Severe Weather Risk Friday: Damaging Winds, Tornadoes Possible Across Missouri

Park Hills, Mo. (KFMO) - Most of the Parkland remains under a “slight” risk for severe weather Friday, April 17, as updated information from the National Weather Service refines the timing and threats associated with a strong storm system moving across Missouri.

Thunderstorms are expected to develop over northwest Missouri Friday afternoon and quickly organize into a line as they move southeast across the state through the evening hours. The primary window for severe weather remains between 3 p.m. and midnight, with the strongest storms expected during the earlier part of that timeframe.

Storms are expected to initially form as supercells, capable of producing all hazards including tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds. As the system evolves, storms will transition into a line, with damaging winds becoming the primary threat. A few tornadoes may still be embedded within that line, even as storms begin to weaken moving southeast.

Forecasters say the most significant severe weather threat will remain closer to the cold front, mainly from western Missouri into central Iowa. As the cold front advances and begins to undercut storm development, storms are expected to weaken. However, there is still some uncertainty regarding exactly when and where that weakening will occur.

As a result, while the highest risk for severe weather remains north and west of the Parkland, strong to possibly severe storms are still expected locally.

Updated timing now shows storms arriving in the Parkland around 10 p.m. Friday night, continuing through the overnight hours, and exiting the area by around 6 a.m. Saturday.

Even with some weakening expected, the Parkland could still see impacts including wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour, quarter-sized hail, and the possibility of weak EF0 to EF1 tornadoes.

In addition to severe weather, flooding is possible across parts of central Missouri, where a flood watch has been issued.

Residents are encouraged to stay alert, especially overnight, and have multiple ways to receive weather warnings as conditions develop.