Just in time to ring in the New Year, Mother Nature has decided to give us our first taste of winter for the season. And it’s a taste we may not like very much.
Snow accumulations could be in the 2-6 inch range, south to north, across the KVOE listening area starting Friday night and continuing through Saturday, with Emporia currently on track for 3-4 inches. Blowing and drifting is expected and there could also be a wintry mix involving freezing rain or sleet for most of the area at the start of the event — enough for up to a tenth of an inch of ice under the snowfall. TV-13 meteorologist Doug Meyers says the current forecast indicates things should be OK at midnight but could go downhill quickly after that.
The other key component with this forecast is biting cold. Wind chills will likely drop to near -10 Saturday morning and could be in the -15 range Sunday morning.
Winter storm watches are now posted for the entire KVOE listening area. Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties are involved from midnight Saturday to midnight Sunday, while Chase and Greenwood counties are in a separate watch from midnight Saturday to 1 am Sunday.
Local law enforcement normally tells residents to be cautious with their New Year’s Eve festivities, and they are stepping up their requests for caution, given the weather forecast. Police Capt. Ray Mattas urges revelers to be prepared.
Lyon County Sheriff Jeff Cope says the forecast adds a layer of concern to the traditional New Year’s Eve enforcement effort.
Lyon County deputies are taking part in a regional enforcement effort so there will be extra deputies on the road. Emporia Police officers are not taking part in that effort but will have officers working 12-hour shifts for the holiday.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
