The Rock Island Trail

Tornado risk in mid-May?

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NCW from I live in Denver but I'm from Lenexa, KS on 3/7/2019 12:00:57 PM:

Hi all! This might be a weird / paranoid question, but I'm thinking of cycling the entire Katy and Rock Island trails in mid to late May. I grew up in the Kansas City area, but I've been out of tornado alley for more than 20 years now, and so I've forgotten about how much of a risk they pose. Will there potentially be tons of storms and/or tornados during this time period? Would May be a good month to ride or would it be better to wait until autumn?

Anonymous on 3/7/2019 1:04:05 PM:

We all don't just stay in the basement in May. Most of us are normal functioning human beings and only take cover if there is a weather event that mandates doing so. Portable weather radios are nice to take along during times of inclement weather.

Allen from Shawnee on 3/7/2019 3:39:27 PM:

Severe weather events just usually last a few hours. I don’t believe I would make or change plans based on likely hood of this. There is cell service on almost all of the Katy so weather info is readily s ailable.

Allen from Shawnee on 3/7/2019 3:43:16 PM:

Sorry available. Seems to me no way to edit a post.

NCW from I live in Denver but I'm from Lenexa, KS on 3/8/2019 8:14:54 AM:

Thanks, Allen! I didn't know if there was cell service, so this helps.

Anonymous - having grown up in KC I'm well aware that people don't hide in basements all spring and summer, I was just wondering what people would think about doing this in May and whether or not it made sense to wait.

Thanks again!

John Hutchins from Pacific on 3/9/2019 5:42:11 AM:

I've ridden the entire trail in May twice with no weather problems. But, being retired I have the opportunity to watch the weather forecast and go when a window of good weather is forecast. If you have to pick a date certain in advance you have a good chance of getting rained on in May, but tornadoes are pretty rare.

I am considering riding the trail for a few days again this May as a shake out for a longer trip.

Kathleen from Oolitic on 3/9/2019 4:45:48 PM:

My dad and I rode end to end at the end of May beginning of June last year. We were lucky and didn't have a bad weather during the day, except for extreme heat. We also had cell reception the entire trip. I just checked the weather every morning before we hit the trail. Have a great trip!!

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