The Garden City Telegram
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Snow, wind expected through Thursday
Published 12/23/2009 in Local News
By MONICA SPRINGER and
RACHAEL GRAY
The Telegram
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Laurie Sisk/Telegram Lee Richardson Zoo maintenance worker Louis Elchuck shovels the entrance to the zoo after a light snow this morning. More snow is expected tonight.
Snow and ice are complicating things for people traveling to see family for the holidays, and unless Mother Nature sends a huge warm up this way, it looks like dreams of a white Christmas will come true for many.
Garden City and much of western and central Kansas is in a blizzard watch until 6 p.m. today, which could hamper plans for many holiday travelers.
According to the National Weather Service, snow amounts of four to seven inches are expected through Christmas Eve.
The winter weather is causing some Garden City residents to alter their holiday plans.
Darla Daniels, whose parents live in St. Francis in northwest Kansas, said she was planning to leave Garden City Thursday afternoon if the weather permits to spend Christmas with her parents.
If that's not possible, though, Daniels said she'd spend Christmas in Garden City and then travel to St. Francis sometime this weekend.
The weather also was changing Brian Faust's travel plans.
Faust, who lives in Garden City, said he was planning to travel to Denver to see his parents and sister on Christmas Eve.
Now, after keeping up with the weather on Tuesday afternoon, he planned to travel to Denver on Tuesday night.
"The weather always throws a wrench into things," he said.
Periods of snow are expected to continue through the day and tonight, and some light snow may fall through Thursday. Temperatures aren't expected to climb out of the 20s until Saturday, when the high is 30 degrees. Lows are expected to be in the teens.
Strong winds of 25 to 40 mph will likely develop late tonight and continue to Thursday, the weather service said.
A blizzard watch means there is a potential for falling and blowing snow and strong winds will mean poor visibility.
As of this morning, snow fall totals in the area didn't add up to much. More snow fell in the northern part of southwest Kansas.
Reports from the NWS were that the combination of fog and freezing rain, followed by snow in some areas of southwest Kansas made some roads slick.
The National Weather Service in Dodge City reported two inches of snow in Healy in Lane County. Mary Eitel, who works in the Lane County Sheriff's Office, said this morning the weather was "not bad" and that the roads were snow packed.
In Greeley County, Judy Rine reported the snow fall just covered the ground and the county had very little ice so far.
Garden City experienced a freezing fog late last night and a dusting of snow overnight. Predictions for Garden City include an accumulation of one to three inches of snow today, one to two more inches tonight and more snow and blowing for Christmas Eve Thursday.
The weather already has affected some roads and drivers in Kansas.
The Kansas Highway Patrol responded to eight crashes on Kansas Highways Tuesday, some of which were caused by weather and icy road conditions.
Three of the crashes happened along Interstate 70, one of them with fatalities.
Keely Trusell, 23, and Brandon Trusell, 25, Fort Smith Ark., died after injuries sustained in a wreck in Thomas County.
The crash occurred shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday when Keely Trusell was driving an SUV eastbound on I-70, just east of Kansas Highway 25. The SUV spun out of control due to weather, crossed the median into westbound traffic and was struck by a semitrailer.
The weather service, as well as local law enforcement agencies, are cautioning travelers to be prepared for snow-covered roads and limited visibilities, as well as advising people to use caution while driving.
The Kansas Highway Patrol is encouraging motorists to use caution while driving during the winter weather.
The KHP offers the following tips:
* Prepare your vehicle for winter travel by replacing your wiper blades, ensuring your tires have good tread, and checking your vehicle's fluids, exhaust system and other mechanical equipment.
* Clean frost and snow off all windows, mirrors and lights, and use your headlights for visibility.
* Accelerate and brake gently, and increase your following distance between you and other vehicles in adverse weather.
* Steer in the direction you want to go if your vehicle loses traction and begins to slide.
* Allow for more time when traveling to and from work, home, school, or other activities.
* Always wear your seat belt and properly secure children in the appropriate safety seats.
* Do not use cruise control when you are traveling in wet or snowy conditions.
* If you're involved in a non-injury crash that involves non-hazardous materials, if it is safe to do so, move your vehicle out of the lane of traffic to protect yourself as well as other motorists.
The Kansas Department of Transportation recently unveiled its new KanDrive travel information portal, which can be accessed at:
www.KanDrive.org. Drivers also can call 511 on cell phones for road conditions, closures, work zones and weather information.
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