Weather In Kansas City

Every city seems to have some interesting meteorological quirk that often you don't even hear about until your home is already bought and paid for. Halifax is subject to dense fog banks that roll in over the harbor without notice, stranding people on their own backyard decks, Vancouverites often don't see the sun for weeks at a time unless it's the middle of the summer, and Florida has tropical storms and hurricanes. To help you get an accurate picture of the year-round weather patterns of Kansas City at both the normal and extreme ends of the spectrum, we've commissioned this article.

Geographical Situation

Kansas City, for the most part, perches atop a series of bluffs overlooking the Missouri River much in the same way Bennington Heights presides over the lower parts of Toronto. Because of this only some parts of the city are in danger of flooding during spring runoff season or in bigger storms, so make sure you have the appropriate insurance. The presence of the river, however, does give a moderating influence to the weather patterns, which are of a continental bent considering Kansas City is near the exact geographical center of the country.

Climate Classification and Normal Weather Patterns

Kansas City's climate is classified as humid continental. Precipitation is generally moderate, much like you could expect anywhere that is similarly inland, such as Middlesex Ontario. Real estate therefore is occasionally in danger of roof leaks and basement flooding but not often. Temperatures tend to be very hot in the summer, around 100 degrees Fahrenheit, with accompanying humidity from the Gulf of Mexico, while winters can be bitterly cold, around or below freezing, which results in snow and ice.

Extreme Weather

The most famous aspect of Kansas City's weather, however, is its tornados. Kansas City is located at the heart of a region that cuts a swath through Canada and the United States known as Tornado Alley. In this region, developments like Trinity Bellwoods real estate would be required to have underground shelters for its residents and trailer parks would have to have tie-down provisions. This is because severe thunderstorms often result in powerful hail, ice storms, funnel clouds, and tornados. The peculiar Tornado Alley situation results from cold air coming over the Rocky Mountains violently colliding with warm air coming up from the Gulf of Mexico.

Tornado Safety

Just like Oshawa homes run the risk of being torn apart and distributed amongst some farmers' fields up at the northern tip of Tornado Alley, Kansas City in the middle has the same fears. While Kansas City and its environs are only occasionally hit by tornados, precautions should be taken. Your primary danger in a tornado is being hit by wind-driven objects, so always make sure you have somewhere sheltered to go: a basement, an underground shelter, or even a room without windows. Have a radio or TV on at all times during a thunderstorm to keep an eye out for tornado alerts. Since severe storms are often accompanied by power outages, also make sure to have battery powered lights and radios along with emergency food and first aid equipment. Never try to outrun a Tornado in your car. Instead pull over, get out and take shelter under a bridge or lie in a ditch.