Kansas City, MO – After weeks of dry conditions, Kansas City residents may finally see some relief as a light rain system moves into the metro area this week, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The forecast, however, indicates that the most substantial and beneficial rainfall will arrive later in the week.
Dry Spell in the Metro
Since September 1, the Kansas City metro has received only 3.69 inches of rain, falling well short of the 8.33 inches typically expected during this period. Rainfall this month has been nearly nonexistent, leaving the region increasingly vulnerable to drought conditions.
Meteorologists note that a fast-moving weather system will move through Kansas City on Monday, bringing breezy conditions with southeast wind gusts near 25 mph. Scattered showers may accompany the winds, but precipitation is expected to be light, and not all areas in the metro will see rain. Central and eastern Missouri are forecasted to have the best chances for rainfall.
Monday Forecast: Breezy With Scattered Showers
NWS officials predict rainfall totals on Monday to remain below 0.10 inches, with isolated thunderstorms possible but expected to remain sub-severe. Rain chances are approximately 10% in the morning and early afternoon, increasing slightly to 15–20% from 6 p.m. to midnight.
Temperatures will vary across the metro, with highs in the low 60s, while areas south of Interstate 70 could reach the upper 60s. Northern Missouri may experience cooler conditions due to lingering cloud cover, with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to low 60s, compared to low 60s to low 70s south of U.S. 36.
Midweek Weather: Widespread Rain Expected
Residents should prepare for more substantial rainfall later in the week, starting Wednesday night and continuing into early Saturday.
The heaviest rain and best chances for widespread showers and storms are expected on Thursday, with rain probabilities climbing from 20% Wednesday evening to 55–60% on Thursday, according to The Kansas City Star.
Rain chances will gradually taper on Friday, from 60% in the morning to 40% in the afternoon and 20% by evening. The metro has a 38% chance of receiving an inch or more of rain from Thursday through Friday overnight.
Temperatures will remain mild throughout the week, with expected highs of low 60s on Wednesday, mid-60s on Thursday, and cooling to mid-50s by Friday. For reference, the average temperature for Kansas City this time of year is approximately 51 degrees.
Weekend Outlook: Sunshine Returns
Following the midweek wet weather, the weekend forecast calls for a return to sunny conditions, with highs in the low 50s on Saturday and upper 50s on Sunday.
Residents are advised to stay updated with daily forecasts and plan accordingly for wet conditions later this week. Those traveling or commuting should take extra caution during heavy rain or thunderstorms, particularly in areas prone to flash flooding.
What do you think about the upcoming rain in Kansas City? Will it be enough to ease the drought? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
