The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory until 6 a.m. Thursday for 16 counties in central and southern Kansas – including Wichita and much of the metropolitan area.
As much as 4 inches of snow could fall in the Wichita area by the time the fast-moving storm leaves the region Thursday morning, forecasters say. Snow and light freezing drizzle are expected to begin early this morning north of U.S. 50, and reach sectors south of that highway by late morning.
This early round of precipitation won’t be much more than flurries, said Andy Kleinsasser, a meteorologist with the weather service. But travel conditions are likely to become slick later this afternoon and evening as the snow accumulates.
The evening commute in the Wichita area could be affected by the start of the second, more substantial wave of precipitation, Kleinsasser said.
“It looks like it’s going to be close,” he said.
Highs will be in the upper 20s in Wichita today, with east-northeast winds topping out in the low teens. Snow should continue overnight, with lows of around 14 degrees, forecasters say. Blustery north winds will near 30 miles an hour, pushing wind chills below 0 over most of the area.
Snow should end by about daylight on Thursday, forecasters say. Much of the area will see 1 to 3 inches of snow by then, Kleinsasser said. Areas north, northeast and south of Wichita could see 4 inches – Salina, Emporia, Wellington, Coffeyville.
Skies should gradually clear through the day on Thursday, with a high in Wichita of about 27. Wind chills will be below 0 much of the day Thursday.
For more information on conditions, go to our weather page.