textproduct: Kansas City/Pleasant Hill

KEY MESSAGES

* Strong to severe storms likely tomorrow afternoon into tomorrow evening - All hazards possible, including tornadoes, large hail and especially the potential for widespread damaging winds

- Current timing looks to be from 1pm-9pm.

* Much cooler temperatures Saturday with frost possible Saturday night. Sensitive vegetation may need to be protected.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 236 PM CDT Thu Apr 16 2026

One quiet day today before a return to likely an all-modes severe weather threat tomorrow. Today, the main upper level trough, which will be our weather maker, will dig through the northern and central Rockies. In response low amplitude shortwave upper ridging will build over the area today. In addition, in response to the upper trough moving into the central/northern Rockies, lee cyclogenesis will be ongoing today as a surface low deepens over western Nebraska/northeastern Colorado. This will allow the pressure gradient to tighten over the local area with modest WAA developing. Consequently, high temperatures will be well above normal again today in the low to mid 80s. Tonight, the upper level trough will shift into the eastern Rockies forcing the surface front into the central Plains, This will enhance WAA over the area overnight into tomorrow with lows tonight only falling back into the low to mid 60s. Tomorrow the upper level trough pushes into the northern/central Plains and this will force the cold front into the area. Storms are expected to develop across northwestern Missouri into eastern Kansas during the early afternoon in a highly unstable environment of 3500-4000J/Kg in addition effective shear will be between 40-50kts with very steep mid-level lapse rates. This will allow for all modes of severe weather to be possible. Hi-res models, suggest initial storm development will occur early afternoon as discrete storms capable of very large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes. Storm mode is expected to transition quickly to a linear mode with the potential for widespread damaging winds with embedded tornadoes along the line of storms. Theses storms will progress eastward through the area during the late afternoon through the evening. These storms are expected to be progressive which is expected to limit flooding potential however PWATs are expected to be in the 1.6-1.8" range which is the 99th percentile. Consequently, storms will be very efficient which may lead to minor flooding especially with antecedent conditions being somewhat wet. Showers are expected to exit the area overnight. CAA is expected behind the front tonight into tomorrow making for a much cooler day Saturday with highs in the mid 50s to near 60.

LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/

Issued at 236 PM CDT Thu Apr 16 2026

Saturday night, a surface ridge of high pressure will move into the area providing for clear skies and light winds which will allow lows to fall into the mid 30s to near 40 with frost possible. Sunday, downslope westerly flow is expected driving high back up into the mid 60s to lower 70s. Sunday night into Monday a warm front will lift north through the forecast area with WAA pushing highs back into the 70s. Tuesday, a upper level a upper level trough will begin to dig into the west coast with upstream upper level ridging building over the eastern Rockies and western Plains. This will leave the local area under northwest flow aloft but WAA will still drive highs into the mid to upper 70s. Wednesday, the upper level ridge of high pressure moves over the local area further pushing highs into the upper 70s to lower 80s.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1256 PM CDT Thu Apr 16 2026

VFR conds will prevail thru the TAF pd with clr skies prevail thru 05Z-07Z when bkn high clouds will mov into the TAF sites. Aft 11Z-12Z...ovc clouds btn 3-4kft are fcst. Winds to begin the TAF pd will be out of the south btn 10-15kts with gusts 20-25kts (at MCI and STJ) thru 22Z-00Z. Aft 22Z-00Z...winds will remain out of the south around 10kts but lose the gusts thru 07Z aft which winds will again increase to 15-20kts with gusts to 30kts.

EAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MO...None. KS...None.