A winter storm has brought rain to south central Kansas, and it’s expected to change to snow during the nighttime hours with icy conditions developing. Winds will increase and create a visibility hazard with blowing snow. The Wichita area could see one to two inches.
A wind advisory is in effect for all of south central Kansas from 9 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m Saturday. North winds will be 25 to 35 miles an hour, with gusts up to 45 miles an hour or stronger. A winter weather advisory is also in effect for central and parts of south central Kansas, and it includes McPherson, Saline, Harvey and Butler counties.
Wichita crews will be working overnight on major arterial streets to put down a salt and sand mix. Public works director Alan King said there will be 60 trucks with crews working in 12-hour shifts into Saturday.
Wichita police are discouraging travel, but officer Charley Davidson said if you have to get out, slow down, keep a distance between your car and other vehicles, and use your seat belts. King is urging drivers to give plenty of room to the trucks that will be working on the streets.
Kansas governor Laura Kelly has issued a state of disaster emergency declaration, which will allow the use of state resources and personnel to help with response and recovery operations in the winter storm. The Kansas National Guard will have teams ready to help stranded motorists, and the state Emergency Operations Center in Topeka will be activated to a partial level.
