KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Storms and high winds moved through the Kansas City area throughout the afternoon on Friday, March 14. Check back for updates.

UPDATE, 6:35 p.m. | A motorist narrowly missed being struck by a falling tree Friday afternoon in southern Kansas City, Missouri. Take a look in the video player below.

UPDATE, 6:30 p.m. | High winds and dry conditions have combined for several grass fires in the area. Teresa Fuentez sent in this video of a fire earlier this afternoon near Yates Center, Kansas.

UPDATE, 5:30 p.m. | Charlie Keegan reports from Blue Springs that the driver, identified as a male in his 70s, is in critical condition.

UPDATE, 5:25 p.m. | The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued an air quality alert for eastern Kansas. Here's a link to learn more .

UPDATE, 5:10 p.m. | KSHB 41 reporter Charlie Keegan just filed this report from Blue Springs.

UPDATE, 4:55 p.m. | The National Weather Service has cleared the Kansas City metro area of the severe thunderstorm watch that had been in effect through 7 p.m. A tornado watch remains in effect until 11 p.m. for parts of mid-Missouri and points east.

High winds remain possible through the evening hours.

UPDATE, 4:50 p.m. | KSHB 41 Reporter Charlie Keegan is near the intersection of Duncan Road and Deer Run Road in Blue Springs where a tree fell on an occupied car.

Blue Springs police say the driver was transported to a local hospital. The extent of their injuries wasn't immediately known.

UPDATE, 4:45 p.m. | The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports high winds blew over a tractor-trailer Friday afternoon on Missouri Highway 210 near Pendleton Road in Ray County.

UPDATE, 4:05 p.m. | A tornado watch has been issued for parts of central Missouri.

UPDATE, 3:25 p.m. | KSHB 41 Weather's Jeff Penner just checked in from Kansas City International Airport where conditions have turned stormy.

UPDATE, 3:10 p.m. | Thunderstorm warnings have been expanded to additional parts of the area.

UPDATE, 3 p.m. | Parts of Miami County, Linn County, Cass County and Bates County are included in a severe thunderstorm warning through 3:45 p.m.

UPDATE, 2:58 p.m. | Trained weather spotters are reporting gusts as high as 60 miles per hour in southwest Johnson County, Kansas around 2:45 p.m.

UPDATE, 2:50 p.m. | Parts of Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas are under a severe thunderstorm warning through 3:30 p.m. Winds up to 70 MPH possible.

UPDATE, 2:30 p.m. | Parts of Cass County are in a severe thunderstorm warning through 3 p.m.

Storms are anticipated to develop in eastern Kansas by 3 p.m. and quickly move east into Missouri.

The most likely severe threat with Friday’s storms is high wind. The tornado threat generally increases further east into Missouri, especially east of U.S. Highway 65.