Winter storm warning issued as Kansas City prepares for as much as 14 inches of snow
Editors note: For the latest forecast on the winter storm approaching Kansas City, see “Will Kansas City really get up to 12 inches of snow from winter storm? Depends.”
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Kansas City and the surrounding region as a snowstorm could dump as much as a foot of snow on Wednesday.
The winter storm warning is in effect from 9 p.m. Tuesday to 6 p.m. Thursday for the Kansas City area as well as portions of east-central and northeast Kansas and most of Missouri.
Heavy snow is possible along with a brief window of freezing rain, according to the warning. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 14 inches of snow is possible along with a light glaze of ice.
“Travel could be very difficult to impossible,” the weather service said. “The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.”
The weather service urged people who must travel to prepare by keeping an extra flashlight, food and water in their vehicle in case of an emergency.
For the latest road conditions, call 511 on your cellphone or go to Missouri Department of Transportation’s Traveler’s Map or Kansas Department of Transportation’s KanDrive Map.
Missouri transportation officials on Monday urged people to stay off the roads if at all possible during the snowstorm. Those who must travel should use extra caution and expect slower travel times.
“This is a potentially severe winter storm that will play out over several days and dump a mixed bag of freezing precipitation on most of the state,” said MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna. “Up to 12 inches or more of snow has been forecast for portions of Missouri and other areas may receive freezing rain, ice and sleet in advance of the snowfall.”
Although crews will be out across the state working 12-hour shifts, staffing is short due to turnover and the pandemic.
“It may take crews longer to return roads to a mostly clear status after the storm ends later this week,” McKenna said.
Bitter cold temperatures following the snow and ice will limit the effectiveness of chemicals used to clear covered roads, he said.
“This winter storm has the potential to create extremely hazardous driving conditions for most of the state,” said McKenna. “We urge all drivers to plan to get to their destinations ahead of the storm and be prepared to stay there. If you can, stay home and give us room to work. Remember, every stranded car slows down the snowplow’s ability to clear the roads and prevents emergency vehicles from reaching their destinations.”
This story was originally published February 1, 2022 at 6:31 AM.
