Honestly, if you've lived in the metro for more than a week, you know the drill. Kansas City weather is a mood. One day you’re looking for your heavy puffer coat, and the next, you’re wondering if it’s weird to wear shorts to Joe’s KC for lunch. But right now? Yeah, winter is definitely leaning in.
We are currently staring down a 5 day weather forecast kansas city missouri that starts with a legitimate punch of Arctic air before teased with a bit of a warmup. If you were hoping for a mild stretch to get some yard work done or finally wash the road salt off your car, you might want to check the timing. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster.
The Immediate Shiver
Today, Saturday, January 17, is basically the definition of "stay inside and order a pizza." We are looking at a high of only 17°F. That’s it. That’s the peak. And with a northwest wind kicking around 16 mph, it feels a whole lot colder. Currently, as the sun goes down, it’s hovering at 13°F, but the "feels like" is sitting at a brutal 0°F.
It’s clear tonight, which is pretty, but that just means there’s no cloud blanket to trap what little heat we have. We’re bottoming out at 11°F overnight.
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Sunday: The Great Tease
Tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, is going to be a weird one. The high jumps all the way up to 39°F. In any other month, that would be cold, but after a Saturday in the teens? It’s practically tropical.
Don't get too excited, though. The wind is shifting to the west and picking up speed to about 17 mph. That breeze is going to bite. Even with the sun peeking out, it won't feel like a spring day. Plus, we’re looking at a low of 10°F Sunday night.
Monday and the Mid-Week Bounce
Monday, January 19, takes us back down a notch. The high will only hit 23°F under sunny skies. It’s that crisp, dry winter air that makes your knuckles crack just looking at it. The low will drop to 9°F.
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Then, the script flips again:
- Tuesday, January 20: We climb back up to 44°F. Mostly cloudy, but manageable.
- Wednesday, January 21: A high of 45°F with some sun.
There is a small 20% chance of snow on Wednesday, but it’s looking more like a "dusting" than a "snow day."
Living with the KC Cold
Kansas City in January isn't just about the numbers on the screen. It's about the humidity—which is sitting around 40% to 53% this week—making the air feel heavy and damp even when it's freezing.
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If you're new here, local experts (and seasoned grandmas) will tell you to keep your faucets dripping when it stays below 25°F. Frozen pipes are a nightmare nobody wants to deal with on a Tuesday morning. Also, watch out for those northwest winds. They sweep across the plains and hit the city hard, especially if you’re walking between buildings downtown.
The 5 day weather forecast kansas city missouri shows us exactly why we call it the "Missouri compromise." We get a little bit of everything. Frigid lows, manageable afternoon highs, and just enough wind to keep you honest.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your tire pressure. This kind of temperature swing—from 11°F to 39°F—will make your sensor go off.
- Layer up. Sunday might look "warm" at 39°F, but that 17 mph wind will make a mockery of a light jacket.
- Watch the Wednesday commute. Even a 20% chance of snow in Kansas City can turn I-435 into a parking lot if the timing is wrong.
- Hydrate. Winter air in the Midwest is notoriously dry; keep your skin and yourself hydrated to avoid that January slump.
Enjoy the sun while it lasts, KC. It's cold, but at least it's not snowing... yet.