The air feels sharper this morning, with a dry bite that hints at what’s lining up across the central Plains. Streets look calm for now, but winter is organizing quickly, and conditions may deteriorate fast heading into the weekend.
Kansas–Missouri – A Winter Storm Watch is in effect from Friday evening through late Saturday night for the Kansas City metro, including eastern Kansas and western Missouri. A Cold Weather Advisory follows late Friday night into Saturday. According to the National Weather Service, heavy snow is possible with totals between 5 and 7 inches, combined with dangerously cold wind chills.
Snow is expected to develop Friday evening, increasing in intensity into Saturday. Travel could become very difficult, especially along I-70, I-35, and I-435 as snow rates increase and visibility drops. Gusty winds will push snow across roadways, creating slick, uneven driving conditions.
Cold air deepens the risk. Wind chills may fall as low as 18 degrees below zero, raising concerns for frostbite and hypothermia if drivers become stranded. Snow falling during the coldest part of the storm may cling to roads and untreated surfaces, making braking unreliable.
Saturday remains cold and snowy. Even brief breaks won’t help much, as daytime temperatures struggle near 9 degrees. Any snow that partially melts during daylight hours will refreeze rapidly after sunset, increasing the risk of flash freezing across parking lots, bridges, and neighborhood streets.
Sunday trends drier with some sunshine, but cold air lingers. National outlooks suggest another round of colder-than-normal weather next week, with renewed precipitation chances developing across the central U.S.
Residents should prepare now. Delay unnecessary travel, pack winter safety kits, and dress in layers. Check on neighbors and bring pets indoors.
Five-Day Outlook for Kansas City, Missouri
- Today: Clearing skies, cold, high near 41°
- Friday: Cold, snow late, high near 14°
- Saturday: Snow likely, bitter cold, high near 9°
- Sunday: Partly sunny, cold, high near 17°
- Monday: Sunny, still cold, high near 26°
