Coldest weather so far this season is coming. When will KC see its first freeze?
Get ready to bundle up in Kansas City. The coldest temperatures so far this season are about to descend upon the region.
Cool, dry fall weather will continue across the Kansas City area on Tuesday, with temperatures climbing only to the upper 50s in the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
That’s about 10 degrees below the average of 68 degrees that Kansas City typically sees this time of year.
Later, more dry, cold Canadian air is expected to move into the area, clearing out any remaining cloud cover. This will enhance overnight cooling and result in temperatures plummeting to below freezing across the Kansas City area.
“Parts of the KC downtown urban heat island may be able to stay just above freezing; however, confidence is high that most places will dip below 32 degrees early Wednesday morning,” the weather service said in its forecast discussion.
Widespread frost is expected.
First freeze of the season for KC
A freeze warning has been issued for the entire Kansas City forecast area from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday.
“Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing,” the weather service said.
Some steps it recommended include:
- The weather service urged people to take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.
- Bring potted plants inside a shelter or in your garage.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch around plants.
- Water your plants. Water helps trap heat or slow heat loss around a plant.
- Cover the plants with a sheet, box or container. Remember to uncover after the threat has ended.
- Supply a heat source.
Typically, Kansas City doesn’t see its first freeze of the season until Oct. 27. The earliest was on Sept. 9, 1995, with the latest on Nov. 24, 1931.
Warmer weather in the forecast
The clear skies will enable temperatures to rebound quickly on Wednesday, the weather service said. By afternoon, temperatures are expected to warm to around 60 degrees.
The weather overnight will not be as cold — temperatures will remain in the low 40s.
Temperatures will return to normal on Thursday, climbing to near 70 degrees.
The weather looks ideal for a fall weekend, with sunny skies and temperatures in the low to mid-70s on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The weather is also looking to be dry.
“It is most likely the rain chances will hold off until at least Monday,” the weather service said. “Unfortunately, those rain chances concentrate primarily to NW MO (northwest Missouri) on Monday. So not even everyone in the (Kansas City forecast area) gets the opportunity for some rainfall, which would be really nice to have as we are over 4 inches down on rain versus normal since Sept 1.”
The extended outlook indicates that above-average temperatures and slightly above-normal rainfall are likely for late October.
This story was originally published October 15, 2024 at 8:35 AM.
