Back-to-back winter storms target Kansas City area. Here are early snowfall predictions

Cooler weather and drizzle are expected to move into the Kansas City area on Friday, but two snowstorms next week could have a more significant impact, according to the National Weather Service.

The month of February got off to a warm start in Kansas City, with the average temperature being about nine degrees above normal. The metro’s average temperature for the first seven days is typically 30.4 degrees.

The temperature will return to normal on Friday, with the metro seeing a high of 41 degrees.

“Expect drizzle to develop and push northward as moisture surges into the area,” the weather service said. “Drizzle should stay south of I-70 through the evening.”

The drizzle will then spread over much of the Kansas City area overnight. The weather service said temperatures should fall below freezing along and north of U.S. 36 highway across northern Missouri, leading to the potential for light freezing drizzle. There is a 40-60% possibility of .01 inch of ice generally along and north of U.S. 36 highway and east of U.S. 71 highway.

“Could see some minor travel impacts tonight (Friday) into Saturday morning in these favored areas,” the weather service said.

The weather service advises drivers to use caution and provide extra time to travel in that area.

All precipitation is expected to end by the afternoon, leaving a dry forecast until Monday afternoon, the weather service said.

Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-40s Saturday and the mid-30s Sunday after a cold front passes through.

Colder temperature, accumulating snow in KC’s forecast

“Attention then turns to snowfall potential starting late Monday,” the weather service said. “At this time, (forecast) models favor a couple rounds of snowfall next week as a series of disturbances move through the area.”

The weather service said the first snowstorm is expected to arrive Monday night into Tuesday, with the second arriving late Tuesday and continuing through late Wednesday.

The first winter storm brings a 50-70% chance of snow to the area. The weather service said the storm’s timing will likely impact the Tuesday morning commute the most.

The timing of the second storm will likely impact the morning and evening commutes on Wednesday.

Early look at potential snowfall totals

“Forecasting exact snowfall amounts is difficult at this time,” the weather service said.

Although snowfall totals will likely change the closer the storms get, the weather service provided snowfall probabilities.

For Monday’s storm:

• 40-60% for snowfall totals exceeding 1 inch.

• 20-40% for snowfall totals exceeding 2 inches.

• 10-30% for snowfall totals exceeding 4 inches.

The heaviest snow will fall north and west of Kansas City.

For the Tuesday and Wednesday storm:

• 40-70% chance of snowfall totals exceeding 2 inches.

• 30-50% chance of snowfall totals exceeding 4 inches.

• 15-30% chance of snowfall totals exceeding 6 inches.

The lowest snowfall totals will be over the southern and eastern parts of the Kansas City forecast area.

“Snow totals still uncertain, but at least 2-3” possible,” the weather service said.

Bitter cold will accompany the storms, with overnight temperatures falling to the teens to low 20s Monday night and the single digits to teens each night on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Daytime temperatures will be 38 degrees on Monday, mainly in the 20s Tuesday through Thursday.