KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hang on to your hat — and anything else that isn’t nailed down.
The National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, has issued a high-wind warning, which means sustained winds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph or more are expected or are occurring, through 8 p.m. Wednesday. Periodic gusts of 50 to 60 mph are expected “as a potent storm system moves through the area.”
The advisory includes the entire Kansas City metro area, which already was under a wind advisory through 10 p.m. Thursday.
A High Wind Warning has been issued through 8PM tonight for the KC Metro into Bates & Linn KS Counties to the S and up into Atchison Co KS to the N.
— NWS Kansas City (@NWSKansasCity) March 13, 2019
Wind Gusts between 50-60mph are possible. Use caution if around unsecured structures and driving on E-W oriented roadways. pic.twitter.com/Vz1B2Ve5UX
The National Weather Service warns that unsecure structures and objects could become hazardous with the strong winds.
The rain-soaked ground coupled with strong winds also could cause tree damage, including some uprooted trees, and make driving difficult on east-west roadways, especially for high-profile vehicles and trailers.
According to the warning, the upgrade indicates “more frequent gusts to 60 mph are expected, especially as the light rain departs to the east,” the National Weather Service said.
The wind advisory will remain in effect Thursday with strong gusts still expected, but it “should be less intense” than Wednesday.
Strong winds from the south are expected again Thursday from 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph.
For the latest forecast and radar, click here.
