Aiexpress – Heavy snow and heavy winds are anticipated to bring near-blizzard conditions to north-central and northeast Kansas this weekend, forecasters predicted Friday.
That afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for north-central, northeast, and east-central Kansas, expecting snow accumulations of 8 to 12 inches and winds of up to 45 mph.
“Whiteout conditions are possible in blowing and drifting snow,” the alert read. “Travel may be impossible or life-threatening. Strong winds and the weight of snow and ice on tree branches may bring down power lines, resulting in sporadic power outages.
The weather service forecasted that there would be 63% likelihood of at least 8 inches of snow in Topeka, 85% in Hiawatha, 84% in St. Joseph, Missouri, 79% in Manhattan, 76% in Concordia, 74% in Salina and Marysville, 66% in Kansas City, Missouri, 34% in Ottawa, and 29% in Emporia.
The weather service predicted 12 to 18 inches of snow in the Atchison region.
Precipitation may begin earlier than first predicted
The weather service forecast Wednesday that a mixture of sleet, snow, and freezing rain would cause treacherous and hazardous travel conditions across practically all of northeast Kansas on Saturday and Sunday.
The initiation of precipitation is predicted to occur earlier than previously thought, commencing Saturday morning, peaking Saturday night into Sunday, declining in severity Sunday afternoon and evening, and finishing late Sunday, according to a graphic released Thursday on the office website.
“Best chances for several inches of accumulating snow are along and north of Interstate 70 with areas south of I-70having a higher chance of seeing ice accumulations,” according to the map. “A slight shift in the track of the system will have big impacts on what type of precipitation falls, when the transition occurs, and the location of highest snow and ice amounts.”
Sub-zero wind chill indices to follow the storm.
Forecasters anticipated that the storm would be followed by sub-zero wind chill indices throughout the affected area, with wind chills in Topeka reaching minus 8 degrees at 3 a.m. Monday, minus 6 at 3 and 6 a.m. Tuesday, and minus 10 at 6 a.m. Wednesday.
The Topeka Rescue Mission’s Extreme Weather Task Force was preparing to provide warming stations where persons in need of shelter may stay, according to Dan Garrett, communications and public relations director for Topeka’s city government.
Garrett stated that information about the locations and hours of operation of those stations will be given before the severe weather arrives.
