With the winter weather which impacted the KVOE listening area Friday evening into Saturday morning now ending for the foreseeable future focus shifts to the impact it had on area roadways.
Rainfall began in the KVOE listening area around 4 pm Friday and became all snow shortly before 9 pm. As temperatures began to fall into the low 20’s and mid teens the combination of rain and snow began to freeze to the roadways.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Bill Gargan says snowfall has now wrapped up for the KVOE listening area, although there is still a slight chance we may see some flurries into the evening hours. Residents can also expect wind conditions to continue settling throughout the remainder of the afternoon.
While the heavy winds will continue to decrease motorists should still exercise caution as some blowing snow on roadways is still possible which could cause visibility issues.
Gargan adds low temperatures throughout Saturday evening may cause some refreezing on area roadways creating travel difficulties through the early morning Sunday.
Both city and county crews were out late Friday evening into Saturday morning salting and treating roadways. County crews went out Friday around 7:30 pm and began treating roadways before temperatures dropped below 20 rendering the treatment ineffective.
Assistant County Engineer Jim Brull updates residents on the current conditions.
County crews will be out again during the afternoon hours to begin retreating roads and Brull says the sunshine that is forecasted should lend assistance in helping to clear out any snow packed or icy areas.
City Streets Supervisor Mike Dvorak tells KVOE News city crews went out around 7:45 Friday evening and put down a layer of salt which essentially froze over during the evening and early morning hours. Crews resumed road treatments at 5:30 am Saturday morning.
Current snow totals
*Emporia: 1 inch
*Osage City: 1 inch
*Eskridge: 3 inches
*Gridley: 2 inches
*White City: 4.5 inches
If you have snow reports call KVOE at 342-1400, email kvoe@kvoe.com or post directly to KVOE’s Twitter and Facebook.
The weather has led to several schedule adjustments for Saturday and Sunday
*Daylight Donuts both locations closed Saturday
*Americus Township Library closed Saturday
*Hartford Christian Church all services canceled Sunday
*Emporia Rec Commission all Youth Basketball games canceled for Saturday
*Council Grove Public Library closed Saturday
*Burlingame Federated Church food pantry closed until Jan. 26
*Emporia State Choral Department’s Madrigal Dinner postponed until Feb. 23.
*First Congregational Church of Emporia essentials pantry and community meal for Saturday has been 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
Winds and temperatures will improve greatly Sunday with gusts predicted between 5-10 mph and highs in the mid to upper 30’s.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon and Chuck Samples/KVOE News
{gallery}011919 Snow{/gallery}
7 am Saturday: Recent precipitation leads to freezing on area roadways, conditions expected to improve throughout the day
Travel conditions are expected to be rough throughout the early morning thanks to the area’s latest winter storm.
Rainfall began in the KVOE listening area around 4 pm Friday and became all snow shortly before 9 pm. As temperatures began to fall into the low 20’s and mid teens the combination of rain and snow began to freeze to the roadways.
Lyon County Sherriff’s Sgt. Doug Stump says while there were no major vehicle accidents on county roads there were still several slide-offs. He says anyone travelling on the roads needs to be extra vigilant for potential slick spots.
While snowfall has seemingly concluded in the area for the time being a major concern still is the combination of existing snow on the roadways and the high winds causing visibility issues for motorists. However, National Weather Service Meteorologist Brandon Drake says these conditions will be improving throughout the day.
After a winter weather advisory for the entire KVOE listening area expired at 6 am Saturday morning, a wind advisory for Greenwood and Chase counties has since taken its place. The advisory will remain in effect until noon Saturday.
Road and bridge crews worked through the evening to treat county roads. Crews went out last night around 7 pm and worked until about 3 am to treat the roads, however, as temperatures dropped below 20, the salt treatments eventually became ineffective.
Assistant County Engineer Jim Brull says crews plan to go back out in the early morning once temperatures begin to warm up.
City Street Supervisor Mike Dvorak reports city crews were out treating roads at 7:45 pm Friday evening and layed down a layer of salt which according to Dvorak has since frozen over. Crews went back out around 5:30 and have since continued treating roads.
Early Friday evening Governor Laura Kelly issued a state of emergency declaration for the winter storm. This authorizes the use of state resources and personnel to assist with response and recovery operations in affected counties.
The weather did lead to a few schedule adjustments for today
*Emporia Rec Commission all Youth Basketball games canceled for Saturday
*Council Grove Public Library closed Saturday
*Burlingame Federated Church food pantry closed until Jan. 26
*The First Congregational essentials pantry and community dinner has been cancelled
*Emporia State Choral Department’s Madrigal Dinner has been postponed until Feb. 23.
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
Conditions are expected to improve Saturday evening with lighter wind gusts and lows in the mid teens. Winds will be considerably gentler Sunday with gusts around 5 to 10 mph and highs in the mid to upper 30’s.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates. If you have schedule adjustments to report, call KVOE at 342-1400 or email kvoe@kvoe.com.
