From ice to spring: Slick roads push some KC-area schools virtual; 80s by Friday
After a windy, snow-swept night, the Kansas City area will spend Monday below freezing, before a dramatic warmup rockets temperatures toward the 80s by Friday, just in time for the first day of spring, according to the National Weather Service.
The snow has ended in the metro, but the weather service warned that roads had become slick overnight and would likely remain slick into the morning commute.
“Patchy black ice remains on area roadways,” the weather service said on X, formerly Twitter. “Exercise caution when driving this morning, especially on bridges, overpasses and untreated surfaces.”
Due to the road conditions, several school districts in the Kansas City area turned to virtual learning, including Liberty Public Schools, North Kansas City Schools, Park Hill Schools, Smithville Schools and Kansas City Public Schools.
Shortly before 7 a.m., Kansas City International Airport (MCI) reported brisk northwest winds near 20 mph, with gusts 30 to 40 mph, pushing wind chills around minus 10 degrees.
The bitterly cold wind chills will linger through the morning commute, then gradually improve this afternoon as winds ease and temperatures climb.
The wintry cold will remain, however, with temperatures climbing to around 29 degrees Monday, well below the metro’s daily average of 56 degrees for this time of year.
The cold weather won’t be here long, as a warmup begins Tuesday, with temperatures climbing to around 48 degrees.
Sunny skies return, allowing temperatures to reach around 69 degrees on Wednesday, 77 on Thursday, and 83 on Friday, the first day of spring.
The weekend looks nice, with sunny to mostly sunny skies expected, along with temperatures near 83 degrees on Saturday and near 70 on Sunday.
This story was originally published March 16, 2026 at 7:57 AM.
