Missouri wakes up to a sharp winter bite as cold air settles firmly over the Kansas City metro. Breath hangs in the air, car doors creak open slowly, and frost coats windshields before sunrise.
Early temperatures hover near 19 degrees at Kansas City Downtown Airport, with wind chills slipping into the single digits. The National Weather Service notes dry conditions dominating today, but the cold itself remains the main hazard. Even without snow, winter travel risks linger due to refreezing moisture.
Sunshine helps this afternoon, pushing highs close to 29 degrees. That warmth is limited and brief. As evening approaches, temperatures fall quickly, setting the stage for flash freezing. Any melted snow or damp pavement can harden into ice after sunset, especially on bridges and elevated roads.
Midweek stays cold and quiet. Wednesday reaches the low 30s, then slips back into the teens at night. By Thursday, colder air reinforces the pattern, holding highs near 22 degrees with lows dropping to 6 degrees overnight. Friday brings another punch of cold, with daytime highs struggling near 15 degrees and overnight lows near 2 degrees.
While widespread snow is not expected, forecasters are monitoring weak disturbances that could bring very light snow later in the week. Even minimal snowfall would increase travel concerns given the persistent cold.
Looking ahead, temperatures slowly recover this weekend, though winter remains firmly in control. Saturday highs stay in the teens, rising toward the upper 20s by Sunday.
Drivers should plan extra time during evening commutes, protect exposed pipes, and keep winter gear handy. Meteorologists continue tracking late-week changes. How cold did it feel where you stepped outside this morning?
Five-Day Outlook for Kansas City, MO
- Today: Sunny, cold, high near 29
- Wednesday: Sunny, high near 33
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy, colder, high near 22
- Friday: Sunny and very cold, high near 15
- Saturday: Sunny, slowly moderating, high near 17
