WEATHER UPDATE: Seasonal driving conditions persist for major highways across KVOE listening area following consistent precipitation Tuesday into early Wednesday morning

While roadways are especially wet they are not particularly slick in and around Emporia, however, the same cannot be said for major highways across the KVOE listening area.

Seasonal driving conditions are still being reported for most highways meaning occasional slick spots. The list of affected highways includes:

*Interstate 35 from Waverly to Emporia
*US Highway 50 from Emporia to Florence
*Kansas Highway 99 from Admire to just north of Madison
*US Highway 56 from Allen to Council Grove and from Burlingame to Osage City.
*Kansas Highway 177 from Council Grove to Cassoday
*US Highway 75 from Burlington to Lyndon
*Kansas Highway 31 from Osage City to Vassar
*Kansas Highway 78 and US Highway 56 between Allen and Osage City
*Kansas Highway 31 between K99 and Burlingame

Kansas Highway 58 from Madison to LeRoy is partially covered by snowfall with wet and slick conditions reported.

While conditions are more ideal on major arterials and residential collector streets within the city limits, drivers should still exercise caution. Given the abundance of precipitation over the past 48 hours and low temperatures in the mid to upper 20s, there is a possibility of refreezing that could hamper travel conditions in the coming days.

After an abundance of cloud cover over the Christmas weekend and much of the work week, the area should get a reprieve beginning Thursday with partly sunny skies forecasted. Sunshine is expected Friday into New Year’s Day with high temperatures in the mid 30’s to mid 40’s through midweek of next week.

Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more weather updates as they develop.

5 pm Tuesday: WEATHER UPDATE: Winter Weather Advisory extended until midnight for KVOE listening area with snow accumulation to fall short of original projections

Snow accumulation is likely to fall short of original projections, however, bitter cold temperatures and wintry precipitation could lead to hazardous conditions in the coming days.

The National Weather Service was calling for anywhere between 1-2 inches of snow accumulation as a result of sporadic snow showers that have been covering the local area since the early morning hours Tuesday. Ground temperatures, however, haven’t been conducive for accumulation with only trace amounts noted before melting away.

That being said, the bursts of snow throughout the day have led to concerns of reduced visibility, especially during the evening and overnight hours. On top of that, temperatures are expected to drop into the upper 20s Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning which could lead to refreezing in and around the KVOE listening area.

Emporia Public Works Director Dean Grant says while the temperatures and moisture could affect bridges and overpasses, he is not overly concerned about major city roadways.

That being said, Grant tells KVOE News that if the bitter cold and wet conditions persist over the next several days, driving conditions could quickly deteriorate.

Weather conditions have already led to impacts on major highways in the KVOE listening area. The following locations are experiencing seasonal driving conditions:

*Kansas Highway 78 and US Highway 56 between Allen and Osage City
*Kansas Highway 31 between K99 and Burlingame

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until midnight for Lyon, Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Morris and Wabaunsee Counties.

Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more weather updates as they develop. For the latest driving conditions be sure to visit KanDrive.org.

12:50 p.m. Tuesday: WEATHER UPDATE: Seasonal to partially covered road conditions reported across KVOE listening area with scattered snow showers forecasted into late Tuesday

Light snowfall continues across portions of the KVOE listening area with more expected into the evening hours Tuesday.

According to the National Weather Service, the possibility of 1-2 inches of snowfall is still possible with scattered snow showers, however, those totals could vary based on where the largest pockets of precipitation occur. In terms of impacts, NWS says those will be most felt by holiday travelers as the bursts of snow will likely lead to pockets of sudden visibility reduction leading them to urge caution, especially on major highways which are already seeing some effects from moderate to heavy flurries from the early morning to early noon hours.

The following locations are experiencing seasonal driving conditions meaning wetness and occasional slick spots.

The following areas are partially snow-covered.

*Kansas Highway 78 and US Highway 56 between Allen and Osage City
*Kansas Highway 31 between K99 and Burlingame

So far, there have been no major impacts reported to local residential or collector streets due to ongoing precipitation. Emporia and Lyon County road crews are on standby and ready to begin treating roadways if conditions warrant it.

Winter weather advisories remain in place across Lyon and most surrounding counties through 6 pm and Chase County until midnight. Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more weather updates as they develop. For the latest driving conditions be sure to visit KanDrive.gov.

8:30 am Tuesday: WEATHER UPDATE: Accumulation to vary based on intensity of isolated snow showers across listening area Tuesday

Projections of 1-2 inches of snowfall are holding steady for portions of the KVOE listening area, however, those totals will likely be isolated due to the nature of incoming snow showers.

The National Weather Service says any snowfall that materializes will come in sporadic bursts of varying intensity. NWS Meteorologist Chad Omit:

In addition to pockets of reduced visibility, motorists will need to be mindful of slick conditions due to a combination of bitter cold temperatures and excess moisture from weekend rainfall and wintry precipitation that has already fallen in the area. Major highways are already seeing impacts from those factors including Interstate 35 between Waverly and Neosho Rapids, US Highway 75 between Burlington and New Strawn, Kansas Highway 177 from Council Grove to Cassoday, US Highway 56 from Admire to Wilsey and US Highway 50 from Saffordville to Florence all of which are experiencing seasonal driving conditions at this time.

Winter weather advisories remain in place for Lyon and most surrounding counties through 6 pm Tuesday and Chase County until midnight. So far, local roads have not required or seen treatment from city or county roadcrews, however, both are on standby and ready to begin treating if conditions warrant it.

As mentioned, 1-2 inches of snow accumulation is possible across portions of the listening area with higher totals expected further to the north.

Chances for snowfall will persist into the evening hours Tuesday and possibly into the early morning hours Wednesday before chances of precipitation all but evaporate heading into the New Year holiday. Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more weather updates as they develop.

6:30 am Tuesday: WEATHER UPDATE: Scattered snow showers expected through much of Tuesday which could significantly impact travel conditions

It looks like our winter wonderland may have just been a day late for the KVOE listening area.

The National Weather Service is calling for scattered snow showers across portions of the area that could bring 1-2 inches of accumulation with the greatest chances coming in the afternoon hours. NWS Meteorologist Chad Omit says this will not be a “widespread steady snow” but will likely come in short bursts.

Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties have been placed into a winter weather advisory until 6 pm Tuesday while Chase County remains under a separate advisory until midnight.

On top of the reduced visibility on roadways, overnight lows in the upper 20s have significantly cooled street temperatures after highs in the low 60s over the Christmas weekend are leading to some slick driving conditions both on residential roadways and major highways. According to KanDrive.gov, Interstate 35 between Waverly and Neosho Rapids, US Highway 75 between Burlington and New Strawn, Kansas Highway 177 from Council Grove to Cassoday, US Highway 56 from Admire to Wilsey and US Highway 50 from Saffordville to Florence are already experiencing seasonal driving conditions.

Chances for snowfall will continue into Tuesday night before pushing their way out of the area. Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more weather updates as they develop.

7:30 pm Christmas Day: Winter weather advisories issued for majority of KVOE listening area.

Following a light dusting of snow Christmas Day, more snowfall is expected Tuesday and it is forecasted to be more than just a dusting.

The National Weather Service has placed Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties into a winter weather advisory until 6 pm Tuesday night. A separate advisory has been issued for Chase County until midnight Wednesday.

Forecasts are calling for anywhere between 1-2 inches of snowfall across the listening area Tuesday morning into the overnight hours Wednesday. Wintry precipitation could also lead to slick driving conditions so motorists will need to exercise caution and give themselves plenty of time to reach their destination, especially in the early morning commute hours.

Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more updates as they become available.

9 am Christmas Day:

Cold temperatures, an abundance of rainfall and light wintry precipitation are leading to some slick conditions in portions of the KVOE listening area Christmas Day.

According to KanDrive.org, the majority of major highways in the listening area, including Interstate 35, the Kansas Turnpike, most of US Highway 50 and Kansas Highway 99, are clear and passable despite being wet and saturated from heavy rainfall Christmas Eve. Portions of Chase County are experiencing seasonal driving conditions on US Highway 50 from Saffordville to Florence.

The same goes for Kansas Highway 177 from Strong City to Cassoday. Heavy rainfall from Christmas Eve into the early morning hours Christmas Day did give way to light snowfall that may persist into Tuesday morning.

Little to no accumulation is expected by the National Weather Service, however, drivers should still take their time and exercise caution, especially in the early morning commute hours following the Christmas Holiday. Forecasts are calling for overnight lows in the upper 20s to low 30s which could have an impact on driving conditions.

Lyon County Highway and Emporia Public Works crews are on standby and ready to go if roads require treatment between now and then. Temperatures ranging from the low 20s overnight to highs in the low 40s will be commonplace for the listening area through the work week into the upcoming New Year’s Holiday weekend.

Sunday’s heavy rain showers did lead to rain totals of more than two inches across portions of the listening area Sunday into Monday. At the KVOE Studios we received 2.4 inches of rainfall.

Additional totals:

*Emporia Municipal Airport: 2.07 inches
*10th and Weaver: 0.50 inches
*Burns: 1.5 inches
*14th and Highland: 2.15 inches
*1100 Block of Constitution: 2.45 inches
*Reading Lake: 2.25 inches

The heavy rain totals led to barricades being placed at the following locations:

*Road 190
*Road 150

Stay with KVOE News for more weather updates as they become available.

6:55 am Christmas Day: Christmas weekend gifts KVOE listening area with upwards of two inches of rainfall

The Christmas weekend saw an abundance of precipitation, however, it was not what you would expect this time of year.

Constant rain showers from Saturday night into the early morning hours Monday led to 2.4 inches of rainfall in the KVOE rain gauge. Other totals included:

*Emporia Municipal Airport: 2.07 inches
*10th and Weaver: 0.50 inches
*Burns: 1.5 inches
*14th and Highland: 2.15 inches
*1100 Block of Constitution: 2.45 inches
*Reading Lake: 2.25 inches

The heavy downpours throughout the day did lead to widespread flooding in the greater Lyon County area. Lyon County Sgt. Zach Shafer tells KVOE News deputies were called for a water rescue in the 1000 block of Road 190.

Deputies managed to get the vehicle out of the waters with no injuries reported. Shafer spoke with KVOE News and reminded drivers that if they approach a flooded roadway, no matter where it may be, to turn around don’t drown.

Lyon County Road Crews were out Sunday night placing barricades at the following locations:

Emporia:

*12th and Whildin

Lyon County:

*Road 190
*Road 150

Drivers are reminded it is illegal to drive around or move barricades on flooded roadways. Weather conditions did lead to a pair of reported injury crashes on Christmas Eve in both Osage and Lyon Counties.

The first accident occurred in the early afternoon hours when a southbound 2019 Ford Escape driven by 22-year-old Auhneiyce Grissom of Hutchinson hydroplaned just before 1:15 pm at mile marker 158.4 southbound. The vehicle struck the inside barrier wall and came to a rest in the left lane. Grissom suffered reported minor injuries but it is unclear if she was taken to a hospital following the accident.

The second accident was reported at 6:45 p.m. at Kansas Turnpike Mile marker 128.7 southbound. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 25-year-old Jaycee Boner of Baird, Texas was southbound when the vehicle hydroplaned and Boner lost control.

The vehicle ran off the road to the left and struck the barrier wall. Boner complained of pain as a possible injury but it is unclear if she was taken to the hospital after the accident.

While the Christmas holiday began with more springlike precipitation, there are chances it could wrap up with more seasonal conditions. Rain gave way to a rain/sleet mix just after 5 am which then gave way to a light snowfall just before 6 am.

There are chances of continued snowfall through the day into Tuesday morning with little to no accumulation expected from the National Weather Service.

That being said, temperatures will also start to feel more seasonal with lows forecast in the upper 20s to low 30s and highs in the low to mid 40s into the upcoming New Year’s Holiday weekend. Given the colder temps, Lyon County Highway and Emporia Public Works crews are on standby in the event roads require treatment.

Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more weather updates as they develop.