KANSAS CITY, Missouri – Dry leaves swirled under streetlights early today as a warm breeze swept through the metro, carrying a whiff of smoke from backyard burn piles. The warmth feels pleasant now, but gusty winds and dry air are building toward a more unsettled pattern by the end of the week.
According to the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill, southwest winds could gust as high as 30 mph across Kansas City and surrounding counties through Thursday. Combined with low humidity and mild temperatures near 70 degrees, these conditions will create an elevated fire danger across portions of northwest and north-central Missouri, including Platte, Clay, and Buchanan counties. Residents are urged to avoid open burning and secure outdoor items that could be blown around in strong winds.
By late Thursday night, moisture edges in from central Kansas, bringing a 20 to 30 percent chance of showers mainly south of I-35. While rainfall totals will remain light, the change will mark the beginning of a gradual cool-down heading into Friday and the weekend. Friday highs fall into the mid-60s with calmer northwest winds, offering a brief break from the week’s breezy stretch.
Looking ahead, Veterans Day weekend trends cooler still, with morning lows near freezing possible in rural areas north of the metro. Long-range models continue to hint at a sharper cold snap next week — one that could spread Arctic air from the Plains toward the Midwest just before mid-November.
Five-Day Forecast for Kansas City, MO:
Wed: 62/51 – Sunny; west winds gusting to 20 mph.
Thu: 70/51 – Increasing clouds; gusts near 25 mph.
Fri: 65/45 – Mostly sunny; lighter winds.
Sat: 63/31 – Mostly sunny; crisp morning air.
Sun: 42/24 – Breezy and colder; early winter chill building.
