While authorities believe the likelihood of refreezing in the overnight hours is low, drivers are still asked to exercise caution in the early morning hours Sunday following prolonged precipitation across the KVOE listening area.
Rainfall began briefly around 9:30 am Saturday before changing over to a combination of snow and rain right around 11:30 am. The mixed precipitation transitioned back to rainfall across the KVOE listening area in the afternoon hours and continued off an on.
Even with temperatures expected to drop into the mid to low 20s Saturday night into Sunday morning, Emporia Public Works Director Dean Grant says they are not overly worried about a widespread freeze on roadways. That being said, he says there are chances for isolated slick spots and drivers should travel accordingly.
Seasonal driving conditions are being reported on most major highways in the KVOE listening area including portions of Interstate 35, The Kansas Turnpike and US Highways 50 and 56.
Winter weather advisories remain in place for Chase County until midnight and Morris and Wabaunsee counties until 6 am Sunday. Thus far there have been no reports of significant snow accumulation despite projections calling for anywhere between 1 to 4 inches in the affected counties.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more weather and travel updates through the weekend.
Noon Saturday: WEATHER: Seasonal driving conditions reported across KVOE listening area with wintry precipitation underway
Wintry precipitation is now underway in the KVOE listening area and is leading to some minor travel impacts.
Seasonal driving conditions are being reported on most major highways including US Highways 50 and 56 and Kansas Highways 150 and 177. US 56 from Council Grove to Herrington is partially covered according to Kandrive.org.
No issues have been reported for road conditions in the Emporia City Limits or Lyon County as a whole. Light rain began just before 9:30 am and ceased quickly after.
A combination of snow and rain began falling just before 11:30 am. Winter weather advisories continue for Chase County until midnight and Morris and Wabaunsee counties until 6 am Sunday.
Temperatures in the low 20s between Saturday night and Sunday morning could lead to very slick driving conditions in the overnight and early morning hours Sunday. Drivers need to be cautious, give themselves plenty of time to reach their destination and provide at least two car lengths of distance between themselves and other vehicles.
You can find the latest road condition updates on Kandrive.org.
9 am Saturday: Drivers advised to be cautious with forecast calling for wintry precipitation through Sunday
Wintry precipitation has yet to impact the area, however, forecasts are still calling for plenty of it throughout the day Saturday.
The National Weather Service says rainfall is expected to begin around noon for Lyon and most surrounding counties before giving way to a mix of snow and rainfall. That mix is expected to transition back to rain in the evening hours and carry over into the overnight time period.
In terms of accumulation, not much is expected for Lyon and surrounding counties, roughly an inch at most. However, Chase, Morris and Wabaunsee counties, all of which are in winter weather advisories, could see anywhere from one to four inches of snow accumulation before the wintry weather makes its way out of the area.
Temperatures are forecasted in the upper 30s Saturday before dropping into the low 20s Saturday night. The low temperatures could lead to some hazardous driving conditions especially in the late evening hours Saturday and early morning hours Sunday.
Drivers should be cautious and give themselves plenty of time to reach their destination. Be sure to stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more information as it becomes available.
5:30 am Saturday: Snow and rain likely through majority of Saturday; Winter weather advisories still in place for trio of area counties
Saturday is shaping up to be a precipitation-filled day across the KVOE listening area.
The National Weather Service is calling for a combination of rain and snowfall throughout the day beginning with rainfall between 6 am and noon within Lyon County. That is expected to change over to a rain-snow mix by mid-afternoon and continue through the evening and early overnight hours.
Not much is expected in the way of accumulation for Lyon and most surrounding counties, upwards of an inch, however, a trio of area counties are under winter weather advisories through the overnight early morning hours Sunday. Chase County is in an advisory from 6 am Saturday until midnight Sunday while Morris and Wabaunsee counties are in an advisory from 6 am Saturday until 6 am Sunday.
Projected snow accumulations range from one to five inches for those affected counties. Motorists should expect slick driving conditions.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for weather and travel updates this weekend.
