The next 24 hours will be quite busy on the weather front for our region with three events taking place that will effect many people in the area for the eclipse. The first event is the eclipse forecast. Two areas of storms that developed over Iowa and Kansas will play an integral part in today's cloud forecast. The storms from the north have sent an outflow boundary down into our area that is likely to add low and mid clouds to northern Missouri as well as provide a forcing mechanism for possible storm development later today. The storms in KS have added a large amount of mid and upper level clouds into a stream of deep tropical moisture in the form of dense cirrus clouds that will move over northern MO.
So while we have been somewhat optimistic on seeing through the thinner cirrus clouds it appears there will be more layers of clouds and thicker cirrus over northern MO during the eclipse. The best viewing appears to be east of KC and south of the MO River and even there clouds will be present but should be thinner and have more breaks to increase chances of seeing the sun.
The second and third events will play off each other with a round of strong to possible severe storms forming up just after the eclipse near the path of totality. Large hail and damaging winds could be possible with these storms which will eventually form up into a line and push south slowly. After sunset the severe weather threat will diminish some but the threat for flooding will increase. These storms will be very efficient rain makers as they move through so a flash flood watch has been issued for most of the area. Please keep in mind that roads could flood quickly in rural and urban areas and this event will mostly be at night so please use caution when driving around tonight and Turn Around Don't Drown! Also for anybody camping it is going to be crucial that you stay aware of the weather as you will be vulnerable to many of these potential threats.
The second and third events will play off each other with a round of strong to possible severe storms forming up just after the eclipse near the path of totality. Large hail and damaging winds could be possible with these storms which will eventually form up into a line and push south slowly. After sunset the severe weather threat will diminish some but the threat for flooding will increase. These storms will be very efficient rain makers as they move through so a flash flood watch has been issued for most of the area. Please keep in mind that roads could flood quickly in rural and urban areas and this event will mostly be at night so please use caution when driving around tonight and Turn Around Don't Drown! Also for anybody camping it is going to be crucial that you stay aware of the weather as you will be vulnerable to many of these potential threats.
