Wichita has a 90% chance for snow this weekend, but southeast Kansas will get more snow

Weather forecasters are predicting a 90% chance for snow in Wichita this weekend, but areas of southeast Kansas are expected to get more snowfall.

The Wichita office of the National Weather Service said in a winter storm watch issued Thursday afternoon that 3-6 inches of snow accumulation are expected to fall across much of its service area this weekend. The winter storm is expected to move into the region Friday evening and drop heavy mixed precipitation through Saturday afternoon.

The snow and a wintry mix are expected to be accompanied by light ice accumulation and wind gusts as high as 40 mph.

While the winter storm watch covers much of central, south-central and southeast Kansas, the hardest-hit areas are expected to be along and east of the Kansas Turnpike. NWS meteorologists warn there will likely be slippery road conditions and areas of blowing snow reducing visibility for travelers.

An NWS map shows Wichita is expected to get 3-4 inches of snow, while cities to the east get 4-6 inches and cities to the north and west get 1-2 inches.

In Wichita specifically, the NWS forecast calls for a 90% chance of precipitation on Friday, a 60% chance overnight and a 90% chance again during the day Saturday. Rain is expected to move into the city before 5 p.m. Friday, followed by freezing rain and sleet. There may be thunder, wind gusts may be as high as 32 mph and a temperature around 33 degrees by 5 p.m.

The transition to snow will start before 9 p.m. as winds bring the wind chill value as low as zero degrees. The snow will continue Saturday morning, forecasters predict. The high temperature will be near 28 degrees, with wind chill values as low as negative 2 degrees.

This story was originally published January 9, 2020 at 7:20 PM with the headline "Wichita has a 90% chance for snow this weekend, but southeast Kansas will get more snow."