Storms bring tornado watch for St. Joseph area
By Jared Shelton
A tornado watch has been issued for much of Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas including Buchanan County and surrounding areas until 10 p.m. Wednesday.
A line of severe thunderstorms is moving into Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas this afternoon that is capable of producing damaging gusts and sizeable hail.
A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for northern Holt and Nodaway counties and eastern Atchison County, Missouri, until 2 p.m. Wednesday. This storm is capable of producing wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour and quarter-sized hail.
A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for central Holt County Missouri, and Doniphan County, Kansas, until 2 p.m. Wednesday. This storm is capable of producing 60-mile-per-hour wind gusts and penny-sized hail.
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for counties along and north of the Highway 36 corridor in Northeast Kansas and Northwest Missouri through 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Scattered to widespread severe thunderstorms are possible across Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas on Wednesday afternoon, as a strong cold front pushes through the region.
Here’s the latest information on the timing and potential hazards of the approaching threat:
HAZARDS: Damaging winds, sizable hail, isolated tornadoes
TIMING: 3 to 11 p.m. Wednesday
THREAT LEVEL: 3 (of 5)
Scattered storms are expected to develop north and west of the St. Joseph area after lunchtime, tracking eastward through late afternoon. A second round of more widespread thunderstorm activity is anticipated to form west of the Missouri River after 5 p.m., tracking east across Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas through the 9 p.m. hour. Thunderstorms will shift east of the Interstate 35 corridor by 11 p.m., bringing an end to the severe threat locally.
Damaging straight-line winds and sizable hail will be the primary hazards with any storms that develop Wednesday, although a brief tornado cannot be ruled out.
Be sure and remain weather aware through the course of Tuesday evening and have a reliable way to receive warnings should they be issued. Stay tuned to News-Press NOW for the latest weather information.
