Rain moves into the KC area. But will it warm up enough to keep freezing drizzle away?
The race is on to see if Kansas City’s temperatures will warm above freezing before rain reaches the metro on Friday. The outcome will be the difference between rain and freezing drizzle.
The morning started frigid, with temperatures falling to 17 degrees at Kansas City International Airport. The wind made it feel even colder, with the wind chill temperature falling to 4 degrees.
The rain will spread from the south to the north across the region in the afternoon and evening, the National Weather Service said. When the rain arrives, parts of northeastern Kansas and northern Missouri will be below freezing.
The weather service said drizzle and freezing drizzle will be possible this afternoon and evening before transitioning to rain. The areas with the best chance of freezing drizzle will be north of the U.S. 36 highway in northern Missouri.
But the weather service said it “can’t entirely rule out an hour or two of freezing drizzle on the north side of the KC metro this afternoon.” The probability of that happening is under 10%.
Despite the chilly start, the metro’s temperatures are expected to climb to 42 degrees, which is near average for this time of year.
Winter weather advisory issued for parts of Missouri
Because of the chance of freezing drizzle, the weather service issued a winter weather advisory for northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri beginning at 2 p.m. The advisory runs until 9 p.m. for Atchison and Doniphan counties in Kansas and Buchanan County in Missouri and midnight for counties further north.
“Very slippery sidewalks, roads and bridges are possible,” the weather service said. “The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening commute.”
The weather service advises drivers to slow down and exercise caution while traveling, especially those heading to Nebraska or Iowa.
“While ice accumulations are expected to be minor it will not take much to cause slick conditions,” the weather service said.
The freezing precipitation will transition to rain and drizzle early Saturday.
Warm, wet weekend forecast for Kansas City
Showers and thunderstorms are possible throughout much of Saturday in the metro, but it will be warmer than usual, with temperatures in the low 50s.
Temperatures will be slightly warmer on Sunday, climbing into the mid-50s.
The weather service said a cold front is expected to sweep through the region on Monday. This front could bring more rain Sunday night into early Monday.
Mostly sunny skies are expected to start the work week, with temperatures around 50 degrees.
A series of cold fronts “stair step temperatures lower through the week,” the weather service said.
This story was originally published December 13, 2024 at 7:47 AM.
