Watch the forecast, travelers. Post-Thanksgiving storm could bring KC its first snow
If you’re traveling on Wednesday for Thanksgiving, you’ll want to make sure your windshield wipers are working properly, the National Weather Service said.
Rain showers are expected across the Kansas City area, especially in the afternoon and evening, the weather service said. The rain will be light — between .10 and .20 inches south of the U.S. 36 highway in northern Missouri, including the metro.
The rain could linger into early Thursday, but it is expected to end before below-freezing temperatures move into the area.
Because of that, the weather service said it has “kept any kind of snow, or rain-snow mix, out of the official forecast.”
Wednesday’s temperatures are expected to be in the low to mid-40s, slightly below the average of 49 degrees for this date.
Polar air mass moves into KC area Thanksgiving Day
The weather will turn even colder as a polar air mass moves into the area, the weather service said.
On Thanksgiving Day, temperatures will be in the upper 30s, with overnight temperatures plunging into the upper teens and low 20s.
The weather will be colder on Friday, with temperatures in the mid-30s during the day and low 20s overnight. The weather service said the chilly temperatures will continue into the weekend.
No hazardous weather is expected through Friday.
Snow could impact post-holiday travel
A weather disturbance is expected to move into the region on Saturday, creating the chance for light snow, the weather service said.
“The precise track of the system, and thus snow amounts, remain uncertain at this point, though snow amount appears to be generally less than two inches,” the weather service said. “If you have travel plans Saturday, continue to monitor the forecast for the latest information.”
The snow is expected to begin in the morning and peak by late morning before ending in the evening.
According to the latest forecast, the metro has a 40% to 50% chance of a dusting of snow. The weather service said the chance of one inch of snow falls to 10% to 20% in Kansas City, with some areas just out of the immediate metropolitan area having a 20% to 30%.
The weather service expects that after the mid-week storm system moves through, the forecast should become clearer on where a localized band of snow could develop and if there remains any potential for some areas to exceed two inches of snow.
Temperatures will be in the low to mid-30s during the day and in the teens overnight.
