Winter precipitation ends in Kansas City, snow possible in afternoon
A winter storm is ongoing and will continue Thursday throughout the Kansas City region, according to the National Weather Service.
In Kansas City, the morning commute is expected to be impacted by icy roads before snow begins about noon. The Kansas City area is expected to receive a light glaze of ice and less than an inch of snow.
The weather service warned most roads in the KC metro were wet and drivers should beware of ice on elevated surfaces.
The Missouri Department of Transportation’s Kansas City office said driver’s can find updated information on road conditions here.
Snow is expected across northern Missouri and northeastern Kansas, where totals may reach 3 to 5 inches.
Further south, a wintry mix is expected before transitioning to light snow this afternoon.
The snow is expected to end from west to east by this evening.
Wintry weather not done yet, weather service says
Updated 3:31 p.m. An area of light snow was tracking across eastern Kansas and western Missouri that was expected to last until the early evening, according to National Weather Service.
Snow amounts were expecting to range from light dusting on the Interstate 70 corridor to between 1 and 2 inches in far northern Missouri closer to the Iowa border.
The weather service says slick roads remain possible through the afternoon and overnight as temperatures are expected to drop below 20 degrees.
Snow possible in KC this afternoon
Updated 11:39 a.m. Precipitation was ending across the Kansas City metro area late Thursday morning, the National Weather Service said about 10:40 a.m.
There was still some freezing drizzle east of Kansas City and snow in far northwest Missouri along the Missouri-Iowa state line.
Roads will continue to be slick, the weather service said, with temperatures in the 20s Thursday, falling into the teens at night.
The weather service was also watching a secondary area of snow increasing across northeastern Kansas that may move through the Kansas City area in the afternoon.
That may bring a light dusting of snow to the area, the weather service said.
Fatal crash on Missouri highway
Updated 8: 17 a.m. One person was killed in a crash involving a tractor trailer on a Missouri highway as winter weather across the area created slick roads.
At 6:47 a.m., the Missouri Highway Patrol said it assisted the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office with multiple crashes in the area of U.S. Highway 50 and Missouri Route 7 in Lee’s Summit.
Troopers declared one person dead at the scene following a crash involving a tractor trailer.
KCI reopens airfield
Updated 7:55 a.m. Kansas City International Airport posted a message on Twitter about 7:41 a.m. saying the airfield was reopened after briefly closing earlier in the morning because of winter weather conditions.
The airfield had been closed about 7 a.m. because of ice on the runways. After reopening, the airport said crews were continuing to treat the airfield for ice.
According to the airport’s website, three flights were canceled and two were delayed Thursday morning.
Crashes shut down highways
Updated 7:39 a.m. Multiple vehicle crashes shut down highways on both sides of the state line as winter weather rolled in during Thursday’s morning commute.
Southbound Interstate 635 is shut down across all lanes in Kansas past Interstate 70 because of a multi-vehicle crash that left a semi truck hanging off the overpass. According to KC Scout, the incident started at 6:25 a.m.
On the Missouri side, another portion of southbound I-635 at Horizons Parkway has been shut down across all lanes since 6 a.m. due to a multi-vehicle crash.
Officials warned drivers to be cautious because of slick roads caused by freezing rain and snowfall expected later in the day.
KCI airfield temporarily closed
Updated 7:35 a.m. Kansas City International Airport said its airfield was closed Thursday morning because of ice on the runways.
In a message posted to Twitter about 7 a.m., the airport said crews had been trying all night to keep the airfield open but could not.
The airport expected to reopen the airfield in 45 minutes to an hour.
Travelers were advised to check airline websites for the latest flight information.
School closings
Several school districts around Kansas City announced closures Thursday ahead of snow and other winter weather expected to hit the area and cause dangerous road conditions.
- Fort Leavenworth USD 207 - Closed
- Leavenworth USD 453 - Closed
- Raytown C-2 School District - Closed Thursday and Friday for parent-teacher conferences
- Smithville School District - Closed
- Tonganoxie USD 464 - Closed
- West Platte School District - Closed
- University of Kansas - Opening delayed to 10 a.m. at Lawrence, Edwards and Leavenworth campuses
This story was originally published February 16, 2023 at 7:37 AM.