In Emporia, major arterials are virtually clear. Collector streets, the more well-used residential streets, are clearing although there are some icy patches, depending on the street. Side streets are a mix of clean and snow-covered, depending on the amount of direct sunshine on the streets.
Lyon County’s paved roads are in good shape as of lunchtime. Gravel roads are sloppy but passable.
Area highways are currently either clear or seasonal, meaning isolated to widely scattered snow and ice coverage. The Kansas Turnpike terminal to terminal and US Highway 50 west of the Lyon-Chase county line are seasonal at this time.
After a concern about refreezing that went unrealized Sunday night into Monday, there is a concern about patchy freezing fog Monday night through the mid-morning hours Tuesday. KVOE and KVOE.com will keep you updated.
8 pm Sunday: Travel conditions improve, refreeze possible after sunset
Thanks to sunshine and temperatures in the 30s, local travel conditions have improved.
Emporia’s major arterials were largely snow and ice covered shortly after sunrise Sunday, but they are now largely wet. Lyon County’s paved highways have cleared well, but gravel roads still have a lot of snow on them and are sloppy. Assistant County Engineer Jim Brull says crews will work into the evening hours Sunday, and possibly a few more days, getting them passable.
Also, area highways no longer have significant patches of completely snow-covered conditions. Instead, highway conditions range from partly snow-covered to clear.
There is some concern about a refreeze Sunday night into Monday, so crews are poised to go out again and drivers are advised to be cautious between sunset Sunday and shortly after sunrise Monday.
*Click here for a YouTube Short video.
Latest snow totals are as follows:
*KVOE studios: 7.75 inches
*Emporia Municipal Airport: 6 inches
*200 block Rural: 8.25 inches
*800 block Lawrence: 7.5 inches
*Ninth and Arundel: 9 inches
*Carter Street: 9 inches
*Deerbrook Addition: 8 inches
*Hammond Heights: 8 inches
*Holiday Drive: 7.25 inches
*Mary Herbert Education Center: 7 inches
*Schaefer Way: 8.8 inches
*Westlake Drive: 6 inches
*West Logan Avenue: 8.25 inches
*Yucca Lane: 9 inches
*1 mile east of Hill’s Pet Food: 8.5 inches
*3 miles east of Emporia: 7.5 inches
*5 miles east of Emporia: 9 inches
*1 mile southeast of Emporia: 6 inches
*8 miles southwest of Emporia: 9 inches
*7 miles west of Emporia: 10 inches
*Allen: 8-10 inches
*Americus: 9 inches
*Cottonwood Falls: 7-plus inches
*Lake Kahola: 8-10 inches
*Lebo: 5.5 inches
*Olpe: 9 inches
*1 mile north of Saffordville: 8-9 inches
*9 miles north of Saffordville: 7 inches
*Reading 6-6.5 inches
*Strong City: 8.5 inches
9:30 am Sunday: Improvement in travel conditions expected before sunset Sunday with sunshine, temperatures climbing to mid-30s
The snow is over, but the area’s first winter storm of the season is still impacting residents.
Emporia’s major arterial streets and the residential collectors, the more heavily-traveled residential roads, have been plowed. Public Works Director Dean Grant says crews were out since 3 am clearing those streets and were about halfway done as of 7 am.
Unfortunately, there are still a lot of slick spots on those streets with early-morning temperatures in the upper teens — below the roughly 25-degree mark for the city’s treatment materials to be widely effective. The slick spots were evidenced through the numerous slide-off wrecks seen outside Emporia on Saturday, including two that led to hospital transports: one as part of two multi-vehicle wreck zones on Interstate 35 between the Industrial Road and Merchant Street exits and another at Kansas Turnpike mil e marker 119. More evidence came Sunday morning when a skid steer demolished a streetlight in the 800 block of Commercial.
Lyon County Highway Department crews have been out since 2 pm Saturday. Assistant County Engineer Jim Brull says most of the work during and immediately after the snowfall was focused on clearing roads. With the snow done, crews will continue that work while also spreading the sand-salt mix used for traction.
Area highways have seen a lot of work by Kansas Department of Transportation crews since the snow started early Saturday afternoon, but Kandrive.org shows all area highways as either partly or completely snow-covered as of 8:30 am.
With abundant sunshine all day and temperatures set to climb to the mid-30s by Sunday afternoon, Brull and Grant both expect at least some improvement in the travel conditions by sunset. Some of that may well be offset, however, by northwesterly gusts as high as 30 mph, which will likely lead to drifting in a lot of locations.
*Click here for a YouTube Short video update.
If you have snow totals or photos, message those to the Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line at 620-342-5863. If you have schedule adjustments — closings, cancellations, postponements or delays, call KVOE at 620-342-1400, message 620-342-5863 or email kvoe@kvoe.com.
*Click here for the KVOE.com Closings and Cancellations page.
6:15 am Sunday: Phase 2 crash reporting underway in Emporia, tow trucks still not being called to Lyon County crash sites after Saturday snow
Travel conditions will improve through Sunday, but area county roads and highways are still either partly or completely snow-covered despite ongoing work by road crews to clear the snow. Saturday’s activity led to numerous non-injury crashes and three reported injury crashes, two as part of a multi-vehicle wreck zone on Interstate 35 between Emporia’s Industrial Road and Merchant Street exits and one on the Kansas Turnpike after a crash at mile marker 119, nearly 10 miles southwest of Emporia. Saturday night’s activity, including occasional whiteout conditions, led Lyon County deputies to transport drivers in crashes to Emporia and to stop calling out tow trucks. That adjustment continues Sunday morning.
Emporia Police officers, meanwhile, are in Phase 2 accident reporting procedures until further notice. Drivers in non-injury crashes can exchange insurance information on site and fill out crash reports at a later time.
A large number of local and area churches have canceled at least part of their Sunday worship activities, and many reporting to KVOE News have canceled their Sunday schedule outright.
*Click here to view the KVOE.com Closings and Cancellations page.
Snow totals vary, but several went over the projected 4- to 7-inch range:
*KVOE studios: 5.75 inches
*Emporia Municipal Airport: 6 inches
*Westlake Drive: 6 inches
*3 miles east of Emporia: 7.5 inches
*1 mile southeast of Emporia: 6 inches
*7 miles west of Emporia: 10 inches
*Cottonwood Falls: 7-plus inches
*1 mile north of Saffordville: 7.5 inches
*9 miles north of Saffordville: 7 inches
*Reading 6.25 inches
If you have snow totals or photos, message those to the Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line at 620-342-5863. If you have schedule adjustments — closings, cancellations, postponements or delays, call KVOE at 620-342-1400, message 620-342-5863 or email kvoe@kvoe.com.
10 pm Saturday: Whiteout conditions reported, tow trucks no longer being dispatched to vehicle accidents due to unsafe conditions
Travel is highly discouraged for any reason until further notice as the area’s first winter storm has reached whiteout conditions.
Lyon County Sheriff’s Deputies are asking all motorists to stay off the roadways with heavy snowfall still underway since just before noon Saturday. Authorities have worked a number of vehicle accidents on major highways including a vehicle that struck a pile of snow at the intersection of Kansas Highway 99 and Road 130 around 6:40 pm.
Numerous slide-offs have also been reported throughout the day and now include tow trucks which have been working to remove vehicles from ditches. As such, Lyon County Sgt. Zach Schafer says tow trucks will no longer be called out as long as the whiteout conditions persist.
Sheriff’s Deputies will continue to work vehicle accidents, however, motorists will be transported back to Emporia where they can make plans to return to their vehicle at a later time.
9:05 PM WEATHER: First snow of the season brings impressive totals to KVOE listening area Saturday:
Forecasts held true when it came to snow totals across the KVOE listening area Saturday.
Snowfall began just before noon and carried on through the late evening hours leading to significant amounts of accumulation. Current snow totals:
*KVOE Studios: 5.75 inches
*821 Lawrence Street: 4 inches
*Cottonwood Falls: 7 plus inches
If you have snow totals to report, please message the Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line at 620-342-5862 or email KVOE@KVOE.com.
Not only did the area’s first winter storm bring significant snowfall to the area, it also brought significant travel impacts to the area causing a number of reported injury accidents and slide-offs throughout the day. This includes a multi-vehicle wreck on Interstate 35 that sent two people to Newman Regional Health.
Emergency crews were also called to Turnpike mile marker 119.8 southbound, near the Lyon Chase County line, at 2 pm. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol a 2000 Ford Ranger, driven by 35-year-old Omar Mares-Salazar of Wichita went off the roadway due to slick conditions and struck a barrier wall.
The car then left the roadway and entered a ditch coming to a rest on a culvert. Mares-Salazar suffered apparently minor injuries and was taken to Newman Regional Health for observation and possible treatment. He was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.
Roughly an hour later, southbound traffic was blocked at Kansas Turnpike mile marker 105 between the Matfield Green service exit and Flint Hills cattle pens. No injuries were reported with that accident, nor with the various slide-offs reported on area highways throughout the afternoon.
Slick conditions also led to one accident in Emporia at 9th and Grand just after 4 pm. No injuries were reported.
All major highways within the core KVOE listening area are listed as fully to partially snow-covered according to KANDrive.org. Locally, Emporia Public Works and Lyon County Highway crews have been treating roadways throughout the day.
Public Works Director Dean Grant says there are some concerns when it comes to slick conditions in the early morning hours when temperatures in the low 20s mix with wet and slushy roadways creating slicker conditions.
Assistant Lyon County Engineer Jim Brull says treatment and sunlight will likely help ease the impact to road conditions come Sunday.
With crews out treating roads, likely into the morning hours, Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch reminds motorists to give salt trucks and other road-clearing vehicles plenty of space to operate.
A number of schedule adjustments have been reported due to the weather conditions. You can find the latest schedule adjustments by clicking here.
Sunshine and somewhat warmer temperatures are forecasted through the remainder of the weekend into the upcoming work week with the next best chance for precipitation coming Thursday evening. Be sure to stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more weather updates as they become available.
5:32 pm Saturday: WEATHER: Highway and city road conditions continue rapid deterioration with continuous heavy snowfall Saturday
It did not take long for road conditions to deteriorate in and around Emporia after flurries began falling shortly before noon Saturday.
Emergency personnel have been spread thin with a number of both injury and non-injury accidents reported including a multi-vehicle wreck on Interstate 35 that sent two people to Newman Regional Health. Just before 3 pm, southbound traffic was blocked at Kansas Turnpike mile marker 105 between the Matfield Green service exit and Flint Hills cattle pens.
No injuries were reported with that accident, nor with the various slide-offs reported on area highways throughout the afternoon. All major highways within the core KVOE listening area are listed as fully to partially snow-covered according to KANDrive.org.
Road conditions are not fairing much better within the Emporia city limits which are also fully to partially snow-covered with occasional slick spots recorded. At least one accident was reported in the Emporia city limits just after 4 pm at Ninth and Grand Street.
Details are currently pending.
Emporia Public Works crews began treating roadways between 2:30 and 3 pm. Treatment is expected to continue through the afternoon to evening hours according to Director Dean Grant.
Lyon County Highway crews have been busy clearing roadways since 2 pm. According to Assistant Lyon County Engineer Jim Brull crews are reporting the snowfall is clearing easily, however, the rate of snowfall is causing difficulties in keeping the roads clear for a prolonged period of time.
Brull says the main focus has been on curves, bridges and intersections. Brull and Grant remind motorists not to try and pass city or county snow trucks while in the process of clearing roadways with Brull adding drivers need to give trucks plenty of space to properly maneuver.
Snowfall began just ahead of kickoff for the 6A State Football championship and continued throughout the game’s duration. Road conditions and heavy traffic as a result of the game led to a backup of vehicles around the Emporia State University campus, specifically at Welch Stadium.
Lyon County Sheriff’s Deputies and Emporia Police worked in conjunction to conduct the traffic with no injuries or accidents reported according to Lyon County Sheriff John Koelsch. With snowfall expected to continue into the late evening hours Saturday, Koelsch says another major concern aside from the slick conditions will be an extreme lack of visibility.
If you have to travel in the snow, Koelsch says it is important to take your time and give plenty of space between yourself and other vehicles.
3:18 pm Saturday: WEATHER: Numerous slide-offs reported in Lyon County; southbound Turnpike closed near Matfield Green service exit after crash
Widespread light to moderate snowfall has caused numerous crashes across Lyon County.
Aside from a pair of multi-vehicle wrecks on Interstate 35 around Emporia that sent two people to Newman Regional Health early Saturday afternoon, the slide-off crashes reported through mid-afternoon Saturday did not lead to any hospital transports. The Kansas Turnpike’s southbound traffic is now closed until further notice at mile marker 105, almost directly between the Matfield Green service exit and Flint Hills cattle pens exit, after a crash Saturday.
Road conditions are also deteriorating quickly within the Emporia City Limits leading to at least one accident Saturday afternoon.
Kandrive.org still indicates all highways along and west of the Kansas Turnpike as partly to completely snow-covered. An increasing number of area highways east of the Turnpike are partly to completely snow-covered as well.
Road crews are out, but travelers are advised to slow down and give extra driving distance if they have to drive — and to stay home if they don’t.
1:30 pm Saturday: Highway conditions listed as seasonal or normal east of Emporia, completely covered west; two multi-vehicle wrecks reported on I-35 around Emporia
Snow is slowing down highway traffic near Emporia and into central Kansas.
Almost al highways west of the Kansas Turnpike in the KVOE listening area, including US Highway 50 west of Emporia, US-56 west of the Turnpike’s Admire exit and Kansas Highway 177 from the US-54 junction north beyond Council Grove are listed as completely covered. Other highways along and east of the Turnpike are listed with normal or seasonal driving conditions.
Interstate 35 has at least two multi-vehicle wrecks on the north side of Emporia between the Industrial and Burlingame road exits. Lyon County deputies are on scene and Emporia Fire/EMS is responding to at least one of the wreck sites.
Authorities were called to Interstate 35 mile marker 129 around 1:25 pm. Details on the accident are currently pending.
KVOE and KVOE.com will have updates well after the snow ends Saturday.
12:20 pm Saturday: Travel discouraged with first heavy snowfall of the year underway and expected to continue through late Saturday
Snowfall has begun in the KVOE listening area and with heavy accumulation totals expected, local motorists are being asked to take extra precautions or stay off the roadways entirely Saturday.
The National Weather Service is calling for accumulations between 4-7 inches between the early afternoon to late evening hours Saturday for areas including Lyon, Chase, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties which are all under a winter storm warning through 3 am Sunday. Lower totals are expected for Coffey and Greenwood counties which remain under a winter weather advisory through 3 am Sunday.
Given the colder temperatures and lack of constant sunlight the last few days, National Weather Service Meteorologist Matt Wolters says ground temperatures will do little to decrease accumulation on roadways. He says conditions could become increasingly hazardous as roads become snow-packed and slick through the afternoon to early evening hours.
Emporia Public Works Director Dean Grant says crews are ready to go when needed after spending the majority of the past week preparing for the wintry conditions.
Assistant Lyon County Engineer Jim Brull says in addition to the significant totals forecasted, another concern will be holiday traffic on the roadways.
For the latest weather-related schedule adjustments click here. If you have schedule adjustments to report due to the weather conditions please be sure to contact KVOE by calling 620-342-1400 or email KVOE@KVOE.com. Current schedule adjustments are as follows:
Following the snowy, cold conditions, sunshine and temperatures in the high 30s to mid 40s are forecasted through the upcoming work week with the next chance for precipitation coming Thursday evening. Be sure to stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for weather and travel condition updates through the weekend. If your event has a schedule adjustment — closing, cancellation, postponement or delay — call KVOE at 620-342-1400 or email kvoe@kvoe.com.
6:30 am Saturday: Winter storm watches Winter weather-related advisories have been expanded across the KVOE listening area with the season’s first winter storm activity expected Saturday.
Winter storm warnings now include Lyon, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties from 9 am Saturday until 3 am Sunday. A separate warning goes for Chase County also until 3 am Sunday.
A winter weather advisory begins at 9 am for Coffey County and is already underway for Greenwood County, both of which go through 3 am Sunday. Current forecasts are calling for anywhere between 4-7 inches of snowfall for counties included in the warning area.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Matt Wolters.
Counties included in the advisory area could see anywhere from 1-4 inches of snowfall with more of a rain snow mix expected. Wolters says given the rate of snowfall expected, road conditions will likely be impacted with roadways expected to become snowpacked and slick by the early evening hours.
With that in mind, Wolters is encouraging drivers to stay off the roadways if at all possible at least until Sunday with the “peak of the storm” expected to clear the area by sunrise. Emporia Public Works Director Dean Grant and Assistant Lyon County Engineer Jim Brull say local road crews are ready for whatever comes, despite the timing with the snow coming on the holiday weekend.
Following the snowy, cold conditions, sunshine and temperatures in the high 30s to mid-40s are forecasted through the upcoming work week with the next chance for precipitation coming Thursday evening.
Be sure to stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for weather and travel condition updates through the weekend. If your event has a schedule adjustment — closing, cancellation, postponement or delay — call KVOE at 620-342-1400 or email kvoe@kvoe.com.
