textproduct: Kansas City/Pleasant Hill

KEY MESSAGES

- Critical fire weather conditions continue this afternoon with a Red Flag Warning in effect for east central Kansas into Central Missouri through 8pm CST. Elevated fire weather conditions are expected elsewhere.

- Cooler temperatures arrive this evening behind a cold front, with near to below normal temperatures through the weekend and into Monday. 50-95+% chance of measurable snowfall across northwestern MO this evening.

- Low end chances (20% to 30%) for some light snow overnight Friday into early Saturday morning. Little to no accumulation expected at this time.

- Warmer temperatures are likely to return by Tuesday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1259 PM CST Thu Feb 19 2026

A 500-hPa longwave trough is positioned over the western half of the CONUS with several shortwaves embedded within the pattern. At the surface, a low-pressure system is tracking overhead bringing a wide variety of weather to the area this afternoon. South of the warm front, which is currently draped along a line from downtown Kansas City to Chillicothe to Macon, temperatures are in the upper 60s and lower 70s with relative humidity values dropping below 25% this afternoon. These conditions, along with strong and gusty winds have created fire weather concerns this afternoon and a Red Flag Warning is effect through 8pm CST. North of the warm front, temperatures are struggling to get above 60F with far northwestern MO barely cracking 40F. As the low progresses to the east this afternoon, a tight pressure gradient will result in winds gusting to 30-40 mph this evening and overnight. The cold front will advance across the southern portion of the area late this afternoon and this evening leading to temperatures falling into the low-to-mid 20s areawide tonight (far northwestern MO may reach into the teens).

Most of the area will remain dry tonight, however, areas in northern MO, particularly along the MO/IA border, will likely see some snowfall as the system exits the area, however, snowfall totals will stay light. NBM probabilities show a 50-95+% chance of measurable snowfall (0.1") along and north of US-36 with a 50-70% chance of 0.5" along and north of line from Mound City to Bethany to Lancaster. Areas north of US-136 and west of US-71 have a 50-60% chance of seeing 1" of snow.

The backside of the system will move out of the area tomorrow allowing the pressure gradient to loosen and winds to die down a bit as surface high pressure builds across the Central Plains. Northwesterly winds will hold temperatures in the upper 30s and lower 40s tomorrow in the wake of the cold frontal passage.

Another shortwave progresses through the pattern tomorrow, bringing a chance (25-35%) for some light snow to the area tomorrow evening and into the overnight hours. The best forcing will remain west of the area and with dry air in the low levels looking to inhibit the snow showers from reaching the ground, most will not see much more than a dusting. NBM probabilities show a 30-50% chance of areas along and west of I-29 to see measurable snowfall by Saturday morning.

Once this system exits, northwest flow will dominate into next week with 500-hPa ridging over the western CONUS and a trough over the eastern CONUS, keeping high temperatures in the upper 30s and lower 40s and low temperatures in the teens and lower 20s. By Tuesday the ridge axis will shift east and high temperatures will warm back into the upper 50s and lower 60s for the remainder of the forecast period.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 527 PM CST Thu Feb 19 2026

MVFR stratus is building into the region accompanied with gusty northwest winds. The stratus will gradually lift into the VFR range after 06Z tonight, with the gusty winds relaxing within a few hours of sunrise.

EAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MO...Red Flag Warning until 8 PM CST this evening for MOZ031>033- 038>040-043>046-053-054. KS...Red Flag Warning until 8 PM CST this evening for KSZ060.