Kansas City-area residents, crews prepare for impending winter storm

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Temperatures tumbled overnight across the Kansas City area, with lows dropping to near 10 degrees.

It's the prelude to a winter storm that's prompted a winter storm warning and cold weather advisories through early Sunday night.

Check back throughout Friday as we track updates on the storm.

LINK | KSHB School Closings
LINK | Latest KSHB Weather Forecast
LINK | KSHB 41 Weather Alerts
LINK | KSHB 41 Weather Blog
LINK | Read Friday's winter storm updates

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UPDATE, 9:30 p.m. | Homeless advocates in Kansas City, Missouri, shared with KSHB 41's La'Nita Brooks that they're worried about the life-threatening weather about to hit the metro area and the danger it poses for those experiencing homelessness.

Read Brooks' report here.

UPDATE, 8:30 p.m. | It's going to be a challenge this weekend for public works crews in Kansas City, Kansas, as they work to clear streets of snow. KSHB 41's Rachel Henderson found out Friday that the department will have to deal with nearly 30 fewer plow truck drivers for this storm.

Unified Government of WyCo/KCK

Henderson has more in her report here.

UPDATE, 8 p.m. | KSHB 41's Alyssa Jackson stayed indoors Friday with parents and kids and listened to them share how they keep their children busy when frigid temperatures force the kids to stay inside.

KSHB 41

Jackson has more on KCMO parents planning indoor activities to keep their kids warm.

UPDATE, 7:30 p.m. | It's way too cold to be outside this Friday. Remember when it was like 40 degrees this week?

Elyse Schoenig / KSHB

KSHB 41's Elyse Schoenig went to Johnson County to find something hot and something cold.

Read Schoenig's report here.

UPDATE, 6:30 p.m. | Nine years ago, Marquita James felt forgotten by the whole world, but she found help at the Community Services League and purpose as a case manager with the Independence nonprofit.

John Batten/KSHB

CSL's Drop-In Center, which can help people obtain new documents (birth certificates, driver’s licenses, etc.) to find work and housing, among other things, is only part of what CSL does, but it’s an important part.

KSHB 41's Tod Palmer has more on James' story and CSL’s Drop-In Center.

UPDATE, 6 p.m. | KSHB 41's Charlie Keegan spoke with officials in rural areas to learn how their snow operations compare to larger cities, like Kansas City.

Charlie Keegan/KSHB

Read Keegan's report here.

UPDATE, 5:30 p.m. | With the frigid temperatures and anticipated snow, the City of Liberty, Missouri, announced closures and cancellations for Saturday.

• The Liberty Animal Shelter is closed to the public.
• The Reel Liberty Film Festival after-party is canceled.
• Bitty Basketball is canceled.
• Youth Basketball games are canceled.
• Liberty Community Center: Morning fitness classes are canceled and Child Watch is closed.

UPDATE, 5 p.m. | Due to the incoming snowstorm, the City of Overland Park will close four facilities Saturday:

• Matt Ross Community Center
• Tomahawk Ridge Community Center
• Club 27 at Sykes/Lady Overland Park Golf Club
• The Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

All scheduled Saturday classes, lessons, and activities are canceled as well.

UPDATE, 4:15 p.m. | Kansas City, Missouri, shares impacts to solid waste services this weekend. Trash and recycling collection will be canceled on Saturday. Residents with a Friday collection will be able to set out two extra bags on Jan. 30.

Those with bulky item pickup appointments scheduled for Saturday are canceled and will be rescheduled for Jan. 30.

UPDATE, 3:30 p.m. | Olathe Public Schools announces Friday evening events will continue as planned, but activities and facility rentals set for Saturday and Sunday are canceled.

UPDATE, 3:15 p.m. | The Johnson County Government shared transportation services for the Johnson County Mental Health Center are canceled on Saturday. Johnson County Transit's Mirco Transit will run on an altered schedule due to weather.

Below is the schedule:

• Micro Transit service will end at 4 p.m. Saturday.
• Micro Transit service will be suspended Sunday.
• Micro Transit service will have a late start of 9 a.m. Monday.

UPDATE, 3:05 p.m. | Mayor Quinton Lucas checked in from the Kansas City, Missouri, salt dome and asked residents to give the crews grace as they work this weekend.

UPDATE, noon | Kansas City, Missouri, officials are provided an update on snow operations as winter weather approaches.

UPDATE, 11:15 a.m. | The City of Belton, Missouri, declares a Traffic Snow Emergency from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Tuesday due to expected winter weather. Under Article XIII Section: 13-741, vehicles are prohibited from parking on an emergency snow route within the city. Vehicles without snow tires, chains or radials — except those with dual drive wheels — can't operate upon an emergency snow route if it impedes free movement of traffic or the removal/treatment of snow, sleet or ice.

City of Belton, MO | Facebook

UPDATE, 11:10 a.m. | The Independence Youth Athletic Association cancels all games scheduled for Saturday.

UPDATE, 11:05 a.m. | Overland Park Snow operations plan

Snow crews have been pretreating Overland Park streets since Wednesday afternoon. The majority of the snow team will arrive around 7:30 p.m. Friday to finish preparing trucks, review operational plans and begin plowing as accumulations begin. Crews will continue working in 12-hour shifts throughout the weekend. They will work to plow priority streets first, including thoroughfares and collector streets that move the most traffic and emergency vehicles. Crews will then begin treating residential streets. The City asks for patience as it may take drivers 48 hours or more after the snow stops falling to treat all City streets.

UPDATE, 10:50 a.m. | The Blue Springs School District Sphero Challenge Competition originally scheduled for Saturday has been moved to February 21, 2026.

UPDATE, 10:35 a.m. | Due to the storm the Kansas City, Kansas School District has canceled all activities this weekend.

UPDATE, 9:45 a.m. | KSHB 41 Meteorologist Lauren Rainson answered your questions about the upcoming winter storm.

UPDATE, 7:50 A.M. | Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says the city will be ready to work the storm.

UPDATE, 7:00 a.m. | KSHB 41's Lauren Rainson has a weather update.

UPDATE, 6:30 A.M. | Douglas County says outdoor burning is prohibited today.

UPDATE, 6:20 A.M. | KSHB 41's Claire Bradshaw says several warming centers are open to help folks escape the cold.

UPDATE, 5:40 a.m. | KSHB 41's Marlon Martinez says school districts are working to keep busses rolling and warm for students.

UPDATE, 5:35 a.m. | KSHB 41's Lauren Rainson says expect the snow to start after 8 p.m.

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