After a dry and mild fall, including several daily record high temperatures over the past month, 2022 is starting with our first true taste of winter this season.
All area counties are now in winter weather advisories, reflecting snow and a mixed bag of wintry precipitation, from midnight Saturday to midnight Sunday. We could get a trace to 5 inches of snow, south to north, and a thin glaze of ice thanks to a mix of rain, freezing rain and sleet at the start of the event shortly after midnight. The current projection for Emporia calls for 1-3 inches of snow, down slightly from Thursday’s forecast of 3-4 inches.
TV-13 meteorologist Doug Meyers still expects conditions to get hazardous quickly.
Emporia Public Works Director Dean Grant says planning has been underway for the incoming conditions all week.
Assistant Lyon County Engineer Jim Brull says county crews are ready to mobilize and treat or blade roadways in order to keep the county road network clear in the coming days.
Local stores are stocked and ready, including Waters Hardware. Here’s manager Lucas Hockenbury:
While local law enforcement agencies are asking you to heed the forecast for Saturday, they are still planning traditional enforcement efforts for New Year’s Eve, meaning an extra emphasis on impaired driving. Emporia Police Capt. Ray Mattas says DUI-related arrests have come down over the years.
Lyon County Sheriff Jeff Cope says there is a financial hit for getting caught drinking and driving.
Be sure to stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates. Be sure to join KVOE social media — Facebook and Instagram, both @kvoenews, and Twitter@kvoeam1400 — plus download the free KVOE mobile app to get the latest weather updates this weekend.
