Kansas City, Missouri – Afternoon temperatures could climb into the low to mid-70s by Thursday across Kansas City and much of Missouri, bringing a noticeable warming trend as a broad spring warm pattern expands from the Plains into the Midwest during the first full days of the season.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, the developing weather setup Wednesday through Sunday, March 18–22, favors above-normal temperatures across the central United States, including Missouri. Highs across much of the state may run 15 to 20 degrees above typical mid-March averages.
Cities across western Missouri including Kansas City, Independence and St. Joseph could see daytime highs reaching the low to mid-70s during the warmest afternoons late in the week. Farther east, communities along the Interstate 70 corridor including Columbia and St. Louis may climb into the upper 60s to low 70s under mostly sunny skies.
Southern Missouri cities such as Springfield and Branson may also experience highs in the upper 60s to near 70°F, bringing a stretch of mild spring conditions across the Ozarks.
The warming trend will develop alongside limited precipitation chances, with climate outlooks showing below-normal rainfall probabilities across much of the central United States during the same period. Dry air and strong March sunshine will allow temperatures to rise quickly each afternoon.
Wind may increase at times across open areas and major travel routes including Interstate 44 and Interstate 70, with occasional gusts between 25 and 35 mph possible.
While Missouri warms noticeably, the most extreme heat remains farther west where parts of California, Nevada and Arizona could approach 100°F during the same timeframe.
Forecasters say the mild spring pattern may continue into the weekend before broader atmospheric changes begin shifting conditions across the Midwest early next week.
