Topeka, KS – Northeastern Kansas enters the holiday stretch under NOAA’s “equal chances” temperature outlook, but forecasters say residents should still plan for periodic snow or mixed precipitation between December 20 and January 2. With Christmas and New Years falling inside this period, road conditions may fluctuate across the region.
According to NOAA, northeastern Kansas sits within a broad EC temperature zone stretching across much of the central U.S., meaning temperatures could trend slightly warmer or colder depending on individual storm timing. Despite the lack of a strong cold signal, late-December climatology supports intermittent snow potential, especially north of I-70.
Precipitation forecasts also place Kansas in an equal-chances zone, pointing toward seasonal-level moisture. At this time of year, that typically means snow or mixed precipitation, with northern areas more prone to accumulations and southern portions more likely to see a rain-to-snow transition. Several fast-moving disturbances may cross the central Plains during the Dec. 20–Jan. 2 window, each capable of bringing light to moderate wintry precipitation.
Communities across Topeka, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Atchison, Manhattan, and the Kansas City metro suburbs should prepare for slick roads, reduced visibility, and changing precipitation types through the holiday stretch. Areas closest to the Nebraska and Missouri borders may have the best chance at accumulating snow and even a White Christmas if colder air aligns with incoming systems.
Farther south—including Ottawa, Emporia, and the Flint Hills—more mixing is likely, but brief cold surges could still produce accumulating snowfall.
Travelers are encouraged to monitor updated forecasts as storm tracks and temperature changes become more refined.
