch area, heavy downpours could cause travel problems on roads with poor drainage; never drive through flooded roadways.
How This Forecast Compares With Past Flooding
The current forecast calls for 1 to 2 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts. That is well below two documented 2017 events. The National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill reported that overnight July 26-27, heavy rain caused major flash flooding across portions of the metro, with widespread totals of 5 to 7 inches. In a separate event on August 21-22, the National Weather Service reported widespread rainfall of 4 to 6 inches, with the highest totals in the southwestern metro and other areas south of Kansas City; isolated reports reached 8 to nearly 10 inches. Those historical totals were substantially higher than the amount forecast for this system.
Rain Continues Before Cooler Weather Moves In
Wednesday has a high near 77. Another round of storms is expected Wednesday night, followed by a wet Thursday with a high near 72.
By Friday, the pattern flips hard: skies turn partly sunny, but temperatures fall to around 64 degrees. Friday night drops near 44, and patchy frost could develop early Saturday, especially across northern Missouri.
A Drier, Calmer Weekend
Saturday looks sunny and cool with a high near 61, followed by Sunday with a high near 67. Dry weather is expected to continue into next week.
Residents should secure loose outdoor items before the storms arrive, keep phones tuned to weather alerts and avoid driving through flooded roadways. The safest window for outdoor plans is early Tuesday, before the heat and storm threat build later in the day.
