Tonight’s game between the Red Sox and Royals has already been moved up by 30 minutes, and for good reason. Originally scheduled for a 7:40pm (eastern time) first pitch, we’re not set to go at 7:10pm eastern.
Why you ask? Well, let’s just say Mother Nature is cooking up a whopper in the central Great Plains. By late afternoon, conditions will support numerous severe thunderstorms firing across Kansas and southern Nebraska. And, as you might expect, severe weather in this part of the country in the spring isn’t to be trifled with.
These supercells will be capable of producing large hail, strong winds, frequent lightning, and even some destructive, long-track tornadoes. As the evening progresses, these cells will likely merge into a large squall line that races into northwest Missouri where the Red Sox will be playing the Royals and probably have just fallen to 0-18 with runners in scoring position.
Below is a simulated radar from the HRRR model showing the projected conditions each hour between 6:00pm and Midnight eastern time:
Now, here’s the good news: Kauffman Stadium is located on the southeast side of Kansas City, which should buy a little bit more time before the terrible tempest arrives.
However, the exact speed of the storm is going to depend partially on how fast / if the individual supercells in Kansas and Nebraska form into a solid line as shown on the simulated radar above. If they do, they will move quicker, arrive faster, and of course be a bigger threat to cut the game short.
On the other hand, if the supercells stay separate and don’t form into a big line, they will move slower. But here’s the catch, the separated supercells scenario is also more capable of producing larger hail, and yes, one of those destructive, long-track tornadoes.
In other words, if we get that scenario and this games goes extra innings, somebody might be visiting the land of Oz.
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