Up to 5 inches of snow and a glaze of ice in central Kansas weather forecast, NWS says

Meteorologists are now predicting more snow and sub-freezing temperatures in central Kansas as a winter storm moves out of the Rocky Mountains.

The National Weather Service office in Wichita issued a winter storm watch for late Monday night through late Tuesday afternoon. The chance for snow starts around midnight and the snowfall may be heavy at times.

“Some mixed precipitation is possible, especially at the onset,” the weather service said. “Total snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches with locally higher amounts possible. Ice accumulations of a light glaze possible.

“Travel will become difficult with heavy wet snow. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning and evening commute.”

The NWS hazardous weather outlook for central and south-central Kansas predicts the storm will start with light snow before intensifying across areas generally along and west of I-135. Sleet and light freezing rain are possible in southern Kansas counties.

In Wichita specifically, the NWS weather forecast as of early Monday afternoon predicts a 50% chance of precipitation for Monday night. It will be a mix of rain and snow before 2 a.m., rain until 3 a.m., then a mix of rain, snow and freezing rain.

The low temperature will be below freezing, at around 31 degrees. Overnight snow accumulation will be about half an inch or less. Wind speeds will be as high as 15 mph.

The Weather Service’s daytime forecast for Tuesday calls for an 80% chance of precipitation, which will be all snow before 5 p.m., when it transitions to a mix of rain and snow. New snow accumulation in the city will be between 1 and 3 inches. The high temperature will be around 34 degrees, and wind speeds will be as high as 15 mph.

Tuesday night brings a 20% chance of snow before midnight. Any moisture remaining on roadways may freeze with an overnight low around 23 degrees.

This story was originally published January 27, 2020 at 1:23 PM.