Thunderstorms, damaging winds, hail and ... snow in Kansas City forecast. Here’s when
A powerful late winter/early spring storm will surge through the Kansas City area this week, threatening to bring heavy rains, howling winds, severe thunderstorms and snow, according to the National Weather Service.
Monday will be the calm before the storm, with temperatures climbing to near 60 degrees. This is about 10 degrees above Kansas City’s average high temperature of 50 degrees, which is typical for the time of year, according to the weather service.
However, the skies will become cloudy throughout the day as the storm system approaches before reaching the area on Tuesday.
‘Smorgasbord of weather’ in KC’s forecast
The storm system that will bring a “smorgasbord of weather” to the metro was centered over the Great Basin region of the western United States, with an area of low pressure extending into southern California, the weather service said.
Later Monday, the system will move into the Four Corners region of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico, with its influence stretching to the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles and southwest Kansas.
A line of storms is expected to form around midnight and move over eastern Kansas. The weather service said the line of storms will enter the Kansas City metro between 6 and 8 a.m. Tuesday and could have some gusty winds.
“Widespread showers and a few thunderstorms expected from early Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening,” the weather service said in its forecast discussion.
The weather service said rain will be moderate to heavy at times. Generally, 1 to 2 inches of rain is possible.
A few strong to marginally severe storms will be possible on Tuesday. Damaging winds are the main threat, but the weather service said that large hail of 1 inch or greater will also be possible. The threat of a tornado is low and is mainly for Tuesday afternoon.
Temperatures will be around 60 degrees in the metro.
The weather service said there is some uncertainty in the forecast details and timing of the severe weather threat.
Strong northwest winds will also be possible Tuesday night through Wednesday. The weather service said sustained winds of 25 to 40 mph will be widespread across the Kansas City area. Wind gusts of 40 to over 55 mph will be possible.
When will rain to switch over to snow?
As the storm system moves east, the weather service said that colder air will allow rain to transition to snow overnight Tuesday into Wednesday.
“Minor snow accumulations possible, especially across NE Kansas and NW Missouri,” the weather service said.
The metro area has a 30% chance of snowfall exceeding 1 inch. The weather service said that the greatest amounts of snow will be across extreme northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri, where up to 2 inches of snow is possible.
“Snow paired with gusts up to 55 mph across NE Kansas and NW Missouri may create near whiteout conditions Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning,” the weather service said.
The weather service has issued a winter storm watch that goes into effect Tuesday evening and continues into Wednesday morning for Atchison and Doniphan counties in Kansas and Atchison, Nodaway, Worth, Gentry, Holt, Andrew and Buchanan counties in Missouri.
“Blizzard conditions possible,” the weather service advised, leading to hazardous travel conditions, tree damage and power outages.
Much colder weather is expected, with temperatures climbing only into the upper 30s in the metro.
Another storm possible at week’s end in KC
Temperatures will rebound at the end of the week, reaching near 50 degrees Thursday and near 60 degrees on Friday.
The active weather pattern continues, with the metro facing the chance for light precipitation, mainly rain, on Thursday night into Friday. A rain-snow mix or light snow could be possible near the Iowa border.
“However, little to no snow accumulations are anticipated at this time,” the weather service said.
This story was originally published March 3, 2025 at 8:01 AM.
