Forecasters anticipate volatile weather targeting portions of Kansas and Missouri on Wednesday night, with primary concerns revolving around the looming possibility of substantial hailstones.
Dubbed “gorilla hail” due to its potentially colossal size, meteorologist Alex Sosnowski from AccuWeather underscores the severity of the situation.
The Kansas City metropolitan area lies squarely within the anticipated impact zone.
“Gorilla hail” is a term popularized by Reed Timmer, an extreme meteorologist renowned for his storm-chasing exploits.
Sosnowski suggests that the moniker may be fitting in this instance, as hailstones ranging from the size of tennis balls to baseballs are projected, with some even reaching softball dimensions.
Sosnowski emphasizes the significant threat posed by such large hailstones, citing their potential to cause extensive damage, particularly to vehicles.
He urges people to seek shelter under roofs whenever feasible to mitigate risks.
In addition to the hail threat, heavy rainfall is anticipated along the same trajectory, raising concerns about the potential for flash flooding.
Moreover, there’s a slight possibility of tornadoes.
As the storm progresses eastward by Thursday, the hail threat is expected to diminish.
However, the region remains susceptible to heavy rain and strong winds, spanning from northeastern Texas through central Missouri.
Looking ahead to Friday, the primary concern shifts to torrential rainfall, with some areas forecasted to receive up to 4 inches (10.16 cm) of precipitation.
This rainfall swath extends from central Louisiana through central Arkansas, according to Sosnowski’s analysis.