Snowfall chances are dwindling; however, the gusty winds and cold temperatures are expected to remain the status quo through the mid-evening hours Sunday.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Nathan Griesmer tells KVOE News that if the area does see any snowfall develop Sunday night, it is likely to be brief with little to no accumulation, which is a significant change from earlier in the week, with the potential for 1-2 inches of accumulation forecasted. While snow projections may have decreased, Griesmer says the blustery and cold conditions that have been the norm for much of the day Sunday will continue until around the mid-evening hours.
With wind gusts between 50 and 60 mph projected through the remainder of the day into the evening hours, a high wind watch remains in effect for Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties now through 11 pm and Chase and Greenwood counties through 10 pm. Thus far, there have been no reports of wind-related vehicle accidents; however, snowfall or not, Griesmer says driving conditions will remain hazardous due to the high winds through the evening and advises drivers to proceed with caution.
The windy conditions did lead to at least one call for a line down in Emporia Sunday afternoon. Fire crews were called to 742 Watson just before 1:45 pm for a line down in the backyard of a residence. No injuries or damage to property have been reported with this incident.
As we look ahead to the upcoming work week, Griesmer says residents should be prepared to combat the biting cold come Monday.
Tuesday, temperatures will be warming up noticeably from the low to mid 30s to the mid to upper 50s and are expected to reach the mid to upper 70s by Wednesday.
10 am Sunday:
Driving conditions could be hazardous Sunday due to a combination of high winds and light snowfall in the late afternoon to evening hours.
A high wind warning remains in effect areawide until 11 pm for Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties and until 10 pm for Chase and Greenwood counties reflecting the potential for wind speeds up to 60 mpg throughout the day. Osage County has issued a burn ban until further notice due to the blustery conditions.
The National Weather Service is also still anticipating morning rainfall to begin transitioning to snow by the mid to late afternoon hours with up to an inch of accumulation possible across portions of the area. Combined with the notable wind speeds, the snowfall could cause low visibility making driving conditions hazardous through the duration of the event.
With the wintry conditions will come wintery air temperatures with overnight lows between Sunday and Monday in the mid teens and wind chills between -1 and 9. Monday’ high is forecasted to be in the upper 30s with wind chills between -3 and 7.
Temperatures are expected to begin warming up by mid week with highs in the mid 70s by Wednesday, reaching the upper 80s by the upcoming weekend. Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more weather updates as they develop.
11:35 am Saturday:
Sunday is shaping up to be a miserable day areawide.
A high wind warning is now in effect from 5 am to 10 pm for Chase and Greenwood counties — and from 7 am to 11 pm for Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties. Winds will shift from southwest to northwest, holding steady at 30-40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.
The wind speeds are part of the overall weather picture, which will likely deteriorate as the day progresses. After a high temperature in the mid-70s and overnight lows in the 50s Saturday, temperatures will essentially fall all day to around freezing by sunset. Lows could bottom out in the mid-teens, with wind chills at or near zero before sunrise Monday.
Light snow — less than half an inch — is expected after a period of rain showers, so there will be blowing snow and limited visibility, but the National Weather Service is not expecting any blizzard warnings due to the light snowfall total.
Stay with KVOE and KVOE.com for updates.
