By Dewey Terrill
➔ A Wind Chill Warning remains in effect area-wide through 1 PM today.
➔ For Nemaha and Brown Counties, the Wind Chill Warning has been extended until noon Saturday. For the rest of the area, a Wind Chill Advisory has been issued for 6 PM this evening through 11 AM Saturday.
➔ Very cold temperatures continue with winds picking back up during the daytime hours today. Northwest winds are forecast to gust 30-40 mph.
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NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAID THURSDAY THAT A WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST FRIDAY BUT A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED.
Dangerously cold wind chills are forecast from 25 below zero to 40 below zero. Portions of central, east central, north central and northeast Kansas until noon CST Friday. Dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.
Exposed skin can suffer from frostbite in a very short time, so dress adequately. be sure to wear layered clothing, a hat, and gloves to
protect yourself from the dangers of frostbite.
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Moderate to heavy snow will move across the area Thursday morning, exiting by noon.
➔ A Winter Storm Warning continues through 12 AM Friday.
➔ A Wind Chill Warning continues through noon Friday.
➔ Strong winds to 50 mph and very cold temperatures will accompany snow today, making for life threatening travel conditions.
➔ Dangerous wind chills as low as -40°F are expected this morning through Friday.
Law enforcement confirms that there have been multiple slide-off accidents in Geary County.
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Patchy freezing drizzle will continue across the Flint Hills (the magenta colored area) through early this evening. Watch for slick roadways, especially bridges and elevated road surface.
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Light freezing drizzle and snow are possible Wednesday morning and afternoon. A few slick spots on roads are possible.
➔ A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 6 PM Wednesday night - midnight Friday
➔ The Wind Chill Warning remains in effect from midnight (early Thursday morning) until noon Friday.
➔ Strong winds and very cold temperatures will accompany snow, making for life threatening travel conditions.
➔ Dangerous wind chills as low as -12° to -22°F are expected Thursday morning through Friday.
NEW Upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning.
Lowered snowfall totals some.
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Key Points on the pending winter storm were reviewed during a National Weather Service webinar Tuesday afternoon.
➔ A Winter Storm Watch is in effect from 6 PM Wednesday through midnight Thursday.
➔ A Wind Chill Warning now in effect from midnight Thursday night through noon Friday.
➔ Expected Weather - Triple Threat:
◆ Accumulating snowfall
◆ Strong winds
◆ Arctic air intrusion
➔ Timing: Impacts are expected from Wednesday night through Friday.
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GEARY COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HAS PASSED ALONG INFORMATION FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ON A WINTER STORM WATCH THAT WILL BE IN EFFECT FROM LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING......WIND CHILL WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING...
Four or more inches of snowfall along with strong northwest winds will cause blizzard conditions along with wind chill indices of 25 to 40 below zero. in north central, northeast, and east central Kansas.
This is forecast for late Wednesday night through Thursday evening for the winter storm watch and Thursday morning through Friday morning for the wind chill watch.
Any travel Thursday night through Friday evening is strongly discouraged due to blizzard conditons. Extremely dangerous wind chills will cause frostbite within minutes. If you leave the safety of being indoors, you are putting your life at risk.
A Winter Storm Watch means there is a potential for significant snow and blizzard conditions that may impact travel. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.A Wind Chill Watch means the there is the potential for a combination of very cold air and strong winds to create dangerously low wind chill values. Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates on this situation.