If you’ve lived in Lee's Summit for more than a week, you know the drill. You walk out the door in a heavy parka at 7:00 AM, and by noon, you’re wondering why on earth you didn't wear a t-shirt. It’s a Missouri staple. Honestly, the weather for Lee's Summit is less of a "forecast" and more of a suggestion that changes its mind every few hours.
Right now, as we sit in mid-January 2026, things are staying true to form. It's currently a crisp 33°F outside. With the wind kicking in from the southwest at 11 mph, that "feels like" temperature is actually sitting at 25°F. It’s clear tonight, which is a nice break, but don't get too comfortable.
The Weird Science of the Lee's Summit "Bubble"
Most people think Lee's Summit just mimics whatever is happening at KCI airport. They’re wrong. Because we’re sitting at a slightly higher elevation—around 1,000 feet—we often deal with wind patterns and "micro-climates" that skip over the downtown KCMO valley.
Have you ever noticed it’s snowing here while it’s just raining in Independence? That’s not your imagination. It’s the elevation and the inland continental position clashing. We get the full brunt of those Arctic blasts coming down from the plains, but we also get the sticky, moist air shoving up from the Gulf of Mexico. When they meet over Longview Lake, things get interesting.
Take a look at the next few days. It's a classic Missouri rollercoaster:
- Friday, Jan 16: We’re looking at a high of 40°F with some light snow possible. But check the wind—northwest at 20 mph. That’s going to bite.
- Saturday, Jan 17: The bottom drops out. The high is only 20°F, and the low is 10°F. If you have outdoor plans, maybe don't.
- Sunday, Jan 18: Back up to 42°F.
Basically, you’re swinging 20 degrees in 24 hours. That is Lee's Summit weather in a nutshell.
Humidity and the "Real Feel" Factor
Humidity here is a sneaky beast. In the summer, it makes 90°F feel like 105°F. In the winter? It makes 30°F feel like it's boring a hole through your bones. Currently, the humidity is at 56%. That’s high enough to make the air feel "heavy" even when it's freezing.
Historically, January is our coldest month, averaging a high of 40°F and a low of 24°F. But "average" is a bit of a lie in Missouri. We rarely actually hit the average. We’re usually ten degrees above it or fifteen degrees below it, briefly passing the "average" on the way up or down.
Severe Weather: It’s Not Just About Snow
While everyone focuses on the snow totals in January, the real Lee's Summit veterans are watching the spring forecast. We average about 40 inches of precipitation a year. Most of that comes in May and June during those legendary thunderstorms.
Since 1970, regional studies show our average temperatures have climbed nearly 2°F. It doesn't sound like much until you realize it's shifting our "freeze line." We’re seeing more ice storms and "wintry mixes" than the clean, fluffy snowfalls we used to get. Ice is way worse. It takes down the trees in the older neighborhoods and makes the hills on 291 North a nightmare.
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Surviving the Lee's Summit Forecast
You can’t just look at the temperature and call it a day. You have to look at the wind direction. If it’s coming from the Northwest, like it will be this Saturday, you’re getting that dry, brutal cold. If it’s from the South or Southwest, like it is tonight (Jan 15), it's a bit more manageable.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the "Feels Like" Wind Chill: On Saturday, Jan 17, the actual high is 20°F, but with 16 mph winds, the wind chill will likely stay in the single digits. Limit skin exposure if you're heading to the Farmers Market site or downtown.
- Prepare for the Friday "Dusting": There’s a 20% to 25% chance of snow tomorrow. In Lee's Summit, a "dusting" often turns into a messy commute because of how the bridges freeze on I-470.
- Watch the Lows: We’re hitting 10°F Saturday night and 13°F Sunday night. If your outdoor spigots aren't covered, do it now.
- Layering is a Skill: Tomorrow starts at 40°F but drops to 17°F overnight. Don't leave the house without a shell that cuts the wind; the northwest gusts at 20 mph are the real story for Friday.