Record heat, storms, freeze risk? What to expect as KC forecast takes sharp turn
From the furnace to the freezer: Kansas City will shatter heat records on Thursday, then tumble to near-freezing by Saturday, with strong winds and a chance for storms in between, according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures are expected to climb into the low to mid-90s, well above the daily record of 85 degrees set for this date in 1991.
“The warmest March temperature for KC is also in play,” the weather service said. The record was set just a few days ago, when temperatures reached 93 degrees on Saturday. The normal high temperature for this date is 59 degrees.
It will also be windy. Late in the morning, wind speeds will pick up, reaching gusts of 40 to 45 mph and continuing into the afternoon ahead of a strong cold front that is expected to sweep south through the region, the weather service said.
Showers and thunderstorms may develop along and behind the front, the weather service said. The most likely timing for the storms is between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m. Friday, according to the weather service.
A few strong storms may develop, with hail and damaging winds possible with the strongest storms.
The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center has placed most of the Kansas City region under a marginal risk of severe weather, the lowest level of its five categories of severe weather risks. The overall severe weather threat looks low, the weather service said.
Additional wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible Thursday evening and overnight, especially after winds turn north to northeast behind the cold front. The strong winds and dry air have raised concerns about the risk of grass fires and wildfires on Thursday.
“Burning is strongly discouraged,” the weather service said.
Elevated fire weather conditions may return Friday as very dry air settles over the area. If winds increase in the afternoon, conditions could approach Red Flag criteria, meaning weather conditions are favorable for fires to start easily and spread fast.
Then get ready for a quick chill. Much colder and drier air moves in behind the front, dropping Friday’s temperatures 30 to 40 degrees.
The metro is expected to see near-normal temperatures on Friday, and then fall into the 20s to low 30s by Saturday morning.
“It’s still early in the spring, but anyone with sensitive vegetation that has already emerged will need to take precautions to prevent damage from occurring,” the weather service said.
Temperatures will rebound to around 60 on Saturday and the mid-70s on Sunday, then climb back into the 80s next week. Moisture returning from the Gulf of Mexico could boost rain chances by the middle of the week.
