Snow totals dip slightly, hazards remain: Latest Kansas City winter storm forecast
Kansas City may see less snow than initially expected as a powerful winter storm moves from the southern U.S. into the eastern part of the country this weekend, but a forecaster says it’s no time to celebrate.
“The impacts will still be significant,” said Skylar Gertonson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill. “Folks should still exercise caution, especially if they’re in the KC metro. This storm is still impressive for Kansas City overall.”
The winter storm is still going to create slick road and hazardous travel conditions, Gertonson said. The snow will be light and fluffy, and winds are expected to be between 10 and 15 mph.
The forecast is now calling for 4 to 6 inches of snow in the Kansas City metro and generally north of Interstate 35. That’s down from 4 to 8 inches earlier on Friday.
“We’ve been seeing more of a downward trend in our snowfall totals,” Gertonson said.
Areas south of U.S. 50 will see higher amounts, around 8 inches or higher, according to the latest forecast.
The forecast and predicted snowfall amounts have been constantly evolving as the storm approaches. Snowfall amounts initially shifted farther north, and now they’ve started to trend lower. In northern Missouri, snowfall amounts could still vary sharply over short distances.
The timing of the storm has also shifted slightly later than previously forecast, Gertonson said.
“Initially, we were thinking the storm would start rolling into our area sometime around midnight tonight, but that has shifted to be a tiny bit later — maybe looking closer to 3 a.m.,” Gertonson said.
The storm is expected to bring an initial push of snow Saturday morning, possibly tapering off in the afternoon, but picking up again going into the evening and into Sunday morning, when it is expected to move out of Kansas City, Gertonson said.
The heaviest snowfall may occur with the second push of snow, but Gertonson said that might be “splitting hairs.”
“You can still expect the heaviest snowfall to be within those two pushes,” Gertonson said.
There will be bitterly cold temperatures associated with the storm, Gertonson said. High temperatures on Saturday are expected to be in the single digits, with wind chills as low as minus 20 degrees.
“Limiting your outdoor exposure is important,” Gertonson said. “If travel is not necessary, try to stay off the roads during the event. Slick road conditions will exist and the potential for blowing snow will exist. It will make travel hazardous.”
Folks are also encouraged to stay informed about evolving weather conditions and changes to the forecast.
