Weather in Kansas City turns wet after midnight Wednesday, with rain and storms expected to return and continue into Thursday morning. The Kansas City metro has the best chance for rain between about 4 AM and 9 AM, right through the morning commute.
A level 1/5 severe risk is in place for the metro and south. Strong winds are the main threat, with hail and heavy rainfall also possible, and rainfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour could lead to isolated totals near 4 inches.
Kansas City metro timing
Widespread rain and storms were expected to move in from the west and northwest late Wednesday night. The first round could bring a medium flood threat and increased flash flooding concerns overnight, with a band of 1-2 inches of rainfall accumulations possible.
That window is the most useful one for people trying to plan around roads before daybreak. Low 70s and mostly cloudy skies were expected at the start, but the rain band could be heavy enough to slow travel where it sets up most directly.
First Warn for Thursday afternoon
The First Warn for rain and storms remained in place for round number 2 Thursday afternoon to evening. A few isolated thunderstorm cells could fire up along I-70 and south around 4 PM to 5 PM.
That second round was expected to be less widespread, but it carried a higher severe threat if the isolated cells strengthened. If they did, they could produce wind, hail, and isolated tornado potential.
Level 2/5 severe risk south
A level 2/5 severe risk was highlighted for southeastern areas, while the metro and south stayed in the level 1/5 severe risk zone. For people in the Kansas City metro, that means the afternoon forecast is not just a repeat of the morning rain band; the later round is smaller in coverage but more capable of severe storms where it develops.
Thursday highs were expected to stay near 89 degrees, and with a touch of humidity it could feel as hot as the mid 90s. After that, Friday was expected near 86 degrees, Saturday near 88 degrees with a 30% rain chance, and Sunday highs were expected to return to the low and mid 90s with heat index values at 100 or less.
