Extreme cold with sub-zero temperatures freezes Kansas City. How much snow is possible?

Kendrick Calfee, The Kansas City Star on Feb 18, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City woke up to light snow accumulation Tuesday morning, but can expect more of it to come as snowfall amounts are predicted to reach 3 to 5 inches in most of the metro, according to the National Weather Service.

While snow accumulation continues, dangerous cold wind chills are in the forecast. The winter storm already brought a record low temperature in Pleasant Hill Tuesday morning, with a reading of -1 degrees, the weather service said on X, formerly Twitter.

Several advisories have been put out by the NWS in advance of this week’s storm. Meteorologists are watching out for extreme cold through at least Thursday, when wind chill values as low as 25 below zero are possible in much of the metro.

A winter storm warning is in effect until midnight Wednesday. Snowfall amounts between 3 and 8 inches spanning from east, central and northeast Kansas and central and west-central Missouri are predicted.

In Kansas City, the heaviest snow is expected in the late morning, continuing into the afternoon and evening.

Law enforcement agencies have advised Tuesday morning that snow is beginning to cover roads. Travel could be difficult, with reduced visibility on the roads impacting the Tuesday morning and evening commutes.

While authorities advise against travel Tuesday, those who must get out and about are asked to take proper precautions. Travelers should keep a flashlight, water, food and blankets in their vehicles. Getting stranded in extreme cold is immediately dangerous, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said on X.

Dangerous wind chills in Kansas City area

Arctic air sweeping the region will mean severe cold for at least three days this week.

The coldest wind chill values for the metro area, -10 to -25 degrees, will come Tuesday through Thursday, according to the NWS forecast.

The forecast wind chills can cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. Anyone who must go outside is advised to wear appropriate clothing and dress in layers, including a hat, face mask, and gloves.

Frozen water pipes are a hazard during the dangerous cold. Wrapping pipes with insulation or allowing faucets to drip slowly can help prevent them from freezing.

Authorities advise pets should be kept indoors as much as possible.

By Friday, the extreme cold period will end and warmer air will make its way into the metro by the weekend, the weather service predicts. By Sunday, temperatures could be in the 40s.