Strong winter storm brewing. Here’s an early look at what Kansas City can expect
A strong winter storm is bearing down on the Kansas City area later this week and while the amount of snow that is expected is still in doubt, forecasters are certain about one thing: It’s going to be extremely cold.
Enjoy the weather the next two days because the high temperature of 36 degrees on Wednesday will be the last time Kansas City is above freezing until early next week, according to the National Weather Service in Kansas City.
The major winter storm will usher in bitterly cold air, sending temperatures into the single digits and lower teens until Christmas Day. Wind chills of 35 degrees below zero will create dangerous conditions in Kansas City and northwest Missouri Thursday through Saturday, according to the weather service.
Temperatures on Christmas Eve morning in Kansas City will be 2 degrees below zero climbing to around 11 degrees in the afternoon. Temperatures on Christmas Day be 2 degrees below zero in the morning and 22 degrees in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, white-out and near blizzard-like conditions are possible and could make driving hazardous. Travel is being “strongly discouraged” for Thursday and Friday, the weather service said.
As for the snow, at least two inches is expected to fall in the Kansas City area. But some areas, especially those in northwest Missouri, could see as much as 6 inches, maybe more, according to the weather service.
“The greatest snow amounts will probably be across the northern half of Missouri into Iowa,” the weather service said.
The weather service’s confidence in the amount of snow, however, remains on low because strong northwest winds will cause blowing snow and could influence how the snow accumulates.
As for timing of the storm, the winds will arrive Thursday morning and continue through Friday morning. Temperatures and wind chills will drop rapidly, the weather service said.
The snow is expected to begin early Thursday morning and end Thursday evening, the weather service said.
Temperatures are expected to rebound next week and continue into the new year, according to the extended temperature outlook.
This story was originally published December 20, 2022 at 7:41 AM.
