Residents in Kansas and Missouri are advised to seek shelter as severe weather brings potentially fatal ‘gorilla hail,’ alongside heavy rain and a slight chance of tornadoes.
Parts of Kansas and Missouri are currently under threat from a severe weather phenomenon known as ‘gorilla hail,’ a term first used by storm chaser Reed Timmer to describe exceptionally large hailstones, potentially as big as baseballs. Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski has highlighted the Kansas City metro area as particularly vulnerable to damage from these hailstones, which could pose a fatal risk if they were to strike individuals. Residents are advised to find shelter for themselves and their vehicles to avoid damage.
The weather system responsible for this unusual hail is also expected to bring heavy rain and flash flooding to the region, with a slight chance of tornadoes. The storm is forecasted to move eastward by Thursday, affecting areas from northeastern Texas through central Missouri with heavy rain and strong winds. By Friday, the focus will shift to torrential rain, with predictions of up to 4 inches of rainfall from central Louisiana to central Arkansas.
Severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service, which has also urged residents to remain vigilant and stay informed about the local forecasts and alerts. The large hailstones, likened in size to apples, softballs, or baseballs, have already caused damage to vehicles in the area, as reported by local news channels. The community is bracing for further impact as the storm progresses.
