Kansas City, Missouri – Holiday travelers across Missouri may face slick and unpredictable roads from Friday night through early Sunday as a broad wintry mix spreads across the state. Snow, pockets of freezing rain, and a rain–snow blend are all possible, raising concerns for anyone driving after dark Friday or heading home from Thanksgiving gatherings.
According to the National Weather Service in Kansas City, most of Missouri sits under a risk for light to moderate snow, with northeast Missouri showing the highest chance of accumulations capable of affecting travel. Probability maps released Wednesday highlight a corridor from St. Joseph through Kirksville where the likelihood of at least an inch of snow jumps sharply. The agency also notes the potential for more than three inches in some northeast counties.
Road crews in Kansas City, Independence, and Liberty are preparing their salt operations ahead of the first wave of precipitation Friday evening. Drivers along I-70, Highway 36, and routes leading toward Chillicothe and Macon should plan for reduced visibility and patchy ice, especially overnight. Officials recommend delaying non-essential travel, keeping vehicles fueled, and packing blankets and chargers in case of delays.
The wintry mix is expected to taper off by early Sunday, though forecasters say additional advisories may be issued if colder air deepens or snow bands shift southward. Stay alert for updated statements through the weekend.
