Strong winds usher in cold snap & fire danger for Kansas City
Light widespread rain fell across the Kansas City metro Thursday morning ahead of forecast strong winds and falling temperatures.
The region has felt higher than average temperatures for this time of year, with highs in the mid 50s this week. But colder weather is on the way.
Strong, whipping winds will combine with a cold front Thursday moving through the metro southeastward, according to the National Weather Service. The front is expected to bring temperatures down into the mid 30s by late Thursday afternoon.
Precipitation began in the metro overnight Wednesday into early Thursday morning and is forecast to move out of the area by noon. Rainfall totals are predicted to be less than a tenth of an inch.
Rain combined with gusty winds in the morning that will persist through the afternoon, according to the weather service. A high wind advisory has been issued for the area as Kansas City could see winds higher than 45 mph.
“After a lull in winds during the mid-morning hours, stronger winds will return midday through this evening,” the weather service said in a Facebook post.
Fire weather & freezing wind chills
Dangerous fire weather conditions are expected from eastern Kansas and western Missouri, where humidity levels are low even after Thursday morning’s rain. Dry air combined with strong wind gusts means fires could rapidly spread, meteorologists said.
Weather models show snow flurries are possible in northern and northeastern Missouri Thursday, but the snow will likely miss the Kansas City area.
Temperatures will quickly drop Thursday evening when cold air rushes in to bring overnight lows into the teens and low 20s, the forecast shows.
Wind chill values are expected to be in the single digits overnight Thursday into Friday morning.
“This isn't extreme cold for the area, but it is slightly below normal for lows this time of year,” meteorologists said in a Thursday morning forecast discussion.
Kansas City weekend forecast
Colder weather will be short-lived and high temperatures will slowly rise back up to the mid 40s and low 50s over the weekend, the forecast shows.
Friday, the high temperature is forecast near 46 degrees. Strong winds will also pass through the area overnight Thursday and bring a milder day with light, variable winds Friday.
Saturday, Kansas City will see a mostly sunny day with a high temperature near 50 degrees, the forecast shows.
Then Sunday, a partly cloudy day will bring mild winds and a high temperature near 47 degrees to Kansas City.
This story was originally published December 18, 2025 at 8:38 AM.
