Dangerous cold and snow in forecast for Kansas City. But how much will we get?
Get ready for a major weather change, Kansas City. After one more mild day, bitterly cold Arctic air and the threat of heavy snow are expected to hit the metro area in the coming days, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters say the coldest air of the season — bringing wind chills below zero for more than 48 hours — and several inches of snow could create dangerous conditions from Friday night through the weekend.
But first, the metro should see plenty of sunshine Thursday, with only a few passing clouds, the weather service said in its forecast discussion.
Southwesterly winds will help temperatures rise to around 41 degrees, a few degrees above the average high temperature of 38 degrees typically seen this time of year. Temperatures will drop to around 7 degrees overnight.
After that, the weather will change quickly. Very cold Arctic air will move in first, bringing a much colder and more dangerous stretch of weather.
Arctic blast sends temperatures plummeting
A strong Arctic cold front will sweep through the area on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
Wind chills will be very cold and possibly dangerous for most of the weekend and into Monday, the weather service said. During this time, wind chills are expected to stay below zero for more than 48 hours.
A cold weather advisory is in effect from midnight Friday to noon Saturday for the Kansas City area, as well as parts of east-central and northeast Kansas and central and west-central Missouri.
“Very cold wind chills as low as 18 below expected,” the weather service said. Wind chills as low as minus 20 could lead to hypothermia or frostbite if people are not careful.
Counties north of the metro could see wind chills as low as minus 24.
In northern Missouri, where wind chills may reach minus 25 degrees, an extreme cold warning is in place from overnight Thursday through noon Friday.
Heaviest snowfall still uncertain
While frigid temperatures and dangerous wind chills are major concerns, another big weather story is the possibility of snow.
A large, long-lasting winter storm that has been hitting the southern and eastern U.S. has now shifted north and threatens to bring widespread heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the southern Rockies and Plains into the mid-South, then east into the mid-Atlantic and New England.
Forecasters say freezing rain and icing are not expected in the Kansas City metro, but several inches of snow are possible this weekend. Which neighborhoods will see the most snow is still uncertain.
The weather service has expanded a winter storm watch, initially issued for counties south of Kansas City on Wednesday, to now include the metro area. This includes Atchison, Leavenworth, Wyandotte, and Johnson counties in Kansas, and Platte, Clay, Ray, Carroll, Jackson, Lafayette, Saline, and Howard counties in Missouri.
“Heavy snow possible,” the weather service said. “Total snow accumulation between 5 and 7 inches is possible.”
The cities covered by the storm watch include Atchison, Weatherby Lake, Lawson, Liberty, Odessa, Concordia, Lexington, New Franklin, Stanley, Higginsville, Kansas City Kansas, Fort Leavenworth, Lenexa, Weston, Shawnee, Glasgow, Kansas City, Fayette, Marshall, Overland Park, Riverside, Richmond, Parkville, Gladstone, Platte City, Carrollton, Independence, Lansing, Leavenworth, Olathe, Kearney, and Excelsior Springs.
The snow is expected to arrive late Friday and continue through early Sunday.
Areas between U.S. 36 across northern Missouri and Interstate 70 will likely see between 3 and 5 inches of snow.
“The northern edge remains highly uncertain; models still show very large spread in snowfall totals north of Interstate 70,” the weather service said.
Meanwhile, areas south of I-70 are likely to see at least 5 inches, with totals increasing farther south.
There is still uncertainty about how much snow will fall because it depends on exactly when the storm arrives and how far north the moisture moves into the area. If the snow holds off until early Saturday morning — a delay of about six hours — it will likely mean lower snowfall totals, according to the weather service.
Delay travel if possible
The winter storm is expected to affect travel across the region. The weather service said travel could be very difficult, and people should consider delaying all travel.
“If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution,” the weather service said. “Consider taking a winter storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains, booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing.”
Travelers should also take water, a first-aid kit, and any other items that would help them survive if they become stranded, the weather service said.
This story was originally published January 22, 2026 at 8:43 AM.
