KANSAS CITY, Missouri — One long-range forecast is showing a powerful storm system spinning up over the middle of the country around Saturday November 21 and Sunday November 22. The storm’s center is shown sitting just west of Kansas City, with snow wrapping around its northwest side and a long line of storms stretching from the Upper Midwest to the Gulf Coast. It is still about 11 days away, so this is an early look, not a final forecast.
Key Numbers at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Storm timing | 7:00 PM Saturday November 21 to 1:00 AM Sunday November 22 |
| Storm center | Just west of Kansas City |
| Days away | About 11 days |
| Snow zone | Nebraska, the Dakotas and western Minnesota |
| Storm line | Minneapolis through St. Louis to New Orleans and Houston |
| Forecast confidence | Low, since it is based on one long-range forecast run |
Where It Could Hit
If this forecast holds, the storm would affect a huge part of the country:
- Nebraska, the eastern Dakotas and western Minnesota could see snow on the cold northwest side of the storm.
- Minneapolis sits near the northern part of the rain band, close to where rain could change to snow.
- Kansas City sits right near the center of the storm, with rain, strong winds and colder air nearby.
- St. Louis sits inside a long line of rain and thunderstorms moving east.
- Arkansas, Louisiana and East Texas, including Houston and New Orleans, sit along the southern part of the storm line, where some of the heaviest storms are shown.
- Chicago and Detroit sit east of the storm and could see rain move in later.
When to Expect It
- Saturday November 21: The storm strengthens over the central Plains, with strong winds building around Kansas City, St. Louis and Dallas.
- Saturday night: Snow wraps around the storm’s northwest side while a line of storms stretches from Minnesota to the Gulf Coast.
- Early Sunday November 22: The storm’s center sits near Kansas City, with the storm line pushing east.
Why This Is Happening
The forecast shows cold air from Canada clashing with warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico over the central United States. When these two air masses meet, a strong low pressure system can rapidly form and intensify. Cold air on the storm’s back side turns rain into snow, while warm air on its front side fuels thunderstorms.
The forecast also shows strong winds circling the storm a few thousand feet above the ground. When winds that strong mix down toward the surface, they can bring gusty conditions to a wide area.
Why This Forecast Could Change
Forecasts more than a week out often shift a lot. The storm’s track, timing and strength could all change in the coming days. A small change in where the storm forms could move the snow and storms hundreds of miles in either direction. Our team will watch to see if other forecasts start to show the same setup.
What This Means for You
If this storm develops as shown, it could affect travel heading into the busy week before Thanksgiving. Snow in the Plains and upper Midwest could make roads slick, while strong storms in the South could bring heavy rain and gusty winds. Airports in cities like Kansas City, St. Louis, Minneapolis and Dallas could see delays.
For now, there is no need to change plans. Just keep an eye on the forecast as the weekend gets closer.
How to Stay Safe and Prepared
- Check the forecast regularly over the next week as details become clearer.
- Plan flexible travel if you are heading through the central United States around November 21 and 22.
- Prepare your car for winter with good tires, wiper blades and an emergency kit.
- Secure outdoor items ahead of possible strong winds.
- Keep weather alerts turned on in case storm warnings are issued later.
Boxingessential.com will continue tracking the possible powerful storm across Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri and Louisiana, including Kansas City, St. Louis, Minneapolis and New Orleans, and will provide updates as the storm track, snow chances and timing develop.
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