A flash flood watch continues through Thursday morning for portions of Kansas and Missouri including Johnson, Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties.

The National Weather Service said thunderstorms would spread northeast across the watch area this morning with the storms likely producing heavy rainfall. The rain is expected to diminish by the early afternoon hours, however afternoon heating and the arrival of a cold front this evening will likely initiate another couple of rounds of thunderstorms later this afternoon and this evening with additional heavy rainfall possible.

Total rainfall amounts through Wednesday night will range from 1 to 2 inches with some areas receiving even heavier amounts. Given that the soil is saturated or nearly saturated from recent rainfall, the NWS said, runoff from the additional heavy rain will likely cause flash flooding.

In addition this heavy rainfall will likely increase the severity of current river flooding.

A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding, the National Weather Service reminds readers, is a dangerous situation.