West Central MO Unbelievably Hot Today; Strong Storms Tonight

It will be a sizzler in West Central Missouri this afternoon, followed by intense storms tonight.

The National Weather Service is warning that West Central Missouri will experience a dangerous combination of heat and humidity this afternoon. Highs are expected in the mid to upper 90s, while heat index values of 100-106 are expected. While much of the Townsquare Media Sedalia-Warrensburg listening area isn't under a Heat Advisory as of this writing, the Kansas City area is.  Other cities under the Heat Advisory include Harrisonville, Olathe, Carrolton, Chillicothe, Plattsburg, and St. Joseph.

The maximum heat Index predicted for area towns this afternoon is as follows:

• 98 in Sedalia
• 101 in Columbia
• 100 in Butler
• 100 in Moberly
• 104 in Kansas City
• 106 in St. Joseph

This evening, scattered thunderstorms should develop along a cold front near the Iowa and Missouri border by late afternoon and move south through the evening hours. Most of our listening area is at a slight risk for severe weather, while cities like Chillicothe, Plattsburg, St. Joseph, and Kansas City are at an enhanced risk for severe storms tonight. The National Weather Service has more confidence in severe storms in Northern Missouri.

If severe storms hit West Central Missouri, the National Weather Service says we can expect very large hail - up to tennis ball size. Damaging wind gusts up to 75 miles per hour. And a possibility for tornadoes.

Jim Sublette from Subby's Weather Talk on Facebook believes West Central Missouri will need to remain aware of the potential to see scattered storms in our area, some of which may be strong. He thinks the best chance to see storms looks to be along and north of a line from Harrisonville to Sedalia to Columbia.

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Weatherology says there is a 35% chance of precipitation tonight, with lows around 70. Friday will be mostly sunny, with a high around 88 and a slight chance of early storms. Saturday's high will be 91, with a slight chance of scattered storms and a mix of clouds and sun on Sunday, with a high of 94.