Thanksgiving in Kansas is a bit of a wild card. Some years, you’ll get away with just a light jacket. Other times, you step outside and instantly remember winter’s creeping up. Most years, chilly mornings, cool afternoons, and a decent shot at rain or even snow—depending on where you are—set the scene.
You’ll spot big differences across the state. Western Kansas usually feels colder and drier. Central and eastern regions get a bit more moisture and tend to stay milder. These shifts can mess with family plans or travel, so it helps to know what’s normal here before the holiday rolls around.
If you look back at past Thanksgivings, you’ll find highs in the 70s some years, and lows that plunge well below freezing in others. That kind of range makes planning around the weather feel almost necessary.
Whether you’re hosting, traveling, or just hanging out, knowing the usual patterns gives you a leg up on whatever Kansas skies decide to dish out.
Typical Thanksgiving Weather in Kansas
Planning for Thanksgiving in Kansas? Expect cool or chilly weather, with a chance for rain or even a dusting of snow. The day can swing a lot, depending on your spot in the state.
Average Temperatures on Thanksgiving Day
Most years, you’ll see daytime highs in the 40s to 50s°F and nighttime lows in the 20s to 30s°F. Kansas is shifting from fall to early winter by then.
Central Kansas—think Wichita or Salina—sometimes warms into the low 50s°F, but winds can keep things brisk. Eastern cities like Chanute might feel a bit warmer. Western Kansas? Usually cooler, no surprise there.
Frost shows up in the mornings. Once the sun sets, evenings turn cold fast. It’s not the worst cold you’ll see all year, but Thanksgiving definitely feels like Kansas is stepping into winter.
Historical Highs and Lows
Kansas weather on Thanksgiving has gone all over the map. Wichita hit 72°F in 1949. Salina got up to 71°F in 2006. On the flip side, Salina dropped to -5°F in 1950, and Wichita saw 5°F in 1976.
Late November keeps you guessing. One year, you’re outside in the 60s. The next, you’re bundled up against the cold.
Here’s a quick look at record temps on November 28 for a few cities:
| City | Warmest | Coldest |
|---|---|---|
| Wichita | 72°F (1949) | 5°F (1976) |
| Salina | 71°F (2006) | -5°F (1950) |
| Chanute | 75°F (1998) | 9°F (1976) |
These numbers make it pretty clear—Kansas can throw just about anything at you for Thanksgiving.
Precipitation Trends and Snowfall
Rain and snow don’t show up every year on Thanksgiving in Kansas, but you can’t rule them out. Most years stay dry, though some have seen measurable rain. Wichita’s wettest Thanksgiving brought 0.79 inches of rain in 1908. Chanute saw 2.25 inches in 1968.
Snow doesn’t fall often, but it happens. Wichita’s snowiest Thanksgiving left 1.8 inches in 1918. Plenty of years, though, pass with no snow at all. Light flurries are pretty common.
Cloudy skies and occasional drizzle show up more than big storms. Still, winter weather can turn on a dime, especially out west or up north. If you’re traveling, checking the forecast a few days ahead is just smart.
Regional Variations Across Kansas
Weather in Kansas really depends on where you are. Eastern cities usually get more rain and stay a bit milder. Out west, it’s drier and the temperature swings can be sharper.
Even towns just a couple hours apart can have very different Thanksgiving weather.
Weather in Topeka on Thanksgiving
In Topeka, Thanksgiving usually lands somewhere between fall and winter. Average highs sit in the mid-40s to low-50s °F. Colder years have dropped close to freezing. Nights tend to fall into the upper 20s or low 30s °F.
Rain can show up, but snow is less common. Still, some years have had measurable snow. Winds sometimes add a bite, especially if a cold front rolls through.
If you’re going outside, definitely dress in layers. Mornings start cool, afternoons might warm up a bit, but temperature drops can sneak up on you.
Differences Between Eastern and Western Kansas
Eastern Kansas—places like Topeka, Lawrence, or the KC suburbs—gets more moisture. Thanksgiving here can mean cloudy skies and the occasional rain shower. Highs usually fall in the 40s or 50s °F. Snow happens, but not as much as later in winter.
Western Kansas is a different story. It’s drier, and Arctic air can sweep in fast. Highs often run from the upper 30s to mid-40s °F. Lows can drop into the teens. Rapid changes are normal, and the wind just makes everything feel colder.
So, you might leave the east with damp, mild weather, and end up in the west with a dry, cold day—sometimes in the span of a single road trip.
Notable Cities: Wichita, Salina, and Chanute
The weather on Thanksgiving really shifts depending on the city.
- Wichita (South-Central Kansas): Warmest Thanksgiving hit 72°F, coldest dropped to 5°F. Snow is rare, but 1918 brought almost 2 inches.
- Salina (Central Kansas): Range goes from 71°F to -5°F. Rainfall usually stays light, but some years break half an inch.
- Chanute (Southeast Kansas): Warmer and wetter than most. Highs once hit 75°F. The wettest Thanksgiving brought over 2 inches of rain.
It’s wild how a short drive can flip your Thanksgiving weather from mild to frosty.
Weather Patterns Leading Up to Thanksgiving
Late November in Kansas brings sharp changes as fall gives way to winter. Cold fronts sweep through, and the temperature can drop fast. These shifts really shape the days right before Thanksgiving.
Impact of Cold Fronts in Late November
Cold fronts usually control Kansas weather in the second half of November. They roll in from the northwest, bringing colder air and stronger winds. When a front arrives, temperatures can drop 15 to 25 degrees in just a few hours.
Dry air means clear, windy days. If there’s moisture, you might get rain or even the season’s first snow. Northern Kansas is more likely to see snow, while central and southern spots usually get cold rain.
Travel gets tougher during these swings. Gusty winds and quick temperature drops can make roads slick, especially at night. Planning ahead just makes sense, especially if you’re crossing the state.
Temperature Fluctuations in the Fall
Kansas is famous for big temperature swings in autumn. The week before Thanksgiving, average highs range from the mid-40s to mid-50s °F. Still, it’s not weird to hit the 60s one day and drop into the 30s the next.
Nighttime lows are all over the place too. You’ll usually see upper 20s to mid-30s °F, but a cold snap can push things into the teens. Changing jet stream patterns and Kansas’ spot in the Plains are the main culprits.
If you’ve got outdoor plans or travel, it pays to prep for anything from mild to wintry. Layers, flexible schedules, and checking the forecast will help you roll with the punches. That’s especially true if you’re driving across Kansas, where the weather can change a lot in just a few hours.
Travel Considerations During Thanksgiving Week
Getting around Kansas for Thanksgiving often depends on how wet the roads get and how much the wind picks up. Rain, snow, and gusts can slow you down, especially on busy highways and rural roads.
Precipitation and Road Conditions
Late November brings a mix—light rain, freezing drizzle, or the occasional snow. Even a little frozen precipitation can make bridges and overpasses slick. Northern counties sometimes get slush, while the south usually deals with cold rain.
When moisture meets dropping temps at night, black ice can form. This is common on less-traveled county roads. If you’re heading out for a long drive, add a little extra time for possible slowdowns.
The Kansas Turnpike and big interstates get cleared fast, but rural highways can stay slick longer. If you’re driving west toward higher ground, snow chances go up just a bit, and traction can suffer.
Packing a small emergency kit with a scraper, blanket, and flashlight is always a good idea. Keeping your gas tank over half full is smart too, just in case you get stuck or delayed.
Wind and Visibility Factors
Kansas winds don’t take a break for Thanksgiving. Gusts can hit 25 to 35 mph, especially out on the open plains. High-profile vehicles feel it the most, and lane changes get tricky.
If there’s snow, even a little, it can blow across roads and hide markings. Driving east to west? Crosswinds get pretty annoying and can nudge your car around.
In dry years, dust sometimes becomes a problem, especially in western Kansas. Strong winds can lift soil and drop visibility for miles.
Fog is another thing to watch for, especially in river valleys and low-lying areas during cold mornings. It can settle in fast and hang around past sunrise, slowing traffic on routes like I-70 or Highway 50.
Traveling during daylight hours gives you a better shot at seeing hazards before they become a problem.
Comparing Thanksgiving Weather to Other Months
Thanksgiving in Kansas usually means cool days and chilly nights. It’s not the coldest time of year, though. Late November kind of bridges the mild fall and the tougher winter months ahead.
November Versus January and February
Stack late November up against January or February, and the difference is obvious. January is the coldest month in Kansas, with average highs in the upper 30s to low 40s °F and lows in the teens or 20s °F. February warms up a bit, but not by much.
Thanksgiving week usually brings average highs in the upper 40s to mid-50s °F and lows in the upper 20s to 30s °F. Frost is common, but it’s not as harsh as the depths of winter.
Snow is also less likely in November. January and February bring more snow, and sometimes several inches at once. Around Thanksgiving, you might get a dusting or some flurries, but big storms are rare.
So, if you’re traveling, you’ll face fewer risks of major winter storms in late November than you would in the heart of winter.
Transition from Fall to Winter
Thanksgiving usually lands right in the middle of a seasonal shift in Kansas. Early November still feels like autumn, with those mild afternoons and cool evenings that make you want to linger outside.
But as the month winds down, things start leaning more toward winter. You’ll notice more frequent freezes and, sometimes, the first snow sneaks in.
The biggest signs? Daylight fades faster, and temperatures swing all over the place. Some afternoons still climb into the 50s °F, but overnight lows often dip below freezing.
So, you wake up to crisp mornings that feel much colder than you’d expect from the daytime warmth. It can be a little jarring if you’re not ready for it.
Moisture patterns shift too. Rain tends to show up earlier in the fall, but by late November, you might see light snow or that slushy mix.
All these changes make Thanksgiving weather in Kansas kind of a toss-up, honestly—not as predictable as those mid-season averages.
If you’re planning outdoor activities or traveling during the holiday week, you really need to prep for just about anything. It’s not deep winter yet, but it’s definitely not that gentle fall anymore.
Long-Term Climate Trends in Kansas
Kansas has some pretty clear long-term climate patterns, shaped by its spot in the middle of the country. You’ll see steady averages over the decades, but wow, the year-to-year swings in temperature and precipitation can be dramatic.
Yearly Averages and Variability
When you check out Kansas climate records, you’ll find the statewide annual average temperature sits right around the mid-50s °F. Summers usually climb into the 80s and 90s °F, while winters hang out in the 30s °F.
But those averages? They really don’t tell the whole story. Some years, summers get much hotter than normal. Other times, things stay closer to average.
Winters can flip from mild stretches to those brutal cold snaps that seem to come out of nowhere.
Rainfall is all over the map too. Most years, Kansas gets between 28–36 inches of rain statewide, but totals can swing a lot with droughts or big storm systems.
Western Kansas often sees less than 20 inches, while the southeast might get more than 40 inches.
This kind of variation affects everything—farming, travel, and of course, holiday weather. Kansas tends to stick to its averages in the long run, but honestly, any given year can surprise you.
Influence of Continental Climate
Kansas sits right in the middle of the United States, far away from any big lakes or oceans. That spot gives the state a continental climate, so you get these wild swings between seasons.
With no ocean nearby, air masses just roll across the plains without much stopping them. Cold Arctic air often pushes down in winter, and then, out of nowhere, hot, muggy air from the Gulf can rush up in summer.
This clash creates some pretty dramatic changes, sometimes within a single week. You’ll also see a lot of stormy weather because of it.
Thunderstorms and tornadoes pop up a lot in spring and summer, especially when warm and cold air smack into each other. In late fall, you might suddenly need a coat around Thanksgiving when the temperature drops fast.
Kansas weather never really settles down for long, so you’ve always got to be ready for it to change, even if the averages make it look steady.