More than half the KVOE listening area is now in a winter weather advisory as a potent storm system rolls in.
Lyon, Coffey and Osage counties are in an advisory from 9 am to 6 pm Sunday. Chase County is in an advisory from 6 am to 3 pm. Meanwhile, Morris and Wabaunsee counties have been upgraded from a winter weather advisory to a blizzard warning effective from 6 am to 6 pm.
Both the National Weather Service and Kansas Division of Emergency Management have been advising against travel Sunday since Friday. With light snow combining with high winds to create near-blizzard conditions, and with people likely still trying to get back home after Thanksgiving, Lyon County Emergency Management Coordinator Jarrod Fell says drivers will need to consider what to do if they do encounter whiteout conditions.
With the wind and light snow expected, Emporia Street Supervisor Mike Dvorak is not anticipating a lot of blading, although he says his crews are ready to do that and to treat intersections if they get slick. Lyon County crews are also poised to clear roads as needed. Assistant County Engineer Jim Brull, meanwhile, says the amount of snowfall could spell the difference between a lot of plowing and not much at all.
At this point in time, much of the KVOE listening area may wind up with 2 inches of snow or less. Folks north of US Highway 56 may get as much as 4 inches.
If you must travel, you are reminded to have a full tank of gas, ensure your cell phone is fully charged and have a vehicle emergency kit including blankets, flashlights, batteries, a cell phone charger, hand warmers, high energy food snacks, bottled water, necessary medications, a snow shovel, flares and other emergency supplies.
In addition, Fell says people staying at home should also be prepared in case of a wind-related power outage.
Stay with KVOE and KVOE.com for updates. Click here for a current list of schedule adjustments.
Counties in blue are in a winter weather advisory. Counties in red are in a blizzard warning. National Weather Service graphic.
6:30 pm Saturday: Winter weather advisories now up for Lyon, several surrounding counties
Wintry weather has been in Sunday’s forecast picture for about a week, and the National Weather Service has introduced a winter weather advisory to now include more of the KVOE listening area.
Lyon and Osage counties are now in an advisory from 9 am to 6 pm Sunday. This is separate from an advisory impacting Morris and Wabaunsee counties from 3 am to 6 pm and one affecting Chase County from 6 am to 3 pm. Up to 2 inches of snow are possible, and wind gusts as high as 45 mph will create near-blizzard conditions with snow-covered roads and low visibility.
12:15 pm Saturday: Sunday travelers urged to adjust plans as winter storm approaches
Expect a travel nightmare across Kansas and several neighboring states Sunday as a powerful winter storm moves across the Central Plains.
Both the National Weather Service and Kansas Division of Emergency Management are urging Thanksgiving weekend travelers to leave either Saturday or Monday with a combination of light snow and high wind leading to near-blizzard or whiteout conditions for much of Sunday. Here’s TV-13 weathercaster Peyton Sanders:
Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Baerg says areas south of Interstate 35 and US Highway 50 could get up to 2 inches of snow and areas north of the highways possibly might get 2-4 inches.
Baerg also says people should focus less on the possible snow totals and more on the likelihood of near-blizzard or whiteout conditions for much of Sunday.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media. Be sure to follow KVOE News on Twitter and Facebook to get the latest information directly to your cell phone if you aren’t already doing so.
Also, if you have any sort of schedule adjustment, whether it is a closing, cancellation, postponement or delay, call KVOE at 342-1400 or email kvoe@kvoe.com.
6 am Saturday: Winter storm likely to cause widespread travel woes across Kansas, neighboring states
Meteorologists are still tracking a potential winter storm for Sunday.
As it currently stands, though, forecast models are still disagreeing in just how much snow may come to the area. National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Baerg tells KVOE News one forecast model is calling for little to no snowfall for Emporia, while others bring up to 2 inches to Emporia.
Baerg says snowfall totals will increase the further north you go across Kansas. The Weather Service is now calling for totals as high as 4 inches as you get to Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties.
Light rain is expected before sunrise Sunday before changing to all snow by mid-morning. The Weather Service is not expecting much, if any, icing before the changeover.
The main issue will be the combination of the snow and northerly winds in the 30-50 mph range for much of Sunday.
The Weather Service has been advising against Sunday travel since Friday and is telling travelers needing to head home this holiday weekend to leave Saturday or perhaps wait until Monday instead.
The Weather Service has downgraded a winter storm watch to a winter weather advisory for Morris and Wabaunsee counties. That lasts from 3 am to 6 pm Sunday, and so far those are the only two area counties involved in any weather alert.
The Kansas Division of Emergency Management is also discouraging travel Sunday. It is coordinating with the Kansas National Guard to deploy Stranded Motorists Assistance Response, or SMART teams where the forecasts are calling for the highest impact. KDEM will also staff the state’s Emergency Operations Center. It is also reminding residents they can call 5-1-1 in Kansas for weather conditions or call 866-511-5368 outside the state, and drivers can also go online to www.kandrive.org for travel conditions.
If you must travel Sunday, you are reminded to have a full tank of gas, ensure your cell phone is fully charged and have a vehicle emergency kit including blankets, flashlights, batteries, a cell phone charger, hand warmers, high energy food snacks, bottled water, necessary medications, a snow shovel, flares and other emergency supplies.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more updates.
Information links
Travel: www.kandrive.org
Winter driving tips: http://www.
Emergency kit: www.ready.gov
Pet safety: http://avma.org
