KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Good morning bloggers,
There is a winter storm warning in effect today for heavy amounts of snow causing slick and dangerous driving conditions. North winds will cause wind chill factors to be near 10 degrees. We are tracking this storm on KSHB 41.
The snow began falling north of Interstate 70 at just after midnight. The heaviest snow was increasing west and northwest of Kansas City, as you can see here on the 1:05 a.m. radar:
The green areas are showing the heavier snowfall rates. We will track this area as it spreads in today. The forecast is still on track with 3 to 8-inch totals expected across the area.
The temperatures are dropping and with temperatures in the 20s during the snow, the ratio of liquid to solid will likely be around 11-1. This means that if 0.30 inches of liquid falls, then we will likely have 3.3 inches of snow. The models are showing around .30 to .50 inches of liquid and this would come out to 3.3 to 5.5 inches of snow across Kansas City in the first main band. The second main band is forming tonight and it may form as for north as Kansas City International Airport to Libety, or it may form a bit farther south. This means that we will likely be in that 3 to 5 inch range from this storm with additional amounts possible in that second band. There will likely be an area that has a bit more, or closer to 6 inches from the lead band. The second main band is likely going to form later in the afternoon or evening on Thursday. We will be monitoring this closely as this second band is really the main band for areas south of Kansas City, and it may add to totals farther north.
1:45 AM Radar:
By 1:45 a.m., the radar echoes were increasing in intensity and areal coverage as this large area of snow spread in from the west. And, then by 3:38 a.m., the area of snow continues to increase and spread across the rest of the Kansas City metro areas and deeper into Missouri.
3:38 a.m. radar:
The areas of green is rather heavy snow and it was approaching Kansas City as we got close to 4 a.m.
Kansas City Weather Time-Line:
- Now to noon: A 100% chance of snow, possibly heavy at times. Temperatures will be dropping to around 22 to 24 degrees. This will help increase the ratios of liquid to snow at around 11-1. Two to 4 inches will coat everything and it will be quite slick and hazardous.
- Noon to 6 p.m.: The snow will continue near Kansas City and become a bit lighter. An additional 1 to 2 inches are expected with totals reaching 3 to 6 inches across the metro area. Amounts farther south will be much lighter, but a new band of snow is expected to form farther south near the end of this period. Wind chills will be around 5 to 10 degrees. It will be very slick and hazardous.
- 6 p.m. to midnight: The second band of snow will form near or just south of Kansas City and then shift southeast. Additional accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are likely in this band, which would bring some areas, that get both bands, up to 4 to 9 inches. If this forms over parts of the Kansas City metro area, then even higher amounts than 3 to 6 inches are possible. We will be monitoring this second main band closely. The very slick and hazardous conditions will continue.
We will update the blog a bit later today. Try to provide a lot of extra time if you are traveling today.
Thank you for spending a few minutes of your day reading the weather blog and sharing in this weather experience. Have a great Thursday.
Gary
