With biting cold and moderate snowfall in the forecast over the coming weekend, local automotive experts are encouraging residents to make sure their vehicles are prepared to stand up to the harsh conditions.
Snow accumulations continue to shift heading into the weekend, with the National Weather Service now predicting the possibility of anywhere between 6-8 inches of accumulation for Emporia and surrounding communities between two rounds of snowfall between Friday night and early Sunday morning. Accompanying the snowfall will be air temperatures in the single digits with subzero wind chill between -5 and -15 in that same time frame.
Winter storm warnings cover the entire KVOE listening area, including Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties from 6 pm Friday to 6 pm Sunday and Chase and Greenwood counties from noon Friday to noon Sunday.
While travel will be discouraged, namely on Saturday, not everyone will be able to avoid travel and if you do have to drive during the winter storm, automotive experts say there are several boxes to check before, during and after traveling. For Express Tire and Auto owner John Ingold, the two most important things to check or antifreeze and car batteries.
Ingold says tire pressure should also be on motorists’ lists.
Thurstons Plus owner Beth Wilson says drivers also need to make sure their gas tanks are full and not just for driving.
Also, for those needing to de-ice their vehicles, Wilson says it is best practice to let your car heat up before you start chipping away.
Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch will have a travel and preparedness update during KVOE’s 7:05 am newscast segment Friday.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
2:00 pm Thursday:
The entire KVOE listening area is now covered by winter storm warnings with a major snowstorm forecasted to blow through the area this weekend.
This includes Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties, which are impacted from 6 pm Friday to 6 pm Sunday. Chase and Greenwood counties, meanwhile, are under a warning from noon Friday to noon Sunday.
The latest guidance has subzero wind chills coming to the area Thursday night, followed by light snow from late Friday afternoon or early evening through most of Saturday. More moderate snowfall could cover the area by late Saturday night and continue into Sunday.
Here’s National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Flanagan:
If you have to be out…
The reason for that advice is a combination of snow totals anywhere from 4-12 inches, occasionally blustery conditions up to 30 mph and guaranteed bitter cold with air temperatures occasionally at or below zero.
Interim Public Works Director Brian Silcott, KVOE’s Newsmaker guest Thursday, agreed as he detailed the city’s tentative treatment and clearing plans for the incoming story. Silcott says the goal is to be proactive, although temperatures may take the pretreatment option off the table.
Plowing may well begin as snow accumulations reach 3 inches, and the main goals are to clear the city’s main arterials, as well as areas around Emporia State University and Newman Regional Health.
Assistant Lyon County Engineer Jim Brull is asking drivers to avoid travel during the winter storm. If you do need to go out, give space to the road crews.
Brull also says crews may have to pause operations at times during the weekend.
Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch will have a travel and preparedness update during KVOE’s 7:05 am newscast segment Friday.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
6:15 am Thursday: Weekend travel discouraged as projected snow totals keep climbing
All area counties — Lyon and surrounding — have winter storm and cold weather alerts ahead Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The National Weather Service has announced winter storm watches for the area as projected snow totals keep climbing, from a 3-inch maximum Tuesday to as much as 9 inches in model runs from early Thursday anywhere from 4-12 inches in forecasts announced just after 6 am. Weather Service meteorologist Matt Flanagan says the storm track has consistently shifted north since forecasts from early in the week, and the storm itself will likely hit the area in waves.
Dry air will lead to powdery snow, meaning higher possible snow totals for the area — although Flanagan says there is still a chance we could see a lot less snow than the current forecasts are indicating.
Cold weather advisories are also in place for Lyon and most surrounding counties through Sunday. For Chase and Greenwood counties, the alerts extend to noon Monday. Flanagan says this will be the coldest air of the season and the most prolonged duration so far this winter, adding, “it will be a shock.”
Add wind gusts up to 30 mph Thursday night through Friday and as high as 20 mph Friday night and Saturday, and travel is a concern, whether with visibility or drifting.
Flanagan encourages people to avoid travel during the winter storm and instead handle business Thursday or Friday morning. Local stores are ready. Good’s Cash Saver Manager James Miller says people are starting to shift their schedules to get what they need.
At Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply, Manager Brian Wendling saw an increase in foot traffic and purchases Wednesday.
Waters Hardware, meanwhile, reports being well-stocked with things like ice melt, shovels, snow blowers and other winter items.
The timing of the winter storm has caused several schedule adjustments. Click here for the current list.
Given the forecast of subzero wind chills, the city of Emporia has announced several warming shelters. Click here for that information page.
With the forecast adding higher potential snowfall amounts as the storm approaches, the city of Emporia has announced snow treatment and removal plans. The city is tentatively planning to treat streets and overpasses if needed, but if temperatures are too cold for pre-treatment materials to work effectively, crews will not take that step. It is city policy to plow snow once accumulations are at least 3 inches.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates. To get more information on snow routes and other snow-related information through the city of Emporia, go online to emporiaks.gov/winterweather.
