KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI — Kansas City opens Thursday on a calmer note than earlier this week, with morning temperatures near 49°F and a mix of sun and clouds across the metro.
The bigger change comes later in the day, when thicker cloud cover, a 40% rain chance, and a few thunderstorms move back into the picture. The afternoon high is expected to reach about 66°F.
This does not look like an all-day washout. The first half of Thursday stays fairly manageable, but the forecast turns more unsettled from midafternoon into the evening.
Hourly guidance shows temperatures climbing through the 50s and low 60s before showers become more likely later in the day, followed by a cooler drop tonight.
Late showers return after a quiet start
Overnight, Kansas City stayed on the cool side. Observations at Kansas City Downtown Airport showed 48°F just after 12:50 a.m., 46°F just before 4 a.m., and 46°F just before 6 a.m., with fair to mostly cloudy conditions during that stretch.
That quieter overnight setup gives way to a grayer and slightly wetter second half of the day.
The table below combines those overnight airport observations with the latest hourly forecast for the rest of Thursday across Kansas City.
| Time | Temperature | Conditions | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 48°F | Fair / Mostly Clear | Calm |
| 3:00 AM | 46°F | Fair / Clear | Calm |
| 6:00 AM | 46°F | Mostly Cloudy | Calm |
| 9:00 AM | 53°F | Mostly Cloudy | SW 6 mph |
| 12:00 PM | 62°F | Cloudy | WSW 11 mph |
| 3:00 PM | 64°F | Few Showers | W 12 mph |
| 6:00 PM | 63°F | Cloudy / Spotty Rain Chance | NW 10 mph |
| 9:00 PM | 56°F | Cloudy | N 9 mph |
| 11:00 PM | 52°F | Partly Cloudy | N 6 mph |
Thursday has a split feel to it. The morning and early afternoon are mild enough for errands or outdoor plans, but the second half of the day carries the better chance of getting wet.
Even where rain stays brief, clouds and a west-to-northwest wind shift keep the day from feeling especially warm.
Tonight is where the forecast flips more clearly. After the late-day rain chance fades, Kansas City drops to around 41°F, with cooler air settling in and skies gradually clearing overnight.
That sets up a much chillier finish than the afternoon high might suggest.
Overall, Kansas City’s weather today is quiet early, cloudier and a bit wetter late, then noticeably cooler tonight. The main thing to watch is the late-afternoon and evening shower window, not a full-day rainout.
Read More: Kansas City April 2026 Weather Forecast and Outlook: Warm Spells, Repeated Rain Chances, and a Wide Temperature Range Across the Metro
