The solar eclipse forecast is starting to look more pessimistic on the ability to view the eclipse today for most of the area compared to what we were thinking the last couple days. The high clouds are still going to be moving over the area, but a complex of storms in Iowa has started to push south into Missouri overnight which will add more clouds and possibly rain and thunderstorms. The better viewing chances are starting to look more to the east of KC and out towards central Missouri as the thunderstorms may have less of an effect on the cloud coverage. There will also be the formation of thunderstorms over the eclipse viewing path, mainly north of the Missouri River, that could have the potential for severe weather. The main threats would be large hail and damaging winds. The timing for this to develop looks to be between 4-6 p.m. with a line of storms forming up near sunset. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service: 

Today: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Heat index values as high as 95. South southwest wind 7 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms. Low around 69. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7 a.m. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 83. West northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. North northeast wind 3 to 8 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 81.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.