The latest snow projections for areas west of Emporia are now calling for between four to seven inches of snow.
The snow forecast for the Kansas Turnpike corridor, including Emporia, is now trending in that same ballpark.
On KVOE’s Talk of Emporia on Friday, National Weather Service meteorologist Jennifer Prieto said Saturday’s forecast is trending colder — which means a better chance of a decent snow accumulation as opposed to a rain-snow mix.
Snow could fall as early as mid-morning, but the heaviest snow is setting up for the afternoon hours. Snow should end by late Saturday night.
Given the fact that high temperatures could be just above freezing, the snow that falls will likely be heavy and wet — meaning travel issues for all the counties included in a winter storm warning for most of Saturday. Lyon and Morris counties are in a winter storm warning from 6 am to midnight. Chase County is in a separate warning from 3 am to midnight.
A winter weather advisory also covers Coffey, Osage and Wabaunsee counties 9 am Saturday to midnight Sunday and Greenwood County from 3 am Saturday to midnight Sunday.
A cold rain or a rain-snow mix could well fall south and east of the alerted counties.
Prieto is encouraging drivers to adjust their travel plans, especially if they are headed west into central Kansas, where snow totals could be as high as eight inches. Prieto says drivers should either leave early or not travel at all until Sunday.
Emporia Public Works Director Dean Grant and Assistant Lyon County Engineer Jim Brull say local road crews are ready for whatever comes, despite the timing with the snow coming on the holiday weekend.
Be sure to stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for weather and travel condition updates through the weekend. If your event has a schedule adjustment — closing, cancellation, postponement or delay — call KVOE at 620-342-1400 or email kvoe@kvoe.com.
5:30 Friday:
Things are still on track for our first winter storm of the season this weekend.
The winter storm watch announced Thursday continues for Lyon, Chase and Morris counties. Lyon and Morris counties are affected from 6 am Saturday to 12 am Sunday, while the Chase County watch now starts at 3 am. The watch now includes Wabaunsee County from 6 am to 12 am.
Projected top-end snow amounts have increased since the initial forecast — now looking at a three-to-six inch range — but National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Wolters says there is still some significant uncertainty in the forecast.
The Kansas Turnpike corridor, including Emporia, may see 1-3 inches of snow. This is the area the National Weather Service has detailed as the area of most uncertainty in the precipitation type.
The Weather Service also says a small shift in the storm track will have “significant” impacts on snow totals. Wolters says residents should at least consider changing their travel plans, especially for people going west of Emporia. Wolters suggests traveling earlier or delaying travel to Sunday just to be safe.
Be sure to stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for weather and travel condition updates through the weekend. If your event has a schedule adjustment — closing, cancellation, postponement or delay — call KVOE at 620-342-1400 or email kvoe@kvoe.com.
