FIRST WARNING WEATHER DAY issued Wednesday with heavy thunderstorms

On October 30, 2024By Littum

Severe storms trigger a First Warn Weather Day, our highest alert, for Wednesday.

Wednesday afternoon and evening will likely bring storms to much of the area. Some of the storms are likely to be severe, bringing the risk of large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes. Hail and strong winds are the biggest risk, especially with the already strong winds in place before the storms ever form. It won’t be hard for thunderstorms to add a little more to that wind for them to bring 60+ mph gusts. Tornadoes may also form as quick spin-ups will be possible with Wednesday’s setup. It’s a day to stay informed, which is why it’s got our highest alert.

The storm could come in two rounds. The first round would be mid-afternoon when heavy storms could pop. These would be isolated and not the primary round. It is not certain that this round will form, but if it does, this will likely be the one with the highest tornado risk. A second round will form around sunset northwest of Kansas City. This will be a solid line that will sweep across the area and bring almost all rain. This round arrives at the metro around 22, and it leaves the area at midnight… give or take. This entails a remarkable risk of wind and hail. As far as rain amounts go, they will vary wildly depending on whether you are caught under the core of a thunderstorm or on the outskirts. Generally a quarter to 1″ is expected. This will be a quick hit of storms, so they likely won’t have enough time to bring huge amounts of rainfall.

Otherwise, we’ll have wind gusts up to 40 mph on Wednesday. The highest gusts will be in the morning and it will start out warm with lows in the upper 60s. The afternoon hits the mid-70s.

Behind the storms we will be much cooler and drier for Halloween. It will be sunny with highs in the upper 50s and low 50s for tonight’s Trick ‘r Treaters. Friday will also be dry and cool with low 60s.

Keep an eye on the weekend as we first warn you of more wet weather. Computer forecasts are unclear as to when the next storm system will form, whether it will be Saturday or Sunday, but Saturday has a chance of rain. We will be able to ascertain this in the coming days, but Sunday looks quite wet. Rounds of heavy rain will continue on Monday and Tuesday. This could be a drought-busting rain, with up to half a foot of rain possible over the next 7 days. This could almost wipe out our rain deficit for the year of about 7″. Flooding will be a problem, but it may be limited by the rain spreading over several days.