Winter storm alerts of several different kinds cover the KVOE listening area in advance of a powerful winter storm hitting the area by late Saturday night.
Winter storm warnings were announced early Saturday for Lyon and most surrounding counties from 8 pm Saturday until noon Sunday. Wabaunsee County, currently the only area exception, is in a winter weather advisory for those same times.
On Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service issued wind chill advisories for several area counties to take effect after the snowfall ends Sunday. Chase County is in an advisory from noon Sunday to 9 am Monday, while Morris and Wabaunsee counties are in a separate advisory from 11 am Sunday to 9 am Monday.
The current forecast calls for a combination of occasionally heavy snow and blustery north winds as high as 35 mph hitting the area by late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. Up to 6 inches of snow is currently expected areawide, possibly at rates of 1-2 inches an hour, with pockets of higher snowfalls possible overnight. Near-zero visibility and frequent drifting of roads are also expected, so meteorologists and state officials have been advising against Sunday travel since Friday. KDOT has already advised travelers to expect highways will be closed at times Sunday.
Snow should end by late Sunday morning, but blustery north winds should continue through the day — and again leading to low visibility and more drifting all day. Occasionally breezy are expected Sunday night into Monday, with wind chills approaching -15 for much of the area and possibly down to -20 for Chase, Morris and Wabaunsee counties.
Stay with KVOE and KVOE.com for weather, travel and schedule adjustment information this weekend.
Noon Saturday: Heavy snowfall expected to begin in late evening hours Saturday, winter storm warnings and advisories remain in effect areawide
Winter storm warnings and a winter weather advisory remain in effect for the KVOE listening area as winter weather is set to begin in the late evening hours Saturday.
Lyon, Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Morris and Osage counties remain in a winter storm warning from 8 pm Saturday evening to noon Sunday. A winter weather advisory also remains in effect for Wabaunsee County from 8 pm Saturday to noon Sunday.
TV-13 Weather Caster Peyton Sanders says residents can expect to see wintry weather developing around 10 pm this evening.
Current projections are calling for anywhere between 4-6 inches of snow accumulation. Due to the possiblity of hazardous travel conditions travel through Saturday evening and Sunday morning is highly discouraged.
The Kansas Department of Transportation has advised that major highways may well be closed at times on Sunday.
Local road crews have been gearing up for their latest bout with wintry conditions since Friday. According to Lyon County Assisstant Roads Supervisor Seth Snyder, crews are well stocked with traction and melting materials. He says blowing snow and possibly zero to no visibility continue to be major concerns along with ensuring all crew members are receiving enough rest in between shifts.
For the latest closings and cancelations, click here
As previously mentioned, after the snowfall concludes attentions will then shift to the possibility of sub-zero temperatures Sunday into the early part of the week. Any and all travelers are asked to postpone any travel plans if possible.
If it is not possible, residents are asked to have an emergency kit with them in the event they become stuck or their vehicle becomes disabled.
Emergency kits should contain items including blankets, flashlights, batteries, a cell phone charger, hand-warmers, high-energy food snacks, bottled water, necessary medications, a snow shovel, flares and other emergency supplies. The Kansas Division of Emergency Management says you should make sure your cell phone is charged and someone is aware of your itinerary, including expected time of arrival.
We’ll keep you posted on KVOE and KVOE.com. Make sure to sign up for instant weather, travel and schedule adjustment alerts through Twitter@kvoeam1400 or Facebook@kvoenews if you have not already done so. If you have schedule adjustments to report, call KVOE at 342-1400 or email kvoe@kvoe.com.
7 am Saturday: Several area counties placed in winter storm warning, Wabaunsee in winter weather advisory
Winter storm watches have now shifted into winter storm warnings for a majority of the KVOE listening area with the latest round of winter weather set to impact the area Saturday night.
Winter storm warnings in the KVOE listening area and throughout a majority of eastern Kansas will go into effect at 8 pm Saturday evening and end at noon Sunday. Wabaunsee County has been placed into a winter weather advisory from 8 pm Saturday to noon Sunday.
The National Weather Service is anticipating between 4-6 inches of snow accumulation through Saturday evening into mid-morning Sunday.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Kyle Poage says residents can expect the snowfall to end by mid-morning Sunday, however, high winds near 30 mph Sunday will still create some hazards on the roadways.
Speaking of road conditions, travel has been highly discouraged through Sunday across the eastern half of Kansas. The Kansas Adjutant General’s Office issued a travel advisory Friday night recommending travelers delay or alter their plans if at all possible.
Friday was a day of preparation for local road crews according to Lyon County Assistant Road Supervisor Seth Snyder. While both Lyon County and the city of Emporia both have enough traction and melting materials to handle the incoming storm system, Snyder says his concern is about the possibly lengthy period of near-zero visibility and sub-zero chills this weekend.
Click here for the latest closings and cancelations.
While snowfall is anticipated to cease by Sunday afternoon, bitter cold wind chills are expected through Monday around -14 or lower. Anyone who has to be on the roadways for any reason should have an emergency kit with them.
Emergency kits should contain items including blankets, flashlights, batteries, a cell phone charger, hand-warmers, high-energy food snacks, bottled water, necessary medications, a snow shovel, flares and other emergency supplies. The Kansas Division of Emergency Management says you should make sure your cell phone is charged and someone is aware of your itinerary, including expected time of arrival.
We’ll keep you posted on KVOE and KVOE.com. Make sure to sign up for instant weather, travel and schedule adjustment alerts through Twitter@kvoeam1400 or Facebook@kvoenews if you have not already done so. If you have schedule adjustments to report, call KVOE at 342-1400 or email kvoe@kvoe.com.
