Missouri – Breath turns visible with every step this morning as a sharp winter chill settles over the Kansas City metro. Wind slides through open areas, rattling signs and cutting across exposed skin, while pavement feels stiff and unforgiving beneath early traffic.
According to the National Weather Service in Kansas City/Pleasant Hill, temperatures dipped near 18 degrees early today, with wind chills ranging from 3 below zero to near zero across northwest and west-central Missouri. Gusty northwest winds continue through the morning, making it feel colder than the thermometer suggests.
Skies brighten as the day goes on, but the cold lingers. Highs only reach the mid-20s, and shaded stretches of road may stay slick where frost and refrozen moisture persist. Drivers along I-70, I-35, and U.S. 71 should watch for black ice, especially on bridges and ramps where surfaces cool faster.
Conditions improve tonight as winds ease. Lows drop into the upper teens, setting the stage for another cold start Tuesday. Sunshine helps temperatures rebound into the low 40s by afternoon, melting lingering snow and ice. To be fair, that melt can refreeze after dark, keeping spotty slick roads in play.
Wednesday offers the best break of the week. Highs climb into the mid-40s under sunny skies, making travel and outdoor plans easier. Cooler air returns late week, and by Friday into Saturday, light snow chances re-enter the picture with colder daytime highs in the 20s and teens.
Looking ahead, longer-range outlooks suggest colder air holds across the Midwest while precipitation chances increase next week. For now, bundle up, limit early travel if possible, and allow extra time on untreated roads.
Five-Day Weather Snapshot for Kansas City, Missouri
- Today: Becoming sunny, high near 24°
- Tonight: Mostly clear, low near 18°
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high near 41°
- Wednesday: Sunny, high near 45°
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, high near 38°
