Travel conditions have been improving all afternoon after light rain yesterday (TU) turned into a wintry mix before sunset and then changed to snowfall by early evening.
Asides from Interstate 35, the Kansas Turnpike and other major highways, travel had been slow going up until late this (W) morning despite lengthy efforts by road crews to keep main roads clear. Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch says road conditions have improved greatly throughout the day, however, he advises residents to exercise caution through the evening hours as temperatures in the low 20’s may lead to refreezing of wet areas.
Koelsch adds, with little sunshine and high temperatures not expected to rise above 30 degrees Thursday, motorists need to remain extra vigilant through the morning hours and most of the day Thursday as well.
Conditions locally — especially for the major arterials and the residential collector streets — began improving by late morning as temperatures moved into the mid-20s. Emporia’s treatment materials lose their effectiveness when temperatures are below 25 degrees.
Travel conditions began getting icy by early afternoon in Chase and Morris counties and across Lyon County by late afternoon. There were several crashes in Lyon County last (TU) evening, including a jackknifed semi that blocked all northbound traffic on the Kansas Turnpike near the Flint Hills cattle pens, but Lyon County Deputy Doug Stump says the number of crashes were relatively low and there were no injury accidents reported.
Virtually all area school districts either closed or delayed school today (W), and both Emporia State University and Flint Hills Technical College delayed school due to the travel conditions. Other schedule adjustments are still in place across the KVOE listening area:
*Lyon County League basketball tournament postponed to Wednesday. Games will keep Tuesday’s schedule. Coverage begins at 3:50 pm on Country 101.7 FM and KVOE-TV ant KVOE.com.
Churches
*Emporia First Congregational Church evening activities canceled.
*Harveyville Methodist Church closed. All activities canceled.
*Lebo Baptist Church’s Gen~XYZ activities canceled.
*Lyndon United Methodist Church closed. Preschool closed. Activities canceled.
If you have schedule adjustments to report, whether they are closings, cancellations, postponements or delays, call KVOE at 620-342-1400. You can also:
*Email kvoe@kvoe.com.
*Post your information directly to KVOE’s Twitter and Facebook pages.
Snow totals were around an inch in Emporia. Other totals:
*Scranton: 2 inches
*Waverly: 1 inch
*White City: 2 inches
Stay with KVOE and KVOE.com for travel updates. If you have schedule adjustments to report, call KVOE at 342-1400 or email kvoe@kvoe.com.
