Supercell Risk Doubles for Western Missouri This Friday

We already knew that much of Missouri was facing a threat for severe thunderstorm development Friday, but now that risk has doubled especially for the western part of the state including the Kansas City region.

I raised the red flag yesterday when I passed along word that a major part of Missouri had the potential for strong supercell development on Friday, March 6. Today, the NOAA Storm Prediction Center elevated that risk with western Missouri being right in the middle of the danger area. Yesterday, the risk was 15% of seeing severe thunderstorms within a 25-mile radius of points within the yellow area. Today, there is now a 30% area which is what the orange represents.

In the meteorologist's discussion on the NOAA bulletin, they say "Supercells should be capable of producing tornadoes, large hail and severe wind gusts." Anyone living in the orange 30% risk area should be very alert on Friday as the forecasters believe right now that is the region where some of the strongest thunderstorms will appear. All of Missouri should be weather-aware on Friday. While this new upgraded threat statement from the Storm Prediction Center is concerning, it's no reason for panic. There are so many variables that play a role in the development (or not) of strong supercells capable of producing tornadoes. There is a lot that can still change (for the better or worse) between now and Friday. Just be prepared for possible severe storm warnings from the National Weather Service if you live in Missouri this Friday.