Residents have seen a rare sight for the first time in several days on local roads, pavement.
That’s because a combination of sunshine, temperatures in the mid to upper 30s and an abundance of treatment materials have combined to clear the majority of snowfall and ice from the roads over the last 24 hours. This is mainly for the major arterials in Emporia and paved roads in the county, however, most residential collector streets are still heavily iced and snow-packed as of Saturday morning.
Also, overnight lows dipped back in the mid to high teens meaning slick spots are still possible across all roadways so drivers need to remain cautious, especially in the early morning hours. That said, high temperatures will return to the upper 30s Saturday and Sunday which should help clear more of the lingering snowfall through the weekend.
Despite the improvements, the Emporia Police Department is still in level 2 reporting procedures at this time. In Level 2 reporting, officers do not respond to crashes unless roads are blocked or people are hurt. People involved in crashes need to exchange insurance information with other drivers involved, along with vehicle make, model and tag number. People in crashes also need to report wrecks at Emporia Police headquarters once it is safe to travel.
As for major highways in the KVOE listening area, nearly all are experiencing seasonal driving conditions according to KanDrive.gov where you can find the latest travel condition updates. Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates. If you have not signed up for KVOE social media alerts, go to Facebook@kvoenews, Instagram@kvoenews, YouTube@kvoenews and X@kvoeam1400.
WEATHER: Local law enforcement urging residents to avoid non-essential travel following recent snowfall which has led to widespread travel impacts
The Emporia Police Department is urging residents to avoid all non-essential travel Friday.
This follows an additional two plus inches of snowfall between Thursday and Friday which has led to travel issues in and around the immediate Emporia area according to Lyon County Emergency Communications Center Director Roxanne Van Gundy on KVOE’s 7:05 am newscast Friday.
With crews out treating and clearing roadways, Van Gundy says limited travel will only help those efforts.
Across the listening area, major highways are once again partially to completely snow covered, however, no closures have been announced at this time. You can find the latest travel conditions at KanDrive.gov.
For the latest schedule adjustments click here for the KVOE closings and cancellations page.
Stay tuned to KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more weather updates as they develop.
While the snowfall was a far cry from the five plus inches we saw last weekend, the wintry burst of weather has still led to several schedule adjustments for Friday.
6:30 am Friday: WEATHER: Latest round of winter weather blankets KVOE listening area with 2.5 inches or more Thursday into Friday
Just as things were getting back to normal following the first winter storm of the season this past weekend, another round of snowfall has blanketed the KVOE listening area.
Snowfall began Thursday afternoon and continued into the late evening and overnight hours Friday bringing two inches of snowfall to the KVOE studios. If you have snow totals to report, please message them to the KVOE Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line 620-342-5863.
Local roadways, which were beginning to show blacktop again as of Thursday, are snow-covered with seasonal driving conditions at least in Emporia. Road crews from the city and county will be out clearing and treating as needed over the day but drivers are urged to exercise caution.
The snowfall that fell across the area was wet and heavy which Emporia Public Works Director Dean Grant had said is much more favorable for clearing efforts than dry and fluffy snow.
Lyon County Emergency Communications Center Director Roxanne Van Gundy will join KVOE’s 7:05 am newscast to provide a travel update.
KVOE’s closings and cancelations page is growing once again Friday following the snowfall. For the latest schedule adjustments click here.
Temperatures will once again be well above freezing Friday through the upcoming weekend with mostly sunny conditions which should help to clear up much of the snow on roads. Friday has a forecasted high of 32 with an overnight low of 12 with similar temperatures Saturday.
Be sure to stay tuned to KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more updates as they develop.
9:40 pm Thursday: WEATHER: Chase County upgraded to winter storm warning
One county in the KVOE listening area has seen a winter weather alert adjusted.
Before 6:45 pm Thursday, all area counties were in a winter weather advisory until 6 pm, reflecting possible snow totals up to four inches. Chase County was upgraded to a winter warning as revised projections show as much as 5 inches there and in parts of south-central Kansas. The new alert also goes to 6 pm.
Intermittent light snow began in Emporia shortly after 3 pm and had accumulated to 1-2 inches by 9 pm, depending on the location in town. Eureka had reported 1.5 inches of snowfall by 6:30 pm.
With snowfall continuing, Emporia Police continues its Level 2 crash reporting procedures until otherwise noted. People involved in crashes not including injuries or extensive vehicle damage can exchange insurance information on site and report the crash to officers at a later date.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
2:45 pm Thursday: Light to moderate snowfall through early Friday triggers winter weather advisories areawide
Light to moderate snowfall is likely for the KVOE listening area later Thursday into Friday.
National Weather Service meteorologist Nathan Griesemer says light snowfall could begin as early as mid-afternoon and no later than early evening. Early projections of 1-3 inches, with heavier totals south of Emporia, have been adjusted a bit.
The current estimate is up to 4 inches, although heavier totals will again be south of Emporia.
Totals are lower than the 5-plus inches noted from Emporia to the north this past weekend, but this could well slow down travel again Friday morning after noticeable improvements Wednesday, thanks to the work of Emporia Public Works and sunshine. Public Works Director Dean Grant says he is not too concerned the pending snowfall will set back their efforts heading into the weekend as it will not include several factors that came with Sunday’s activity.
*Click here for KVOE.com’s Closings & Cancellations page.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates. If you have not signed up for KVOE social media alerts, go to Facebook@kvoenews, Instagram@kvoenews, YouTube@kvoenews and X@kvoeam1400.
