Kansas City is in the thick of a significant winter storm right now. Dangerous cold temperatures arrived Friday, and on Saturday, we're seeing widespread snow across the area. The Kansas City area can expect between 3 to 5 inches of snow after this storm moves out, with areas south of Kansas City seeing 6 to 7 inches, especially from the second round of snow Saturday evening. The heaviest snow is expected Saturday morning, with the Kansas City metro under a winter storm warning.
What makes this storm particularly dangerous isn't just the snow—it's the cold. Saturday will remain bitterly cold, with a high near 7 degrees and morning wind chills near 25 degrees below zero. When wind chills approach 20 degrees below zero or colder, frostbite can occur on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. This massive winter storm is affecting a much broader region, but Kansas City is feeling the worst of it right now. Missouri's governor has issued a state of emergency.
Snow moved into the area overnight and accumulation is already visible for much of the metro, with some areas west of the viewing area nearing 2 inches of snow while Kansas City has a half an inch as of 6 a.m., and this snow will continue through at least 10 a.m. The biggest break comes after 10:30 a.m. lasting into Saturday afternoon, with the second round of snow expected to arrive around 3 p.m. and last until around 11 p.m. Stay prepared—the city has activated warming centers and shelters, and officials are urging residents to stay off the roads and avoid unnecessary travel until conditions improve.