Kansas & Missouri Expect ‘Gorilla Hail’ Wednesday | US Weather

TL/DR –

Kansas and Missouri are bracing for volatile weather, including the potential for extremely large hail, termed “gorilla hail”. Alongside the hail risk, heavy rain and potential flash flooding are also expected, as well as a slight threat of tornadoes. As the storm moves east by Thursday, the hail threat will decrease, but heavy rain and high winds will still pose a risk in areas from northeastern Texas through central Missouri.

Expectation of Volatile Weather in Kansas and Missouri Triggers Worry

Parts of Kansas and Missouri are bracing for volatile weather, with the potential for significant hail. The event is causing concern due to its ability to produce “gorilla hail,” a term coined by storm chaser Reed Timmer, representing hail the size of a baseball, warned Alex Sosnowski, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather.

Threat of ‘Gorilla Hail’ and its Potential Damage

“Gorilla hail” could cause substantial damage, particularly to cars. Residents are therefore urged to find shelter for their vehicles if possible. Sosnowski emphasized, “When you get up to tennis ball-, baseball-sized or God forbid softball-sized, that can do a tremendous amount of damage, and if you get hit in the head, that could be fatal.”

Risk of Flash Flooding and Tornadoes

In addition to hail, heavy rain is also predicted in the same areas, with the National Weather Service warning of potential flash flooding. There’s also a slight risk of tornadoes in these regions.

Weather Forecast Moving East with Continuous Threats

By Thursday, the storm is expected to move eastwards. While the threat of hail should diminish, heavy rain and high winds will persist from northeastern Texas through central Missouri. Sosnowski further warned of the possibility of torrential rain, estimating up to 4ins (10.16cm) in some locations from central Louisiana through central Arkansas, on Friday.

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