Snowstorm to hit Kansas later than expected. Bitter cold to follow in Topeka

• A winter storm is expected to hit parts of Kansas between Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing 5 to 9 inches of snow.
• Wind chills on Thursday morning could reach as low as -15 degrees, increasing the risk of frostbite.
• The storm is expected to make travel difficult, with slick roads and reduced visibility.

Very cold air is expected to enter north-central, northeast and east-central Kansas early Thursday in the wake of a winter storm expected to bring the area 5 to 9 inches of dry, fluffy snow between late Tuesday and late Wednesday, forecasters cautioned.

Wind chill indices Thursday morning are expected to range from minus 5 to minus 15 degrees in the area involved, the National Weather Service’s Topeka office said Tuesday morning in a graphic posted on its website.

“Cover exposed skin if outside as frostbite can set in within 30 minutes,” that graphic said.

While forecasters had predicted the storm would be preceded late Monday and Tuesday morning by snowfall totaling as much as an inch in the same area, the weather service said Topeka hadn’t seen any snow as of 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Storm now expected to arrive later than initially thought

The weather service on Monday issued a winter storm warning lasting until 6 p.m. Wednesday for most of north-central, northeast and east-central Kansas, then expanded that early Wednesday to also include some counties southeast of Interstate 35.

In addition, forecasters adjusted their predictions regarding the timing of the storm, which they had initially anticipated would reach most of the area involved by 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Snow is now expected to reach Concordia in north-central Kansas by 6 p.m. and Marysville, Topeka, Abilene, Emporia, Garnett, Hiawatha, Lawrence and Manhattan by 9 p.m., said a graphic posted on the website of the weather service’s Topeka office.

The weather revised the winter storm warning it issued Monday to arrange for it to begin at 9 p.m. Tuesday in Shawnee, Jackson, Jefferson, Douglas, Osage, Wabaunsee, Pottawatomie, Morris, Riley, Brown, Nemaha and Marshall counties.

That warning still begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Republic, Washington, Cloud, Clay, Ottawa and Dickinson counties.

When will the storm peak?

Snowfall is expected to peak between Midnight Tuesday and 9 a.m. Wednesday, then continue through late Wednesday afternoon, the weather service said.

“Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous,” it said. “Travel could be very difficult.”

Falling snow could also bring reduced visibility, forecasters said.

How much snow is expected?

The weather service predicted snowfall totals would be as follow:

• 6 to 9 inches at Concordia, Manhattan and Hiawatha.
• 6 to 8 inches at Holton.
• 5 to 9 inches at Salina and Kansas City, Kansas.
• 5 to 8 inches at Topeka, Marysville and St. Joseph, Missouri.
• 4 to 8 inches at Ottawa.
• 4 to 6 inches at Emporia and Ottawa.

“Winds are not expected to be overly strong with gusts of 20 to 25 mph as snow is falling,” the weather service said. “This could still lead to blowing and drifting snow given the dry and fluffy nature of the snow.”

Governor issues pre-emptive state of disaster declaration

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly issued an oral, pre-emptive state of disaster declaration Sunday in preparation for the anticipated storm.

“The declaration allows resources to be used to provide state assistance, specifically the waiver of hours of service for propane providers,” the governor’s office said in a news release.

Kelly encouraged Kansans to prepare for the storm by creating an emergency plan and home emergency kit.

Storm prompts opening of warming centers, shortening of meeting

Topeka Rescue Mission Ministries announced Monday afternoon it would team up with Fellowship Hi-Crest beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday to offer warming centers for the public at 601 N.W. Harrison and 455 S.E. Golf Park Blvd.

The Kansas State Board of Education, which had planned to hold a two-day meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday, announced Monday that the anticipated winter storm had prompted it to decide to meet for one day only, on Tuesday.

“The agenda item regarding action on the removal of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from graduation requirements, scheduled for Wednesday, will be moved to the board’s March agenda,” the announcement said. “Members are expected to take up the rest of Wednesday’s agenda items on Tuesday.”

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.