Warm Kansas City weather shifts to showers, thunderstorms. Will any be severe?
Warmer-than-normal weather is expected again on Thursday in Kansas City, but a passing cold front will keep temperatures from being as hot as earlier in the week.
The metro missed its first 90-degree day of the year on Wednesday as temperatures reached 87 degrees, falling just a few degrees short.
A weak cold front will gradually move through the area, shifting winds out of the west by Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service said. Temperatures are expected to climb to around 82 degrees.
Drier air behind the front will cause the humidity to tumble into the mid-20s to mid-30s, with areas near the northwestern corner of Missouri seeing the lower end of that range, the weather service said. The result will be temperatures that won’t feel as hot as earlier this week.
Winds, with gusts around 20 to 25 mph, combined with the warm, dry conditions, will raise fire weather concerns for northwestern Missouri.
The warm weather is expected to continue through Sunday, with temperatures reaching the low 80s. Kansas City’s temperatures are typically in the mid-70s this time of year.
Multiple waves of rain in Kansas City’s forecast
The weather service said the metro area’s run of dry weather is expected to end as waves of rain are in the forecast.
On Friday, there is a chance for rain showers and thunderstorms, primarily east of Interstate 35. There’s uncertainty in the forecast about whether the metro will see any rain, as there are more showers and storms in central and eastern Missouri.
“If storms do materialize, small hail and strong winds will most likely be the main threats,” the weather service said in its forecast discussion.
The weather will be dry on Saturday, and multiple rounds of rain showers and thunderstorms are expected Sunday through Wednesday.
“Some of these storms moving through Sunday and Monday could be strong to severe,” the weather service said. “Additionally, multiple rounds of showers and storms could lead to some flooding concerns. However, uncertainty is still very high this far out.”
Timing of the storms, severe weather
The first round of showers and thunderstorms is expected Sunday, mainly in the late evening. Severe weather is expected to remain west of the area.
There is a slight risk of severe storms on Monday, with the main concerns being large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall, which could lead to flooding, the weather service said.
The weather service said there is also a slight risk for severe storms on Tuesday, but the severe weather is conditional on how Monday’s activity occurs.
The weather for the second half of the week has the potential to be much quieter.
This story was originally published May 15, 2025 at 7:14 AM.
