Chill in the air as colder weather conditions blow in Kansas City metro area
Get those winter layers handy Kansas City — it’s going to be a chilly day in Kansas City and an even frostier night.
Gusty winds combined with colder weather conditions will send wind chill temperatures as low as the 20s during the day Friday and possibly into the teens at night, according to the National Weather Service in Kansas City.
Kansas City mostly likely has already seen the warmest part of the day. That was shortly after midnight when the temperature at Kansas City International Airport was 45 degrees. Since then, conditions have slowly dropped to the mid-30s by 7 a.m.
Although there might be a slight warming before noon, temperatures will continue to fall throughout afternoon and evening hours. With strong winds gusting into the 30s throughout the day, wind chills will make temperatures feel like the 20s, according to the weather service.
If you’re heading out for some playoff football or just a night on the town, the weather service advises that you’ll want to take:
- Beanie or hat
- Mittens
- Warm coat
“It will be pretty brisk out there with gusty winds and dropping temperatures through the evening,” the weather service said on Twitter.
Temperatures are expected to continue to drop over night, with Saturday morning “being on the frosty side with lows dropping into the mid-20s for most of the region,” the weather service said in its forecast discussion.
The could means areas could see their first hard freeze — temperatures reach 28 degrees or lower for a few hours — if they haven’t seen it already this fall. Those who have delayed bringing plants indoors for the winter should consider doing so.
Despite the chilly start, Saturday’s temperatures should climb into the mid- to upper 40s by the afternoon. The warm up continues through the weekend and into next week with temperatures climbing to near 50 on Sunday, upper 50s on Monday and the upper 60s on Tuesday, according to the weather service.
Next week, local and state emergency management officials will be teaming up with the National Weather Service to promote the week as Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Missouri.
“Most Missourians have experienced frigid temperatures and icy road conditions, but many do not take the steps to prepare so they don’t wind up getting stranded in the cold,” State Emergency Management Agency director Jim Remillard said in a news release.
“By designating Nov. 15-19 as Winter Weather Preparedness Week, we’re encouraging everyone to prioritize safety this winter and reminding all Missourians to prepare in advance of severe storms — while on the road and at home.”
Last year, there were more than 5,500 vehicle crashes in the state tied to snow or ice. Those crashes resulted in 1,698 injuries and 26 deaths, according to preliminary results provided by the Missouri Highway Patrol.
The emergency management officials urged people to prepare for the winter weather and the dangers the frigid temperatures, snow and ice bring by:
- Creating a family emergency plan and kit.
- Assemble separate vehicle winter emergency kits.
- Avoid driving whenever possible when conditions are poor.
- Make sure alternate heat and power sources, such as fireplaces, wood stoves, kerosene heaters and generators, operate properly.
- Review how to safely use space heaters, which account for about one-third of home heating fires and 80% of home heating fire deaths each year.
- Know the risk of exposure to the cold.
For more winter weather information, including safe winter driving techniques, avoiding injury when shoveling and other tips, go to https://www.mo.gov/winter-weather-safety/.
This story was originally published November 12, 2021 at 8:19 AM.
