Winter storm to bring heavy snow to Kansas City area. Who will see the highest totals?
Editors note: For the latest update on the winter snowstorm forecast, see Hazardous travel conditions likely as winter storm threatens to blanket KC with snow
Enjoy the 60-degree weather in Kansas City on Monday because a brewing winter storm is expected to dump heavy snow on the Kansas City area and usher in frigid temperatures this week.
The big change in the weather is expected to arrive Tuesday as a cold front moves through the metro area, according to the National Weather Service in Kansas City.
The weather service has issued a winter storm watch for Kansas City and nearly all of Missouri and eastern Kansas saying the snowstorm could bring 6 to 12 inches of snow to the region Tuesday evening through Thursday afternoon.
“Travel could be very difficult to impossible,” the weather service said in the watch. “The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.”
Snowfall totals are expected to vary widely in the immediate Kansas City area as the storm is expected set up with a tight gradient between the lower and higher snow fall total over the metro and along the Interstate 35 corridor.
That means areas to the north like Kansas City International Airport could see five inches of snow while as much as 10 inches of snow could fall in Grandview. Uncertainty remains in the forecast and a minor shift in the track of the track of the storm could lead to different snowfall totals, the weather service said.
Timing of the storm
Rain showers are expected to develop ahead of the cold front Tuesday morning, with continuing chances for rain Tuesday evening, primarily for areas south of the Interstate 70, according to the weather service.
The Kansas City metro area may see spotty showers during the day, with continuous precipitation holding off until the evening.
Behind the cold front, significantly colder air is expected to send temperatures plunging. Rain will transition to snow overnight Tuesday. The heaviest snowfall will be between 6 a.m. and noon on Wednesday for the Kansas City metro, according to the weather service’s forecast discussion.
The snow is expected to lead to hazardous driving conditions during the morning rush hour. Snow is expected to continue to fall throughout the day and eventually coming to an end Thursday morning.
Bitter cold temperatures are expected to move into the area following the snowstorm, the weather service said. Single digit temperatures are expected Thursday morning. It will not warm up much during the day, reaching only into the teens.
Friday morning is expected to be cold as well, with temperatures below zero and wind chills as low as -15 degrees.
“If you must be outdoors in the morning, dress in multiple layers and limit time spent outdoors,” the weather service said. “Frostbite can occur in a matter of minutes.”
Friday temperatures will climb to the mid-20s.
This story was originally published January 31, 2022 at 7:44 AM.
