Missouri braces for a hard hit from early-season arctic air as the coldest temperatures of December press into the region. A sharp, metallic chill settles across fields and city blocks this morning, signaling what meteorologists describe as the most dangerous cold snap so far this winter.
By Sunday morning, wind chills across northern and central Missouri plunge below zero, with many locations falling into the -5°F to -15°F range. The Kansas City metro sits near the core of this bitter air, where lows drop into the single digits and wind chills dip sharply before sunrise. Commuters along I-70 and I-35 should expect biting crosswinds and sharply reduced comfort at bus stops, parking lots, and exposed bridges.
Residents should act now. Protect plumbing, prep vehicles for extreme cold, and limit early-morning outdoor activity. Pets need to come inside well before sunset as temperatures fall fast and pavement begins to frost.
Meteorologists are tracking the harsh gradient shown in the latest data: Bethany, Chillicothe, Kirksville, and Maryville approach the lowest wind chills in the region, while Kansas City still faces dangerous levels capable of causing frostbite on exposed skin in less than 30 minutes. To be fair, temperatures rebound slightly Monday, but not before another frigid morning tests the region again with single-digit lows.
By midweek, a gradual warming trend develops. Models hint at lighter winds and daytime highs climbing back into the upper 30s and lower 40s — a welcome break after this intense December cold.
