Kansas City, MO — An unusually warm Christmas week is shaping up across the Kansas City region, with temperatures on track to soar far above normal and a strong chance of reaching the 70-degree mark on Christmas Day.
According to the National Weather Service in Kansas City, forecast data shows a greater than 50 percent probability of high temperatures exceeding 70 degrees south of Interstate 70 on Wednesday, December 25. If realized, those readings would be nearly 30 degrees warmer than typical late-December highs, which usually sit in the low 40s.
Probabilistic outlooks indicate the warmest conditions will develop from Christmas Eve through Christmas Day, with the strongest signal for 70-degree temperatures focused across southern portions of the Kansas City metro and surrounding Missouri counties. Areas north of I-70 will also see well-above-normal warmth, though probabilities there are slightly lower.
Forecasters say the warmth is part of a broader pattern affecting much of the central United States, driven by persistent southerly flow and a lack of Arctic air intrusions. The result will be springlike conditions during a time of year typically dominated by winter cold.
While the mild weather will be welcome news for travelers and outdoor holiday plans, it also marks a notable climate anomaly. The National Weather Service notes that highs in the upper 60s to low 70s would rank among the warmest Christmas Day temperatures on record for parts of the region.
At this time, no widespread precipitation or winter weather impacts are expected, supporting generally good travel conditions through the holiday. Forecast confidence remains moderate, and officials stress that exact temperatures may still fluctuate in the days ahead.
Residents are encouraged to stay updated as Christmas approaches, especially if planning outdoor gatherings that may feel more like early spring than late December.
