What is Weather Wise?

It’s always in the background or sometimes front and center, weather affects us all in some way or another. This is especially true here in America’s Heartland, where geography and location make weather especially variable from year-to year, season-to-season, and day-to-day.

Located near the center of the continental United States, the Great Plains and Midwest are surrounded by vast expanses of land. While this keeps our area generally safe from hurricanes and other maritime hazards, it also fosters a wide range in temperatures and rapidly changing conditions. 

Just west of the plains lies the majestic Rocky Mountains, which add more complexity and variation to the atmosphere hundreds of miles downstream, spawning powerful low-pressure systems that sweep through the region. As starkly different airmasses clash and interact in this part of the country, weather can shift on a dime. 

The Mid-Missouri River Valley has seen it all over the years, from blinding blizzards, crippling ice, and bitter cold to tornado outbreaks, severe thunderstorms and flooding rains. Grass fires, droughts, and even dust storms also make an appearance from time-to-time. Safe to say weather is a big deal for Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas.

Weather Wise aims to go beyond daily forecasts by covering various angles of local and regional weather every week: Diving into the science of meteorological phenomena, honing in on trends and impacts, adding context with attention to climate and history, debunking weather myths, exploring the limits of weather forecasting and observation, and delivering weather safety tips.

All to keep you informed, entertained, and a little more weather-wise no matter the season.