Frost may nip early spring plantings north of Missouri River. Will KC dodge it?
A cold front moving through the Kansas City region Friday may bring a few sprinkles, but the colder air behind it could bring frost early Saturday north of the Missouri River, putting sensitive plants at risk.
Although Friday will start sunny, clouds will increase in the afternoon as the front moves through the area, according to the National Weather Service.
Light rain or sprinkles could fall across the region, but rainfall amounts should be “extremely light,” the weather service said.
Skies are expected to clear overnight Friday. With winds becoming light, expect temperatures to cool into the 30s by Saturday morning.
The weather service has issued a frost advisory from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. Saturday for portions of northeast Kansas and north-central, northeast, northwest and west-central Missouri, where temperatures are expected to dip as low as 31 degrees, allowing frost to form.
“Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation,” the weather service said. “Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered.”
The Kansas City metro is not included in the advisory because the urban heat island may keep temperatures warmer, according to the weather service. Areas across central Missouri also will see slightly warmer weather.
Temperatures on Friday and Saturday in the metro are expected to be limited to the mid-60s, which is slightly lower than the average of 70 degrees that is typical in early May.
Sunday will be considerably warmer as temperatures are expected to climb to a high of 80 degrees.
Depending on how much moisture is able to return to the area on Sunday, thunderstorms could return to the region Sunday night. Some of the storms could be strong to severe, but the stronger storms are more likely across central Missouri.
The Storm Prediction Center, part of the National Weather Service, has placed portions of central Missouri at a marginal risk of severe weather, Level 1 of 5. The main risks are damaging straight-line winds and large hail.
On-and-off showers and thunderstorms will be possible next week as the metro area enters a period of unsettled weather between Monday and Wednesday. A few storms might be strong to severe again on Monday night.
Temperatures will be near 81 degrees on Monday, and then turn cooler on Tuesday through Thursday after a cold front knocks them back into the mid- to upper 60s.
