The coldest air of the season to date is coming Monday night — and light snowfall is already here.
After high temperatures in the teens and a chance of up to half an inch of snow Monday, skies will clear, pushing overnight lows to -7 or lower and wind chills to -10 to -20 areawide. Just over a dusting has already fallen at the KVOE studios, and there has been a reported injury wreck on the Kansas Turnpike at mile marker 123 southbound, four miles southwest of the Emporia tollgate. One person declined a hospital trip. Further details are currently pending.
Kandrive.gov shows highways immediately around Emporia as partly snow-covered or seasonal, or isolated icing.
A cold weather advisory has been issued for Lyon and almost all surrounding counties from 6 pm Monday to noon Tuesday.
TV-13 meteorologist Doug Meyers says people should avoid going out after sunset due to the cold — and to be properly bundled if they have to be outside.
Meyers also reminds people that space heaters should be at least three feet away from anything that can catch fire, while the National Weather Service says grills and generators should not be used inside. To protect pipes from bursting and causing flooding, Meyers says people should open up cabinets to increase warm air flow and let faucets drip to ensure water doesn’t freeze.
Street conditions in Emporia remain unchanged from Friday, meaning main arterials and more heavily-used residential collector streets are clear while side streets range from mostly clear to snowpacked. Monday’s light snowfall could cause some travel issues, especially on elevated surfaces and in residential neighborhoods. City Manager Trey Cocking says department heads will meet Tuesday to discuss street treatment and clearing plans after Public Works crews spent Wednesday through Friday blading or treating side streets.
The good news is this level of cold air won’t last long. Air temperatures will reach the mid-20s Tuesday afternoon and the mid- to upper teens Tuesday night. High temperatures should then be in the mid-30s to low 40s from Wednesday into early next week with dry conditions.
KVOE and KVOE.com will keep you updated.
