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Katy Trail Weather Guide

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Electrical Storm, Missouri River Valley	Photo: Steven Lee Wright
More Photos by Steven Lee Wright

One of the first questions people ask when planning a Katy Trail trip is "What will the weather be like?" That's tough to answer, because Missouri weather can be unpredictable. But here are a few generalizations (which won't necessarily be true in any given year):

Most thunderstorms occur in June, but there are many in July and August too
May has the most rain, followed closely by April, June, and November
July and August are brutally hot
Most snow falls in January and February
Fall foliage peaks around the middle of October

Again, these are broad generalizations, which are prone to exceptions. For a more scientific approach to predicting the weather, see the Missouri averages below.

Weather patterns tend to move across this region in a west-to-east direction. If it's raining in Clinton today, it will probably be raining in St Charles tomorrow. You may want to check the Current Katy Trail Weather Conditions resources below on the day before a Katy Trail trip, and again just before starting your trip, to see if bad weather is headed your way.

Missouri Average Temperatures & Precipitation

Remember, the "Average" temperature is the average of 24 hours a day. The temperatures you experience riding the trail during the day, especially in the afternoon, will be much closer to the "High".

Month	Hi Temp	Lo Temp	Avg Temp	Precip	Temp / Precip
Jan	37 F	19 F	28 F	1.6 "
Feb	41 F	23 F	32 F	2.0 "
Mar	53 F	33 F	43 F	3.2 "
Apr	66 F	44 F	55 F	4.3 "
May	74 F	53 F	64 F	5.1 "
Jun	83 F	61 F	72 F	3.9 "
Jul	89 F	66 F	77 F	3.9 "
Aug	87 F	64 F	75 F	3.8 "
Sep	79 F	57 F	68 F	3.7 "
Oct	68 F	46 F	57 F	3.1 "
Nov	54 F	35 F	44 F	3.6 "
Dec	40 F	23 F	32 F	2.6 "

Source: WorldClimate.com As measured at Columbia, Missouri (central Missouri, near Rocheport on the Katy Trail)

March and September are the transition months for spring and fall, with a greater change in temperature than most other months. Expect early March temperatures to be a bit lower than the average listed above, and late March temperatures to be higher than the monthly average (and vice versa for September).


Bridge east of New Franklin after the food of '93	Photo: Jack Chipley
More Photos by Jack Chipley

Comments about Katy Trail Weather from other riders

Share your comments about Katy Trail Weather with other Katy Trail riders! Add your comment/question, or view all comments.

Subject: Flooding Started: Mar 20 2008 7:33AM by Ray (webmaster)
I've gotten a few questions about whether there are any flooding problems along the Katy Trail. At this point, as far as I know, everything is OK. The DNR is not reporting any trail closures at this time. Most of the heavy rains and flooding occurred to the south, and many of the problem rivers (such as the Meremec) actually feed into the Mississippi, rather than the Missouri. Also, I don't think the rains were as bad upstream, such as in Boonville and Kansas City. Having said all that, I'm not a hydrologist, so my guesses and observations are no better than anyone else's. If anyone out there has any insight into current conditions, please let us know.... View Full Comment
Replies: 0	Reply to This Topic

Subject: 3 days or 4??? Started: Sep 14 2006 11:50AM by Gayla , Azle, TX
My husband and I will be riding the whole trail from west to east. We are riding in November in order to escape the heat (we both really like COLD weather). I am having trouble deciding whether to ride it in 3 or 4 days. We are not in "top" physical condition, but we're training hard right now and will be in "good" condition by then.
Replies: 15 (Last reply: Nov 26 2007 8:36PM by biker Dallas: "Me and a group of fr......" )	View This Topic

Subject: Rainy days? Started: Feb 15 2006 8:43PM by Brooke & Andy , St. Louis
We're planning our first trip on the KATY in June, from Clinton to St. Charles, staying in B&Bs along the way. In case of rain, what do we do - sit it out and wait or keep going? If we do need to wait for awhile, are most B&B proprietors ok with a later check-in, or will this be an issue at all? Thanks for any advice you can give!
Replies: 7 (Last reply: Jun 15 2006 9:14PM by Dave S, Morristown, TN: "Riding in summer rain is no big deal. Just hose d..." )	View This Topic

Subject: Katy Trail Weather Started: Apr 17 2006 2:44PM by sharron sussman , Julian California
What about the TORNADOES???? Has the trail been damaged? Where? I will be on the trail around May 4-10, going west-to-east. In California we stand in the doorway for earthquakes - where should we stand for a twister??? Any specific or general information much appreciated,... View Full Comment
Replies: 6 (Last reply: May 6 2006 2:06PM by runkentrun2002, Denver: "Copperheads?..." )	View This Topic

Subject: Direction of prevailing wind Started: Mar 24 2006 4:51PM by stevefree , Springfield, MO
What are your thoughts on best direction to ride,according to prevailing winds?
Replies: 2 (Last reply: Mar 27 2006 4:49PM by Matthew, Kansas City, MO: "Prevailing wind is hit or miss, but the trail is d..." )	View This Topic

Subject: Blooming of Dogwoods Started: Mar 3 2006 4:49PM by Easy Ed , Rockwall, TX (Dallas)
Looking to do St. Charles to Boonville (prox) in April or early May. Any guesses on when the dogwoods might be in bloom this year?
Replies: 1 (Last reply: Mar 3 2006 9:34PM by MAH : "According to the 200......" )	View This Topic

Subject: Katy Trail Weather - for late March Started: Jan 27 2006 11:56PM by cathy j , st helena ca
I am considering cycling the Katy trail from March 19th to March 25, 2006. This is our Spring Break so I do not have the ability to do at another time. Am I nuts? Is it likely to be too cold and/or snowing? I am interested in opinions on the advisability of cycling at that time of year. thanks...Cathy J
Replies: 7 (Last reply: Feb 23 2006 12:15PM by ET, Columbia: "In general, the surface is excellent if it's reall..." )	View This Topic

Subject: Best Times to Ride Started: Feb 10 2006 4:19PM by Jarred , Florissant
We are planning on riding the trail sometime later this summer. It will be a group of about 4-5 of us and I was thinking about riding in early August or late July. We will begin preparing for the ride within the next 2 weeks. We are pretty amped about it. We are thinking about riding the trail out to Clinton and back from St. Charles. We are thinking that it can be done in about 5 days. Just wandering if everyone thinks this is a feasable time period??
Replies: 11 (Last reply: Feb 11 2006 8:25AM by savage24 KC,MO: "WOW. No, that does ......" )	View This Topic

Subject: Best weather months Started: Feb 7 2006 11:02AM by Ray (webmaster)
I second Mark's suggestions. Late September and October are my favorites, because you have nice weather and fall colors. Summer's great but you must be prepared for the heat. The Katy Trail Weather Guide page gives more details about temperature ranges and precipitation throughout the year.
Replies: 4 (Last reply: Feb 9 2006 8:26AM by savage24, KC,MO: "I like June, September & October best. April/May ..." )	View This Topic

Subject: MO weather at Thanksgiving Started: Aug 12 2005 6:24PM by Mark , Houston
I may be in St. Charles for Thanksgiving and was looking for roadrides. However, the Katy Trail thing looks very cool. Although I live in Houston I grew up in Omaha so I know what winter can be like. Omaha occaisionally got early lite snow in November. I have clothing to cycle in Houston down to about 45F, w/o rain. I assume the weather in MO can be quite variable around Thanksgiving but there's a reasonble chance of decent enough weather. Is there much chance longsleeve jersey, ear protection, arm & leg warmers will be adequate for riding the Katy trail in the 3rd week in November? Am I kidding myself??
Replies: 1 (Last reply: Aug 14 2005 6:59AM by savage24, KC, MO: "Quite variable indeed. Here is some November weat..." )	View This Topic

Subject: Swimming near the trail? Started: Jul 8 2005 10:02AM by Lynne , Seattle
My husband and I (kids at Grandmas!) would like to explore the trail and nearby points Sunday - Thursday next week (7/10-14). We have our mountain bikes, camping gear and inner tubes (for floating) and a van, but failed to bring racks and panniers. My husband, who grew up in the midwest, thinks I'm nuts to want to bike in Missouri in July, but this is the time we have! Seems like outdoor swiming opportunities would help. I see there's public camping and swimming pool in Pilot Grove. Any motels with pleasant outdoor pools? Any swimming/tubing recommendations along/near the trail - or elsewhere? We don't have to stick to the KT (though this board might...) Or general tips for how Seattlites might survive Missouri in July? Shade? Beer? Thanks!
Replies: 5 (Last reply: Jul 10 2005 8:49PM by Sarah, Denver CO: "It will be plenty hot, unless you get lucky. We bi..." )	View This Topic

Subject: Foliage Started: Jun 4 2005 1:18PM by Tom , Fort Madison IA.
When is the best time to view the trees changing in the fall?
Replies: 1 (Last reply: Jun 4 2005 7:26PM by Trek Biker, St. Joseph, MO: "The peak for fall color varies for many reasons......" )	View This Topic

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Katy Trail Weather Guide

Current Katy Trail Weather Conditions Fahrenheit Celsius

Missouri Average Temperatures & Precipitation Fahrenheit / inches Celsius / mm

Useful/Related Resources

Current Katy Trail Weather Conditions

Missouri Average Temperatures & Precipitation