Strong storms headed for KC over Memorial Day weekend. Is a tornado possible?

Severe thunderstorms over Memorial Day weekend are possible in the Kansas City metro Saturday night after midnight and into early Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service is tracking storms that will move into the area from eastern Kansas. Storm intensity is uncertain, the NWS said, but could include hazards such as hail, damaging winds, a tornado or two and flooding.

Kansas City could experience wind gusts of 60 to 75 mph, 1-2 inch diameter hail, one or two brief tornadoes and localized flash flooding, according to a severe weather outlook from the weather service Saturday morning.

Supercell storms are expected over central Kansas Saturday night, the NWS reported. They are anticipated to evolve into a line of storms as they approach the Kansas City metro around midnight.

The weather service’s Storm Prediction Center placed the Kansas City metro at a slight to enhanced risk for severe weather Saturday.

“Prepare for power outages … definitely stay informed and have multiple ways of receiving weather updates,” said Randall Collier, a forecaster with the NWS in Kansas City.

Collier said people should be aware that winds from storms Saturday night could damage trees and throw loose objects.

Before storms Saturday, the NWS predicts sunny skies throughout the day with a high near 82 degrees. The overnight low could be around 66 degrees.

Storms are expected to weaken Sunday morning.

More than an inch of rain is probable for most metro locations, the NWS said. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain.

Rainfall amounts of 2-3 inches will be possible in the most persistent areas of thunderstorms Saturday night through Sunday.

Collier said the Kansas City metro has experienced more rain than usual 5 months into the year but is getting less rain than usual overall for the month of May.

Additional storms are possible Sunday afternoon, though they are most likely in northeast into central Missouri.

On Sunday, showers and thunderstorms are most likely before 10 a.m. Sunday’s high will be around 81 degrees and the overnight low will be around 60 degrees.

The Star’s Bob Cronkleton contributed to this report.