Watch NBC Action News HD this weekend from 8-9 a.m. and at 5 & 10 p.m. for the latest on the weekend rain chances!
****Added some forecast rain totals for tonight to the paragraph about Ike****
The past two days has provided some wild weather across the area. Lots of rain and even some tornado touchdowns. Let's start with a picture from Douglas County courtesy of Ron Bishop of a tornado that caused damage about 1/2 mile west of the Douglas and Johnson county line late Friday afternoon. The tornado was near 458 road. Overall I saw 11 reports of tornadoes across the viewing area. When the NWS concludes its damage surveys I'd expect there were a few multiple reports.
The other main concern has been flash flooding as a tropical airmass has been established across the area and has resulted in torrential rains in many locations. I will compile a complete list of 3 day rain totals later today. So please send along your rain totals once again! If you are still seeing rain in your backyard just send your total in around 3 p.m. today. Here is the radar estimate from early Saturday. Parts of the area have now received over 5" of rain. The graphic that we showed for days leading up to this event showed 3-5"+ over the metro and it looks like that has already happened.
Hurricane Ike roared ashore overnight as likely a strong category 2 hurricane. Ike was just 1 mph away from being a category 3 hurricane. So more or less this was a major hurricane! Ike made landfall at Galveston, TX at about 2:10 a.m. CDT on Saturday. Winds were measured around 100 mph in Galveston. The devastion will be widespread and the pictures will likely be heartbreaking once the sun rises on Saturday.
The effects of Ike will begin to impact our viewing area tonight and early Sunday. The best chance of seeing heavy rain from Ike will be southeast of Kansas City. Areas like Sedalia, Clinton, Marshall, and Warrensburg stand the best chance of seeing rain, possibly heavy with totals around 1.50"-3.00"+. Here in the metro the northern extent of Ike could bring a few additional showers overnight and early Sunday. Some of the rain could be steady or a period of heavy rain cannot be ruled out. Totals in the metro will vary quite a bit but could range from 0.25" to over 1". Best chance of 1" or more would be in southeast areas of the metro. Right now the GFS has Ike a little farther north than the NAM. I'll split the difference and keep a small chance of rain in the early Sunday forecast for KC. Here is a look at the GFS 6Z rainfall forecast for the overnight period (1-7 a.m.).
Right now if you are heading to the Chiefs game I think it is dry at kickoff(although the seats may still be wet!). Temperatures will be in the 60s and it will be windy with gusts around 25 mph.
Sunshine finally returns to the area with improved weather conditions by Monday!
Make sure to watch NBC Action Weather Plus for LIVE updates from Houston/Galveston on the effects of Ike. Also, watch NBC Action News HD for the latest on the weekend forecast. Thank you to everyone who stopped by the blog during this stormy period to give us rain totals and storm reports. This is what makes this the best blog around...you!
Jeremy