Umpires Ian Gould and Richard Illingworth, the former Worcestershire and England slow left-armer, made several inspections.
But the previous day's incessant rain had left an already wet outfield totally sodden at New Road.
Overnight frost on the covers also led to melting ice dripping onto the pitch.
The two sides still hope to get underway promptly on Monday morning (11:00 BST).
Worcestershire assistant coach Matt Mason:
"We can't do anything about it. It's one of those things that is out of our control.
"We have given the ground a good chance to dry out today and it has not quite done it. Player safety has got to come first."
Kent captain Sam Northeast:
"It's extremely frustrating. After four weeks of preparation in pre-season, we get to the first day and we are unable to play and the sun's out as well.
"The boys are raring to go, so it's pretty disappointing. We hoped for the best but looking at the ground this morning, we knew it was going to be tough to get on."

10 February 2017 Last updated at 09:27 GMT
Some people are worried hospitals are now getting too busy and overcrowded, meaning patients are having to wait a long time to be seen by a doctor.
How is this affecting children who get injured and need to go to hospital?
Jenny went to a children's hospital in Sheffield to speak to a doctor and find out.
She also meets Lilly and Jake, who have come to hospital needing treatment, to see how their experience went.

The Oscar-winning John Ford film has been conserved in the US National Film Registry for its "cultural, historical, or aesthetic" significance.
But brawling and boozing feature prominently in the 1952 film, which was shot in County Mayo and County Galway.
An official warned "the theme is not likely to be well received here".
Although counsellor Joseph Brennan said the film's colour was "beautiful" and its scenery "delightful", he raised fears it would provoke protests from Irish-Americans.
His concerns were addressed to the Irish government's Department of External Affairs in a letter dated 17 April 1952, The Irish Times reports.
He asked for a swift reply as he wanted to gauge the reaction to the film in Ireland, but no response was received until June.
Another missive from the embassy official in July added: "If it were to be taken completely at its face value it would be accepted as a rollicking farce and no harm done.
"But I fear it will be regarded by the Irish-American element here as purporting to portray actual life in Ireland.
"We may then have protests."
Mr Brennan's concerns are outlined in the latest volume of documents on Irish Foreign Policy 1951-1957 which are due to be published later this week.
The Quiet Man, which starred John Wayne as boxer Sean Thornton and Maureen O'Hara as Mary Kate Danaher, won Oscars for Best Director and Best Cinematography.
When it was added to the film registry in 2013, O'Hara described it as "the first great movie about Ireland" and said it had endured as it was "a simple and timeless story about people in love".
Worcestershire and Kent spent a frustrating first day of the new County Championship season before play was called off in mid-afternoon.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
Winter is a very busy time of year for hospitals, with more people needing to see a doctor.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
The Irish embassy in Washington feared protests by Irish Americans against the romantic comedy The Quiet Man, newly released documents reveal.