High wind warning in effect for Kansas City metro through Friday evening: NWS

The National Weather Service was warning Kansas Citians of continued high winds on Friday with an advisory to remain in place into the evening.

Steady wind speeds of 25 to 35 miles per hour, with gusts around of up to 60 miles per hour, remained possible until at least 7 p.m. Areas further north, including St. Joseph, were experiencing top speeds near 75 miles per hour, the weather service reported.

Hazards from the high wind included tree limbs being blown down. Power outages were also a possibility, the weather service warned. Residents were advised to avoid being out in forested areas and remain in lower levels of their homes, if possible, during the wind storm. Drivers were told to exercise caution.

The latest advisory came as parts of central and northern Missouri were on watch for tornadoes into Friday night. Other threats of severe weather, including thunderstorms, had passed the Kansas City area as of Friday afternoon as storm systems moved eastward through central Missouri, the weather service said.

The Star’s Jenna Thompson contributed to this report.