The Kansas City skyline glows under calm December skies this morning, but don’t be fooled by the mild feel — the first true cold snap of the month is already building behind the scenes. Temperatures near 55°F by midweek will give way to bitter lows in the teens by Friday night as another Arctic surge slides into the central U.S.
According to the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill, Tuesday and Wednesday will stay mostly sunny and breezy, with southwest winds gusting up to 25–30 mph. Highs in the low to mid-50s will bring a rare touch of warmth for early December, making it an ideal window for holiday errands or outdoor prep before the late-week chill returns.
By Thursday, winds shift northwest, ushering in colder air and dropping highs into the 40s, followed by Friday’s daytime temps struggling to reach the mid-30s. Nights will turn sharply colder, dipping to 15°F or lower, with patchy frost and icy spots possible on bridges and side roads during early commutes.
Meteorologists are watching a broader pattern expected to reinforce winter conditions across the Midwest between Dec. 11–17, with potential for light snow or freezing drizzle next week. Drivers along I-70 and I-35 should stay alert for flash freezing — when daytime melt refreezes after sunset.
Five-Day Outlook (Kansas City, MO)
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high 55°F, low 38°F.
- Wednesday: Sunny, high 43°F, low 30°F.
- Thursday: Partly sunny, high 46°F, low 26°F.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, high 34°F, low 15°F.
- Saturday: Partly sunny, high 28°F.
