Honestly, if you've lived in Douglas County for more than a week, you know the drill. You wake up to a windshield covered in ice, and by lunch, you’re seriously considering ditching the coat. It’s a Kansas staple. But right now, the weather forecast Lawrence ks is leaning hard into the "bitter" side of the spectrum.
We are currently sitting at a crisp 19°F as of early Saturday morning, January 17, 2026. If that sounds manageable, wait until you step outside. The wind is kicking in from the northwest at 11 mph, which drags that "feels like" temperature down to a staggering 7°F. It’s the kind of cold that bites your face the second you walk out of Wheatfields with your morning coffee.
The Immediate Outlook: Snow and Shifting Skies
Today—Saturday—is looking like a bit of a mixed bag. We’re expecting a high of only 19°F, matching our current temp, so don't expect much of a thaw. While it’ll be sunny for most of the daylight hours, the clouds move in tonight. There’s a 20% chance of snow during the day and a 10% chance overnight. It’s not exactly a blizzard, but enough to make the sidewalks near campus a little slick.
👉 See also: Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam: Why This Former City Hall Is Still the City’s Best Stay
The wind is the real story today. It’s gusting up to 17 mph.
Then comes Sunday. Kansas weather loves a good plot twist. Tomorrow, the high jumps all the way up to 43°F. That is a 24-degree swing in 24 hours. If you’re planning a walk through the Baker Wetlands, Sunday is your window, though the low will still bottom out at 13°F once the sun goes down.
Looking Ahead: The 10-Day Rollercoaster
If you're trying to plan your week, here is the raw data for Lawrence. No fluff, just the numbers you need to decide if you're wearing the heavy parka or the light puffer.
Monday, Jan 19, brings us back down to earth with a high of 23°F and a cloudy sky. It’s going to feel grey. But by Tuesday, Jan 20, we’re back up to 46°F. Basically, the atmosphere can't make up its mind.
The midweek stretch stays relatively stable:
📖 Related: Map of Uttar Pradesh in India Explained (Simply)
- Wednesday, Jan 21: Partly sunny, high of 45°F, low of 23°F.
- Thursday, Jan 22: Mostly cloudy, high of 38°F, low of 23°F.
- Friday, Jan 23: Partly sunny, high of 41°F, low of 23°F.
Things get a little dicey toward the end of next week. Next Saturday, Jan 24, we’re looking at snow showers with a high of 29°F. The following Sunday and Monday (Jan 25-26) look even colder, with highs struggling to break 20°F and 27°F respectively.
Why Lawrence Weather is Historically Weird
Lawrence sits in a unique spot. We’re in that "humid subtropical" transition zone, which is a fancy way of saying we get the moisture from the Gulf and the freezing Arctic blasts from the north. Historically, January is our coldest month. While our average high is usually around 39°F, we’ve seen years where it stays below zero for days.
The National Weather Service out of Topeka often points out that our proximity to the Kansas River can sometimes create localized fog or slightly different accumulation patterns than our neighbors in Overland Park or Topeka.
Back in March 2025, the city had to prep for a massive winter storm with 70 mph winds. While we aren't seeing that kind of violence in the current weather forecast Lawrence ks, the volatility is always there. Last July, we saw rainfall totals nearly three inches above average. In Kansas, "average" is just a suggestion.
Survival Tips for a Lawrence Winter
- The Layers Are Non-Negotiable: With 20-degree swings between Sunday and Monday, keep a "car coat" handy.
- Humidity Matters: Even in winter, our humidity is sitting around 48% right now. That damp cold settles in your bones way worse than a dry Colorado cold.
- Watch the Wind: A 17 mph wind in 19-degree weather is a recipe for frostbite if you're out for more than 30 minutes.
Keep an eye on the northwest wind today. It’s going to be the deciding factor in how much you actually enjoy being outside. If you're heading downtown, maybe stick to the shops on the west side of Massachusetts Street to stay out of the direct gusts.
Actionable Insights:
Check your tire pressure this morning; these 7-degree wind chills cause sensors to go haywire. If you're traveling Monday, Jan 26, keep an eye on that 6°F low—it's the coldest night in the current 10-day window.