Tornado alert: Hail and traffic disruptions on the Kansas-Missouri border

Large hailstones battered regions of Kansas and Missouri on Wednesday evening, causing traffic on Interstate 70 to come to a halt and potentially triggering a tornado.

On Wednesday evening, the National Weather Service announced a tornado watch for the counties of Atchison, Coffey, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Franklin, Geary, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Lyon, Miami, Morris, Osage, Pottawatomie, Riley, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, and Wyandotte. This alert will remain active until 1 a.m. CT on Thursday.

On Wednesday night, Kansas and Missouri residents endured severe weather conditions when large hailstones struck areas of both states, halting traffic and raising concerns about tornadoes. Meteorologists issued immediate alerts, advising individuals to find refuge inside as the situation became perilous.

Numerous reports emerged of hailstones varying in size from golf balls to the dimensions of softballs and baseballs, wreaking havoc throughout the area. Termed "gorilla hail" for its intimidatingly large size, this weather event carried substantial threats to both life and property.

Forecasters have predicted heavy rainfall for Friday, with certain regions at risk of receiving as much as 4 inches of rain. This weather pattern is expected to span from central Louisiana to central Arkansas, suggesting that the storm's effects could extend well beyond the local vicinity.

As the weather remains a concern, officials are encouraging the public to remain alert and follow all safety advisories to reduce the risk of damage or injury.

Source: National Weather Service, ABC News, AccuWeather