Weather
Missouri Winter 2026-27: Cold Thanksgiving, Snow Possible?
Kansas City, MO – Thanksgiving travelers across Missouri may be watching for colder weather as a long range outlook raises questions about early season snow. Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia and Sprin
By Natalie Rhodes · 2026-10-23T08:38:54.267Z
Kansas City, MO – Thanksgiving travelers across Missouri may be watching for colder weather as a long range outlook raises questions about early season snow. Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia and Springfield could experience different conditions ahead of Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 26.
According to the Farmers' Almanac's Oct. 19 update, its North Central forecast region, which includes Missouri, favors colder conditions during the Nov. 23–26 holiday period, with possible light snow in northern portions of the broader region.
The publication does not specifically predict snowfall for Kansas City, St. Louis or other Missouri communities. It also provides no city level accumulation totals or precise timing.
Missouri's geography can influence November weather.
Northern communities around St. Joseph and Kirksville can experience colder late autumn conditions than southern areas near Springfield and the Arkansas border.
Kansas City and St. Louis can also see early season snow when sufficiently cold air overlaps with precipitation, although November weather varies considerably from year to year.
NOAA's November outlook favors above normal temperatures across portions of the Upper Mississippi Valley and northern Plains.
Those broader monthly probabilities do not establish Missouri's Thanksgiving temperatures or rule out a brief cold spell.
Looking beyond the holiday, winter 2026 27 remains influenced by larger atmospheric patterns, including El Niño. However, seasonal outlooks cannot determine when individual snowstorms might develop.
For holiday travelers, I 70 connecting Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis, I 35 north of Kansas City and I 44 through southwestern Missouri are major routes to monitor if colder weather develops.
No Thanksgiving snowstorm or specific highway disruption has been established by the Almanac's regional outlook.
Could Missouri see snow before Thanksgiving 2026? Yes. November snowfall is historically possible, particularly in northern Missouri. However, the available long range projection does not confirm snow for Kansas City, St. Louis or Springfield.
Travelers should consult updated National Weather Service forecasts closer to departure for more reliable temperatures, snowfall timing and road conditions.