Stormy Memorial Day weekend ahead for KC -- but ‘flooding may be bigger story’
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kansas City forecast calls for stormy Memorial Day weekend with cooler temps.
- Weather system Friday through Monday could bring 3–5 inches of rainfall.
- Flood risk may outweigh severe storm threats as soil saturation increases.
With rounds of storms in the forecast for this Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer in the Kansas City area will be cool and wet, according to the National Weather Service.
But before the long holiday weekend begins, the metro will see mild, sunny weather on Thursday, the weather service said. Skies across the area will gradually clear, leading to afternoon temperatures in the lower to mid-70s for most locations.
In the metro, temperatures will climb to 71 degrees, below the average of 77 degrees that Kansas City typically sees this time of year. Skies will remain mostly clear overnight, with temperatures dipping into the upper 40s.
Storms in KC area’s Memorial Day weekend forecast
The dry weather pattern, however, will change on Friday as a new weather system moves through the area.
“Most of the region should see at least general rain showers,” the weather service said.
The heavier rains on Friday will be west of the metro. The potential for severe weather is limited along the Kansas and Missouri state line, the weather service said.
The temperature is expected to be around 70 degrees in the metro.
Saturday’s rain sets the stage for possible flooding
The weather service said more rain is expected on Saturday as a warm front is expected to stay south of the metro.
There might be some isolated thunderstorms, but the chance for severe weather will depend on how much instability develops in the atmosphere, the weather service said.
Stronger storms could develop if the warm front moves further north than expected or if the atmosphere becomes more unstable, the weather service said.
“If the severe threat with respect to hail and wind does not materialize, we will need to watch rainfall amounts as this round on Saturday starts to prime the area for flooding concerns starting Sunday through the start of the next work week,” the weather service said in its forecast discussion.
Heavier rains possible Sunday in Kansas City area
A stronger weather system will move across the Central Plains, bringing more rain and the chance for thunderstorms, the weather service said.
Severe storms will be possible if a warm front moves far enough north. The warm front will also usher more moisture into at least the southern half of the forecast area, bringing the possibility of significant rainfall.
“Heavy rainfall and flooding may be a bigger story than severe thunderstorms,” the weather service said.
More rain showers are expected on Memorial Day, although the chance of severe weather will be limited. The weather service said the primary concern will be the continued risk of flooding due to the accumulated rainfall over the previous days.
Areas along and south of Interstate 70 could see between three and five inches of rain Friday through Tuesday, the weather service said.
This story was originally published May 22, 2025 at 8:11 AM.
