Winter’s early arrival: Will Kansas City’s first snowflakes of the season stick?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- National Weather Service warns cold front brings flurries but no accumulation.
- Temperatures drop from about 68° Friday to mid-20s lows after the front's arrival.
- Winds 20–30 mph will create uncomfortably cold wind chills into early next week.
A shot of winter weather is expected to arrive in Kansas City this weekend, bringing much colder air and even a chance for the season’s first snowflakes, according to the National Weather Service.
Any snowfall will likely be just flurries, with no accumulation anticipated, the weather service said.
But before the cold sets in, the metro can expect a mild day on Friday with temperatures around 68 degrees, which is well above the average of 57 degrees for this time of year.
A cold front will move through the area at the start of the weekend, bringing a chance of light showers or drizzle starting Saturday morning, primarily north of Interstate 70, and shifting to areas east of Interstate 35 in the afternoon and evening.
Rainfall totals are expected to remain under .10 of an inch for most areas, although some areas near Putnam and Schuyler counties could see amounts closer to .15 of an inch.
“The cold front will make its way to the south of the area, resulting in cooler temperatures in our north,” the weather service said. “High temperatures north of I-70 will range in the low to upper 50s, with areas south in the low to upper 60s.”
In the metro, temperatures are expected to climb to around 61 degrees.
Cold air is expected to move in behind the cold front, sending temperatures to the mid-20s to low 30s, the weather service said.
As temperatures get below freezing, a few snow flurries are possible across most of the area, according to the weather service. However, due to dry air near the surface and limited moisture, no snow accumulations are expected.
“Increased winds, ranging from 20-30 mph, on the backside of the front could produce uncomfortably cold conditions,” the weather service said.
The cold front will also usher in the coldest temperatures of the season thus far. Daytime temperatures are expected to reach highs of approximately 41 degrees on Sunday and 43 degrees on Monday.
Low temperatures will likely be in the mid-20s to near 30 on Sunday morning and in the upper teens to mid-20s on Monday morning. Wind chill values will be in the teens both mornings.
Although the below-freezing morning temperatures will linger into Tuesday, the cold blast won’t last long. Winds are expected to shift to the south, bringing warmer temperatures in the mid-50s to low 60s.
Above normal temperatures are expected to persist into the second half of next week. Dry weather is also forecast.
