Kansas City, MO – Residents across the Kansas City metro could see an unusually warm stretch heading into Christmas week, along with strong winds and a brief round of rain, according to the National Weather Service.
According to the National Weather Service Kansas City office, temperatures will remain above normal through the next seven days, with daytime highs climbing into the 40s and 50s for most of the week. Some locations south and east of the metro have a moderate to high probability of reaching 60 degrees or warmer by Monday, December 23, and continuing into Christmas Eve.
Rain chances increase late Wednesday night and continue into Thursday morning. Forecasters say the best window for rain will be between midnight and noon Thursday, with chances generally ranging from 20% to 50% across the region. Rainfall totals are expected to stay light, with most areas picking up between a few hundredths of an inch and up to a quarter inch.
The bigger concern for Thursday will be wind. Strong west winds are expected to develop after sunrise and persist through the afternoon. Wind gusts between 30 and 45 miles per hour are likely across much of eastern Kansas and western Missouri, including Kansas City, Johnson County, Wyandotte County, Clay County, and Jackson County. Some localized gusts could exceed 45 mph.
By the weekend, winds ease and temperatures briefly cool before rebounding early next week. Forecast guidance shows increasing odds for 60-degree highs on Monday and Tuesday, an unusual pattern for late December.
Drivers, holiday travelers, and those with outdoor decorations are urged to stay weather-aware Thursday due to gusty conditions.
