FRIDAY 3:00AM UPDATE:

As of 3:00AM, Friday, light snow is gradually fading and tracking southeast out of KAKEland. Overall accumulation in Wichita has been relatively light, with just over 1" measured in Wichita.

Despite the snow being light, it has resulted in some slick spots and some accidents have occurred. 

The most likely areas for drivers to experience issues will be on the neighborhood and side streets. 

Overall, the highways and interstates appear to be relatively clear with only minimal snow and ice on ramps and bridges.

Drivers should allow for extra time to clear off vehicles that were parked outside overnight. The morning commute will likely run a bit slower than typical because of the sloppy roads.

THURSDAY 8:40AM UPDATE:

A late winter storm is moving over Kansas, snarling traffic and leading schools to cancel in-person classes — just 10 days before the official start of spring.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Thursday for most of the northern half of Kansas. The warning was set to expire early Friday morning.

The heaviest snow was expected in parts of northwestern and north-central Kansas, where 5 to 9+ inches of snow is forecast to fall. The Wichita area is expected to get 1 to 3 inches.

 

We’ll keep you up to date with our Interactive Radar and LIVE weather coverage. Get those features and more on the free First Alert Weather App. 

Check road conditions across the state at KanDrive.org.

THURSDAY 6:30AM UPDATE:

Snow will taper off from West to East by early afternoon ahead of round #2 that arrives this afternoon into the overnight. Track the winter weather with KAKE's interactive radar.

Snow continues to fall in North Central Kansas. Meteorologist Cameron Venable reporting 2-3" of accumulation in downtown Salina.

 

THURSDAY 4:00AM UPDATE:

Snow quickly accumulating in Salina.

 

THURSDAY 2:30AM UPDATE:

As of 2:30AM, Wichita is still snow free while it is a much different story across the Northern half of the State of Kansas. Light snow is expected in Wichita Thursday but the bulk of our accumulating snow will fall late Thursday into Friday morning.

 Tune to KAKE throughout the morning for LIVE road updates, including coverage of North Central Kansas by Meteorologist Cameron Venable.

 

THURSDAY 1:15AM UPDATE:

Snow is quickly accumulating along I-70!

 

WEDNESDAY EVENING UPDATE:

 

 

WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE:

The snowfall forecast is looking a bit more interesting for South Central Kansas, while it remains largely unchanged for the Northern half of KAKEland. 

Round #1 of snow is expected to start falling in Northwest Kansas during the mid to late afternoon hours Wednesday. The snow will rapidly increase in intensity and coverage Wednesday night into Thursday morning as the snow expands across Southwest and Northern KAKEland. By Thursday morning most of the snow will be situated across Northern Kansas with it just clipping Wichita and South Central Kansas. This first round of snow will slide east and gradually fizzle out as we go through the day Thursday. 

During the evening and overnight, round #2 will develop across Southern and Eastern Kansas. Round #2 is expected to bring the bulk of the snow to Wichita and South Central Kansas. This intensification of this second round of snow has led us to up the potential accumulation for Wichita.

The heaviest and most impactful snow is still expected across Northern KAKEland where 3" to 6" of accumulation appears likely with locally higher amounts not completely out of the question. With the late day round of snow looking more impressive, we've upped the potential in South Central and Southeast Kansas into the 1" to 3" zone. The lowest snow is still expected southwest.

Weather models are not quite as "clear cut" as yesterday, but there seems to be some consistency with the heaviest snow falling across the northern half of the state. Compared to yesterday, all the models point toward the potential for more snow across Southern Kansas. Further adjustment may be necessary if this second round of snow lingers.

By far, the greatest impact is expected across Northern Kansas where the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning. Locations south of the warning have a Winter Weather Advisory where the impact is expected to be a bit lower.

The greatest impact from this round of snow will be on the roads in the Warning Area. With slick and snow packed roads likely, some school delays and closings are also likely. Unnecessary travel is not advised until crews can plow the snow away. 

Some blowing and drifting of snow may occur, but the highest wind gusts will be across Southwest Kansas, where the snow is expected to be on the lighter side. While snow totals in Wichita and South Central Kansas will be relatively low, some slick spots will be possible early Thursday and then again Thursday evening through Friday morning. 

Stay tuned for updates and alerts. As more data comes in, the snowfall forecast, and impacts will become clearer and more detailed. 

We’ll keep you up to date with our Interactive Radar and LIVE weather coverage. Get those features and more on the free First Alert Weather App. With the app you can track storms in your area, stream the latest forecast videos and live severe weather coverage, and set customized alerts to keep you and your family informed and safe.

Check Wichita road conditions at WichWay.org and check road conditions across the state at KanDrive.org.

TUESDAY MORNING UPDATE:

Our next weather maker rolls out of Colorado Wednesday, bringing impactful and beneficial snow to some in KAKEland. 

 Look for the first snow flakes to start flying during the early to mid afternoon, Wednesday, across Northwest Kansas. This snow will gradually spread east across KAKEland Wednesday night into Thursday morning as the associated area of low pressure tracks from Central Colorado into the Pan Handle Region of Oklahoma and Texas. The northern half of the state of Kansas is likely to wake up to snowfall Thursday morning while it may just be starting to fall in and around Wichita. Through the day Thursday the snow is expected to fade from West to East, with most locations seeing the snow end by early Friday.

Weather models are generally point toward the heaviest snow falling across the northern portion of the state. The GFS and NAM are cranking out some very impressive numbers while the Euro and GRAF are a bit more conservative. The GFS and NAM place the heaviest band closer to I-70 while the Euro and GRAF paint it further north along the Kansas-Nebraska state line.

 With these discrepancies in mind, we've placed the heaviest snow band along and north of Interstate 70 where locations are most likely to pick up 3 to 6" of snow accumulation. While some totals topping 6" will be possible it seems prudent to see if all models come around to the higher totals before tacking them on the map. Locations south of I-70 will see much lower totals with the slimmest expected for South Central Kansas, including Wichita.

The greatest impact from the snow will be across the northern 1/3rd of the state where roads will likely turn slick and treacherous through the day Thursday. It's also across the zone where schools may be impacted by cancellations. While locations across the Southern 2/3rds of the state could see some slick spots, the overall impact will be much lower.

Our partners at the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Northwest and portion of North Central Kansas. This Watch will likely be upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning and Winter Weather Advisory by Wednesday morning.

Stay tuned for updates and alerts. As more data comes in, the snowfall forecast, and impacts will become clearer and more detailed. 

We’ll keep you up to date with our Interactive Radar and LIVE weather coverage. Get those features and more on the free First Alert Weather App. With the app you can track storms in your area, stream the latest forecast videos and live severe weather coverage, and set customized alerts to keep you and your family informed and safe.

Check Wichita road conditions at WichWay.org and check road conditions across the state at KanDrive.org.