Kansas City, MO – The Heartland may see a wet and occasionally wintry stretch during the Thanksgiving travel window, as new long-range federal outlooks show a 40–50% or higher chance of above-normal precipitation across the region from November 23 through November 29. With temperatures fluctuating near the rain–snow threshold, parts of the Heartland could see a mix of rain, wet snow, or slushy periods depending on storm timing.
According to the Climate Prediction Center’s 8–14 Day Outlook, the northern and central Heartland carries the strongest potential for wintry weather. Nebraska, Iowa, northern Missouri, northern Illinois, and eastern Kansas sit directly within the corridor of strongest moisture while also remaining close to colder air filtering in from the Upper Midwest.
Cities including Omaha, Lincoln, Des Moines, Sioux City, Springfield (IL), Rockford, and the Kansas City metro may see periods of mixed precipitation or wet snow—especially during nighttime hours when temperatures dip a few degrees.
In central Missouri and eastern Kansas, including Columbia, Jefferson City, Topeka, and Lawrence, cold rain is the most likely outcome, but a brief mix is still possible if colder air deepens during the middle or latter part of the week.
Farther south in the southern Heartland, including Oklahoma, Arkansas, and southern Missouri, temperatures support primarily rain. Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Little Rock, and Branson should expect wet travel conditions, though the Ozark Mountains could experience a very brief mix in higher elevations.
Thanksgiving week creates some of the heaviest travel volume of the year across I-70, I-80, I-35, I-44, and I-55. Even cold rain can slow traffic, and any mix or wet snow in northern areas may reduce speeds and visibility.
Forecasters expect clearer storm timing early next week as short-range models begin identifying individual systems affecting the central U.S.
