Kansas City, Missouri – Cooler temperatures and lower humidity are providing a welcome break across Missouri and eastern Kansas, but hazy skies from Pacific Northwest wildfire smoke and increasing rain chances will give way to another surge of summer heat by the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Kansas City/Pleasant Hill, smoke from wildfires in the Pacific Northwest will continue to produce periods of hazy skies across portions of Missouri and Kansas through the next several days. Despite the haze, afternoon highs will remain comfortable, generally in the upper 70s to lower 80s, with dew points in the 50s and 60s, offering relief from the recent stretch of oppressive heat and humidity.
Rain and thunderstorm chances begin increasing as early as today across western and northwestern Missouri and eastern and northeastern Kansas, with the coverage expanding Thursday night into Friday. Communities including Kansas City, St. Joseph, Maryville, Sedalia, Chillicothe, Moberly and Carrollton could experience multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms. While the overall severe weather threat appears low, repeated storms may produce localized flooding, especially where heavier rainfall develops.
The cooler pattern will be short-lived. By Saturday and continuing into early next week, highs will climb back into the 90s, with cities including Kansas City, St. Joseph, Sedalia and Butler expected to reach the mid to upper 90s by Sunday and Monday. Rising humidity will push heat index values back toward 100 to 105 degrees or higher, increasing the risk of heat-related illness.
Residents should enjoy the cooler conditions while they last, monitor forecasts for Friday’s rain potential and prepare for another period of dangerous summer heat this weekend. Additional weather advisories, including possible heat headlines or localized flood alerts, may be issued as conditions evolve.
Five-Day Forecast for Kansas City, Missouri
- Wednesday: Hazy with cooler, less humid conditions. High 84°F, 10% chance of rain.
- Thursday: Increasing clouds with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible. High 80°F, 50% chance of rain.
- Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. High 81°F, 80% chance of rain.
- Saturday: Hot and mostly dry. High 91°F, 40% chance of rain.
- Sunday: Hot and humid. High 96°F, 0% chance of rain.
