Strong storm, sudden chill for Kansas City: A glimpse at the Christmas forecast
After rain and strong winds from a storm overnight Wednesday, Kansas City will see a quick return to winter as a polar front brings much colder weather and wind chills in the single digits to low teens, according to the National Weather Service.
But before the rains arrive, the metro will see temperatures rise into the mid-50s, well above the average of 42 degrees for this time of year.
The system was moving ashore in the Pacific Northwest early Wednesday and is expected to track eastward, affecting the region beginning Wednesday night, the weather service said.
As the system moves into the Plains, winds will increase out of the south, drawing moisture northward into the area, the weather service said.
The warm, moist air will bring the chance of rain to the area, most likely starting after midnight for areas west of Interstate 35. Temperatures will remain quite warm — in the 50s — so no snow is expected.
Rain chances will quickly increase and spread east before dawn, and are expected to move out of the area by noon Thursday, the weather service said.
Whipping winds will move into the area behind a cold front, with gusts over 45 mph possible. The weather service has issued a wind advisory for portions of east-central and northeast Kansas and north-central, northwest and west-central Missouri.
The timing for these strong winds appears to be from late Thursday morning through midnight in the eastern zones of the Kansas City forecast area, the weather service said. Winds will diminish from west to east as the system moves away.
The combination of howling winds and low humidity is expected to increase wildfire risk across east-central and southeastern Kansas, as well as central and southwestern Missouri.
Then comes a big change — a blast of polar air arrives.
“The cold air will plunge southward along the polar front Thursday afternoon and evening,” the weather service said. “This will drop temperatures quickly from the 40s and 50s, into the 20s and 30s between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., with temperatures continuing to fall through the overnight hours.”
By Friday morning, temperatures in the teens and 20s are expected.
The cold will be short-lived, with temperatures rebounding to the low 50s on Saturday and the mid-40s on Sunday.
The remainder of the forecast looks dry, with temperatures well above normal next week. There is a possibility that temperatures will exceed 60 degrees during the week of Christmas.
