The best time to visit Kansas City, MO, is in the late spring and the summer. The months between May and September offer visitors warm weather, and the city comes alive with popular attractions and events.
Kansas City has a humid continental climate, giving you all the best bits of each season. In KC, you can expect blooming springs and golden falls, warm summers, and snowy winters.
With distinct seasons, any visit to the “Heart of America” will be a memorable experience. Unpick what you want from your trip with this complete Kansas City weather guide and learn the pros and cons of each season and month.
Got more travel plans on the horizon? Check out our other weather & when to go guides and our Missouri Travel Guide for more tips & recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do on your vacation!
Weather in Kansas City, MO
By season
Spring
Spring is a beautiful time to visit Kansas City. Colorful flowers come out of hiding, and the cool wintry temperatures melt away. Embrace the spring foliage at Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden or visit Loose Park Rose Garden to see hundreds of different roses in bloom.
The humidity of the summer hasn’t arrived, making spring a great time for outdoor activities. Make the most of the pretty nearby hiking opportunities or cover more ground by seeing the city by bicycle. With big baseball, soccer, and NCAA basketball matches in the spring, it’s a great time to visit KC for sports lovers.
Since Kansas City is in Tornado Alley, it often gets hit with severe weather. Especially in the spring, pay attention to weather warnings and have a plan B in place if stormy weather hits. As always, get the right travel insurance to cover you when things go wrong.
Summer
The summers in Kansas City are warm and humid. Almost every activity shifts outside, perfect if you love the al fresco lifestyle. From art festivals to buzzing concerts, the city’s events schedule is stuffed to the brim. Foodies will be in heaven in summer, too, as the BBQ culture comes out in full force.
With so much happening, visitors and locals flock to Downtown Kansas City. Schools are out, and everyone is making the most of their vacations. Summer is a great time to travel to KC if you love a buzzing city and don’t mind the crowds. Remember, though, that prices might be higher and you should book everything in advance to avoid disappointment.
With the influx of visitors and the sticky weather, many travelers will want to look for ways to cool down. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to refresh around Kansas City. Make a splash at the city’s many pools and water parks or escape to the nearby lakes and rivers.
Fall
If you’re looking for a quintessential fall experience, spend it in Kansas City. Leaves are tinted with vivid reds and oranges, giving the top tourist attractions in Kansas City a warm glow.
The city’s scenic areas are even more picturesque, but it doesn’t get hit with the same cold snap as other US cities. This means you can get in a cozy autumnal mood without having to shiver.
Temperatures stay pleasant in the daytime, with a good chance of blue skies. But you should pack some extra layers as it gets chilly when the sun goes down.
Make the most of the adorable seasonal events and get your taste buds ready for winter with pumpkin-spiced treats. With fun activities like apple picking and pumpkin patches to look forward to, you’ll be counting down the days to wear your knitted sweater!
Winter
Get a classic festive atmosphere in Kansas City by planning a winter vacation. As the temperatures fall and the snow flurries appear, the streets of KC take on a magical ambiance. Parks and major attractions become icy palaces warmed by twinkling lights and decorations.
With icy conditions and chilly winds, it’s the perfect excuse to wear all your favorite winter gear. And if you need a new winter coat, you can make the most of Kansas City’s wonderful shopping opportunities.
Wrap up and throw yourself into fun winter activities like ice skating and sledding. Or retreat to the warmth. Immerse yourself in KC’s world-class museums, where you can explore art, history, and science, or hideaway in a bustling cafe and roast chestnuts by roaring fireplaces.
Winter is the low season in Kansas City. You’ll get better deals on flights and accommodations at the most popular KC hotels and can explore the city without the crowds. Remember: Some attractions close in the winter months, so you might not get to cross everything off your KC bucket list.
By month
January
January is the coldest month of the year in Kansas City, with average highs of 41°F (5°C) and lows of 24°F (-4°C). Snow continues to fall, reaching an average of 3.2 inches by the end of the month.
This winter month is a quiet time for the city. There aren’t a lot of events in January, but businesses try to pull in punters with promotions like Restaurant Week. Meal deals and discounted menus make this a good opportunity to sample Kansas City’s superb food scene.
February
Temperatures in KC warm up in February but only by around 10°F (5.6°C). Average highs are 52°F (11°C), and lows are at 32°F (0°C). Snowfall eases up, dropping to 1.8 inches by the end of the month, but rainfall increases from an average of 0.8 inches to 1.5 inches. You’ll want to wear comfortable waterproof boots to keep your feet sheltered from the elements.
There are some classic seasonal events happening this month. The Power and Light District is awash with color for Mardi Gras. If you’re in Kansas City with your significant other, many of its top restaurants have Valentine’s Day promotions.
March
The harsh winter shows signs of softening in March. Average highs reach 62°F (17°C), and lows are at 43°F (6°C). The chance of snow thins throughout the month, ending with an average of 0.3 inches. You’ll want to pack an umbrella, though, as the average rainfall shoots up to 2.7 inches.
With a long Irish heritage, you’ll find a river of green for the St Patrick’s Day parade. The Power & Light District goes basketball crazy in March when the T-Mobile Center hosts major NCAA basketball matches. More sports fever grips the city when the Kansas City Royals start their season in late March.
April
Spring is in the air in April, with average temperatures of 53°F to 72°F (12°C to 22°C). Expect frequent April showers, with an average rainfall of 4.2 inches. The wet weather brings blossoming foliage that pulls the city out of its winter slumber.
Escape the rain at the Kansas City Film Festival. It’s a chance to get a taste of diverse independent films from around the world.
Or delve into Missouri’s decadent 1920s past at Gatsby Days. Every year the nearby city of Excelsior Springs hosts an emporium of street performers, musicians, classic cars, and vintage style, all with a roaring 20s theme.
May
You’ll have glorious sightseeing weather in May, with average temperatures at 63°F to 80°F (17°C to 27°C). You’ll get clear, or mostly clear, skies 57% of the time, and the sun stays out more often as you progress through the month. The humidity is also ramping up, though, increasing from 3% to 23% by the end of May.
Beer lovers will want to snag tickets to the KC Summer Brew Fest. Over 60 breweries take over Arrowhead Stadium, giving you the chance to party on a playing field.
June
In June, summer has hit, with average temperatures rising to 71°F to 88°F (22°C to 31°C). You can expect clear skies 67% of the time, and average rain falls to 4.3 inches by the end of the month. The chance of a muggy day shoots up, rising from 24% to 61%.
You’ll be in for a feast at the Kansas City BBQ Festival. This weekend grill fest is full of eating contests, cooking contests, live music—and, of course, loads of mouth-watering meats. You could also check out Boulevardia, an epic street festival in the Crown Center area of Downtown KC, celebrating music, beer, and food.
July
July is a sticky month in Kansas City, with average temperatures at 72°F to 89°F (22°C to 32°C) and the chance of a humid day rising to 63%. This often boils over into afternoon thunderstorms and sudden downpours, but on average, the amount of rainfall decreases throughout the month.
Jump into Kansas City’s thriving arts scene at the KC Fringe Festival. For two weeks, the city comes alive with theater, dance, and music, as well as film and visual arts. Or, for another event brimming with color, check out the annual Festival of Butterflies at Powell Gardens.
August
August offers similar weather to July, with average highs reaching 86°F (30°C) and lows of 68°F (20°C). But the humidity starts to disappear, reaching 46% by the end of the month.
Make the most of the warm weather with lots of outdoor events and festivals. You’ll find lots of family-friendly entertainment at Parkville Days, including a carnival, face painting, and live entertainment.
Celebrate Kansas City’s multicultural citizens at the Ethnic Enrichment Festival, where you can try the foods, watch the dances, and listen to the music from different cultures in the area.
September
September is cooler in Kansas City, with pleasant temperatures of around 56°F to 75°F (13°C to 24°C). The humidity is a distant memory, with the chance of a muggy day falling to 10% by the end of the month.
Step back in time at the KC Renaissance Festival. Throughout the month and into October, you can take part in medieval fare. Watch a jousting tournament, dress in traditional attire, or shop at the village marketplace.
You could also celebrate the city’s Irish heritage at Irish Fest, with traditional food, drink, and activities for the whole family.
October
An October in Kansas City is fresh and mild. Average lows are 45°F (7°C), while average highs reach a comfortable 62°F (17°C). Clear, crisp mornings and gorgeous fall foliage make this a glorious time to explore the city.
You can take part in fabulous Halloween and Octoberfest celebrations or visit classic fall attractions like corn mazes and apple orchards. Bring in the harvest season at Powell Gardens with wholesome activities at Cornucopia.
As well as the Renaissance Festival, enjoy more historical fun at the Missouri Town Fall Festival, an adorable throwback to the 1800s.
November
Things cool off in November. Average daily lows plunge to 33°F (1°C), and average highs are just 49°F (9°C). You might get to see the first snow on the ground, with average snowfall reaching 1.5 inches by the end of the month. It starts to get cloudier, but you’ll still have mostly clear conditions 60% of the time.
Kansas City becomes a twinkling oasis with various holiday lighting ceremonies taking place across the city. Thousands of lights across the 15-block Country Club Plaza create a magical extravaganza. They celebrate the switch-on with live entertainment and fireworks.
December
December is chilly, with average temperatures at 25°F to 40°F (-4°C to 4°C). You can keep your fingers crossed for a winter wonderland. Snow is common, and the average snowfall reaches 2.6 inches by the end of the month.
The Merry Market transforms Kansas City’s City Market in the River Market area into a world of festive cheer. Get unique last-minute gifts from small local businesses and snack on tasty holiday treats.
Worlds of Fun goes beyond its summer season for Winter Fest with over five million lights, horse & carriage rides, and live shows.
