Much of metro Kansas City is experiencing severe weather with multiple watches and warnings throughout the listening area.
“Some of these storms are capable of producing tornadoes," says Bill Bunting, chief of forecast operations at the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. "All of them are capable of producing damaging winds in excess of 60 miles per hour and large hail, and we’ve had reports of up to baseball-size hail over Northeast Kansas.”
Bunting says storms will continue to move through the region for the next several hours. The best place to turn for information is the National Weather Service.
If the area where you are is under a watch, Bunting says there’s no need to change your plans, but you should keep an eye on the weather.
“A warning for your county is an urgent message that storms have developed," Bunting says. "They are severe. If you’re in the path of that storm, then you need to pay close attention and activate your personal severe weather safety plan.”
A tornado warning, on the other hand, is an urgent message that means to take cover immediately.
Bunting says if your plans for the evening include Memorial Day weekend travel, be sure to check the forecast for all the counties you're traveling through.
Elle Moxley is a reporter for KCUR. You can reach her on Twitter @ellemoxley.
