Much of the KVOE listening area remains in a winter storm watch for the prospect of heavy snowfall Tuesday night into Wednesday evening, but two area counties have had their alerts upgraded.
The National Weather Service has a winter storm warning posted now for Morris and Wabaunsee counties from 6 pm Tuesday to 6 pm Wednesday, the same times for a winter storm watch affecting Lyon, Chase, Coffey, Greenwood and Osage counties. Between 6-9 inches are expected for Morris and Wabaunsee counties, with higher totals along the Interstate 70 corridor. Currently, Lyon and other nearby counties can expect 3-6 inches of snow.
Hardware stores are ready for the latest rounds of winter weather. At Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply, Manager Lonnie Standiferd says things look good now.
Audio PlayerMark II Lumber’s Aaron Trelc says his store is also ready — and this follows an extremely busy January, especially early in the month after ice, snow and brutal cold led to extended travel issues in and around Emporia.
Audio PlayerAt Waters, store Manager Nick Windel says ice melt and propane have, unsurprisingly, been the top items for customers in preparation for the impending snowfall. He tells KVOE News that back in January, their stocks took a heavy hit in a very short time frame.
With that in mind, he says they were a bit more proactive this time around especially when it came to stocking up on ice melt.
Audio PlayerAlso taking a more proactive approach was Country Mart according to Assistant Store Manager Phillip Castillo who says they took steps to beef up their inventory of most staple items.
Audio PlayerKansas Governor Laura Kelly has already issued a state of disaster emergency, based on this week’s forecast. The governor is encouraging people to avoid travel and to have emergency supply kits for both home and road. The Kansas Division of Emergency Management is also ready to help counties and local responders as needed.
In Emporia, several warming centers have been announced, including the Emporia Police entryway, Lyon County Sheriff’s Office lobby, Emporia Public Library, First Congregational Church, First United Methodist Church, Twelfth Avenue Baptist Church and Bloom House Youth Services. Library Director Pauline Stacchini says staff are ready in case people need to use the building.
Audio PlayerHours of operation, family and pet policies for the local warming locations are online with our story at KVOE.com.
The Weather Service says it continues monitoring the situation in case forecast or alert adjustments are needed.
Be sure to stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates all week. For the latest schedule adjustments visit the KVOE closings and cancellations page here.
If you need to announce a schedule adjustment, whether it’s a postponement, cancellation, closing or delay:
*Call KVOE at 620-342-1400
*Message the Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line at 620-342-5863.
*Email kvoe@kvoe.com
Click here to track the latest schedule adjustments.
8:30 am Monday: Winter storm watch Tuesday-Wednesday bracketed by light snow early in the week, wintry mix possible by weekend
Get ready for a wintry week in the weather department.
Light snowfall Monday night and early Tuesday will clear the area just in time for a more potent winter storm by Tuesday night. National Weather Service meteorologist Jennifer Prieto says we might see some flurries and light snowfall Monday through much of Tuesday, with less than an inch of snowfall. She expects 4-9 inches of snowfall areawide late Tuesday through most of Wednesday, with higher totals the further north you go.
Audio PlayerAs it currently stands, a winter storm watch is in effect for all area counties from 6 pm Tuesday to 6 pm Wednesday. Prieto says the snow will be dry and powdery in nature with wind gusts will be as high as 20-25 mph, making for hazardous travel conditions.
Cold air filters in behind the second round of snowfall, with lows in the single digits Wednesday and Thursday nights and wind chills below zero both nights. There is also a chance of a wintry mix of precipitation Friday night into Saturday before light snowfall Saturday night.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has already issued a state of disaster emergency, based on this week’s forecast. The governor is encouraging people to avoid travel and to have emergency supply kits for both home and road. The Kansas Division of Emergency Management is also ready to help counties and local responders as needed.
In Emporia, several warming centers have been announced, including:
*Emporia Police Department. Entryway is open 24/7 to those in need of shelter from severe cold temperatures. Pets are welcome if controlled by the owner.
*Lyon County Sheriff’s Office. Lobby open 24/7 to those in need of shelter from severe cold temperatures. Pets are welcome if controlled by the owner.
*Emporia Public Library, 110 E 6th Avenue. Hours are Monday thru Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
*First Congregational Church, 326 W 12th Ave. Hours are Monday thru Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Pets are welcome if controlled by owner.
First United Methodist Church, 823 Merchant St. Hours are Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (pending unforeseen circumstances). Pets are not allowed.
*Twelfth Avenue Baptist Church, 2023 W 12th Ave., West Building. Hours are Monday thru Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(Availability contingent upon regular events.) Pets are not allowed.
*Bloom House Youth Services, 301 West 11th Avenue. Basic Center Program that serves TEENS and their families, can serve as a warming center for teens and their families in this area. As this is a shelter for teens under 18, individual adults stopping in for the warming center during the winter weather emergency must not stay more than necessary for warming. They will be offered a hot beverage and the ability to use the restroom. Pets are welcome if controlled by their owners. Dogs must be on leashes at all times and well-behaved around cats.
