Weather in Kansas City, Kansas
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Thunderstorm—89°66°
- SundayMay 17Overcast21%88°72°
- MondayMay 18Thunderstorm60%83°63°
- TuesdayMay 19Light Showers91%74°53°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—66°48°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast20%65°51°
- FridayMay 22Light Drizzle31%67°55°
- PM 2.5
- 6.4 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 7.2 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 9.4 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 65.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 11:12 AM
- Moonset
- 1:56 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Kansas City at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 3°F above the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 11 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Warm-season window is open
As of May 17, the last spring frost has passed for most years. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, and cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons) now. Direct-sow beans and corn into warm soil.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Kansas City's warmest temperatures (~78°F mean) while January delivers the coldest (~30°F). May produces peak rainfall at 5.4 inches, contrasting with January's low of 1.1 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30° | 1.1″ | 2 |
| February | 35° | 1.4″ | 3 |
| March | 45° | 2.3″ | 5 |
| April | 55° | 3.9″ | 7 |
| May | 65° | 5.4″ | 8 |
| June | 74° | 5.2″ | 7 |
| July | 78° | 4.2″ | 5 |
| August | 77° | 4.4″ | 5 |
| September | 68° | 3.5″ | 5 |
| October | 57° | 3.0″ | 6 |
| November | 44° | 2.0″ | 3 |
| December | 34° | 1.4″ | 2 |
Regional context
Kansas City falls within a humid subtropical climate region. This classification connects the city with nearby areas that share similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions.
Similar climates: Wichita, KS, Overland Park, KS, Topeka, KS, Olathe, KS, Lawrence, KS.
Naturalist notes
Late May brings the peak blooming period for native prairie roses across Kansas City's grasslands.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds typically arrive in Kansas City during the third week of April.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Kansas City?
- Kansas City's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Kansas City?
- May is the wettest month with about 5.4 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 38 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Kansas City?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 78°F.
- What is the coldest month in Kansas City?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 30°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Kansas City?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-April); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Kansas City get?
- Kansas City averages about 59 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Kansas City?
- Kansas City's USDA hardiness zone is determined by its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Kansas City, Kansas experiences a humid subtropical climate zone. January temperatures hover near 30°F while July averages 78°F, creating a 48°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 38 inches across roughly 59 rainy days throughout the year.
Weather patterns here follow the city's latitude (39.1°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These factors determine what grows locally, when frost occurs, and daily weather conditions.