Weather Alert Day: Storms bring wind threat this evening

SETUP: A line of storms from the west will approach mid-Missouri this evening, bringing a threat of damaging winds. While hail is also a possibility, our main concern is for winds possibly reaching 60-70 mph. Overall, the severe risk is low, and storms will generally weaken from west to east.

TIMING: The Weather Alert Day spans a 6 hour window from 6 p.m. to midnight. Storms to our west will form into a line and approach between 6 and 7 p.m. Storms may approach HWY 63 and 54 by 8 pm. From here, storms will push east; leaving the area around midnight.

IMPACTS: Our main impact with these storms will be the potential for damaging winds. We expect the potential for high grade severe winds at 70+ mph to our west near Kansas City, a better chance of 60 mph winds locally. We'll see storms gradually weaken with eastward extent, decreasing the likelihood of severe east of Columbia and Jefferson city.

Overall, the damaging wind risk while serious, is relatively low. There remains the possibility that these storms struggle into the evening. Some good news, is that more heavy rain is likely with tonight's storms, and many will make more progress in improving drought conditions.