Missouri — A thin gray glow spreads over the Missouri River at dawn, catching the edges of rooftops and leaving a cool hush across Kansas City. The air feels mild for mid-November, but clouds linger with an unsettled look that signals the start of a more active Thanksgiving travel week.
Residents should prepare for building rain chances from late morning through the afternoon today. Moisture will be light at first, yet even brief showers can create slick patches on I-35, I-70, and routes through North Kansas City. Travelers heading east toward Independence or south toward Olathe should give themselves extra minutes as pavement stays dim under increasing clouds.
Today’s highs climb into the lower 80s, a warm spike for this point in November. Winds stay manageable, though occasional gusts could shift visibility on the more open stretches of I-29. To be fair, the mild air offers a good window for outdoor chores or early holiday errands.
Tuesday turns quieter, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-60s, though models hint at a Winter Tease further north across Iowa and southern Minnesota—areas already past their first freeze. No wintry threat reaches Kansas City, but the regional pattern suggests colder trends could return closer to Thanksgiving.
Wednesday brings increasing clouds again, and a stronger system approaches Wednesday night. Rain becomes likely, and some pockets may turn briefly heavy. Evening commuters, especially those crossing into Kansas, should expect slower traffic and reduced visibility in spots.
Late week stays active. Thursday and Thursday night both carry high rain probabilities, which could affect the first major wave of long-distance Thanksgiving departures. Cooler air slides in behind the system, leaving Friday breezy but drier.
The weekend looks calmer, with sunny breaks returning—useful for final travel prep or local gatherings.
