Tornado Watch Issued Kansas City Area Outbreak Severe Weather Hits Midwest

Tornado watch issued for Kansas City metro and surrounding counties with potential for tornadoes, hail, and hurricane-force winds. Stay safe!

The Kansas City metro area and surrounding counties are currently under a tornado watch as severe thunderstorms have begun to develop, causing widespread concern for the Midwest region.

The National Weather Service issued the tornado watch just before 3 p.m. for several counties in both Kansas and Missouri, including Clay, Cass, Jackson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Platte, and Wyandotte counties. The watch is set to remain in effect until 10 p.m. and covers a large area that includes cities like Atchison, Belton, Boonville, Cameron, Clinton, Excelsior Springs, Fort Leavenworth, Gladstone, Glasgow, Harrisonville, Independence, Kansas City, Kearney, Lenexa, Liberty, Olathe, Overland Park, Pleasant Hill, Shawnee, and St. Joseph.

The weather service has warned that the possibility of tornadoes is high, along with the potential for large hail and strong winds. Shortly after the tornado watch was issued, a severe thunderstorm warning was also issued for parts of Leavenworth, Buchanan, Clinton, Clay, and Platte counties. A fast-moving storm over Leavenworth was reported to be moving northeast at 70 mph, with the potential to produce damaging winds and hail.

Cities like Leavenworth, Lansing, Smithville, Platte City, Plattsburg, Weston, Gower, Trimble, Edgerton, Dearborn, and Fort Leavenworth are expected to be impacted by the severe weather. Additionally, Kansas City International Airport may also be affected by the storm.

Major highways like Interstate 29 and Interstate 435 are in the storm's path, with potential for significant damage. The warning remains in effect until 3:30 p.m., and residents are urged to stay alert and take necessary precautions.

For live updates and official weather warnings, viewers can access a data feed from the National Weather Service, which includes information from sources like NOAA, National Weather Service, NOAA GeoPlatform, and Esri. Stay safe and stay informed during this severe weather event.