The weekend is going to be cold. And it could be snowier than earlier projections had indicated.
Most of the KVOE listening area is now in winter storm watches. Lyon, Coffey and Osage counties are currently involved from 6 pm Friday to 6 am Sunday, while Chase and Greenwood counties are in a separate watch from noon Friday to 6 am Monday. Regardless of the affected county, between 4-7 inches of snowfall is now expected, above the 1-3 inches of snowfall announced Tuesday afternoon.
For Chase and Greenwood counties, an extreme cold watch also exists from 6 am Friday to noon Monday, reflecting wind chills around -20. Lyon and other nearby counties are not in a cold weather watch, but wind chills could dip to -10 or -15 early Friday and early Saturday.
Early signs of the incoming winter storm begin Thursday night after highs in the mid 40s drop to around 10 and northeasterly winds drive the wind chill below zero. Snow chances begin after noon Friday, peaking late Friday night and Saturday morning, before tentatively ending Saturday night.
With the forecast adding higher potential snowfall amounts as the storm approaches, the city of Emporia has announced snow treatment and removal plans. The city is tentatively planning to treat streets and overpasses if needed, but if temperatures are too cold for pre-treatment materials to work effectively, crews will not take that step. It is city policy to plow snow once accumulations are at least 3 inches.
Interim Public Works Director Brian Silcott will be on KVOE’s 7:20 am Newsmaker segment Thursday, while Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch will have a travel and preparedness update on the 7:20 am Newsmaker segment Friday.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates. To get more information on snow routes and other snow-related information through the city of Emporia, go online to emporiaks.gov/winterweather.
12:15 pm Wednesday: Extreme cold, winter storm watches ahead for Chase, Greenwood counties
Part of the KVOE listening area is now in a winter storm watch through much of the upcoming weekend.
Chase and Greenwood counties are in a winter storm watch from noon Friday through 6 am Sunday. The National Weather Service Wichita forecast office expects 4-7 inches of snow as a standard, with pockets of locally higher amounts.
Both counties are also in an extreme cold watch from 6 am Friday to noon Monday with wind chills as low as -20 possible.
Slippery road conditions are expected with some blowing and drifting of dry, powdery snow making travel problematic, while wind chills could lead to frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, the Weather Service Topeka forecast office is now expecting a thicker snow cover versus prior forecasts. After projected snow totals as high as 3 inches in Tuesday’s forecast, the range is anywhere from 1-8 inches based on guidance Wednesday afternoon.
KVOE and KVOE.com will have updates.
8:30 am Wednesday: Light to moderate snow, bitter cold set to hit area by Friday; city of Emporia announces warming centers
Snowfall totals may be a lot lighter here than in other parts of the country the next few days, but we are still on track for our first significant winter storm of the season to close out the work week.
National Weather Service meteorologist Nathan Griesemer says the main concerns Friday and Saturday aren’t with snow effects, although light to moderate snowfall is now possible.
As far as snow totals, confidence is increasing and projected totals are rising, from 3 inches top end in the forecast Tuesday afternoon to 4 inches Wednesday morning, with heavier totals the further south you go. Griesemer says there is still some model disagreement on the storm track.
Much heavier snow is expected across southern Oklahoma, north Texas and portions of Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee, along with a band of thick ice. Griesemer says ice will not be a concern with this storm, although visibility could be an occasional issue.
Given the forecast of subzero wind chills, the city of Emporia has announced several warming shelters:
*Emporia Police Department, 518 Mechanic. The entryway is open 24/7 to those in need of shelter from severe cold temperatures. Pets welcome if controlled by the owner.
Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, 425 Mechanic. Lobby open 24/7 to those in need of shelter from severe cold temperatures. Pets welcome if controlled by the owner.
*Emporia Public Library, 110 E 6th Avenue. Monday thru Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
*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. Please note: 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.
Be sure to stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates. If you have schedule adjustments, whether they be closings, cancellations, postponements or delays for your business, nonprofit or school district, call KVOE at 620-342-1400, email kvoe@kvoe.com or message the KVOE Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply text line at 620-342-5863.
*Click here for a YouTube Short video based on forecasts current as of Wednesday morning.
