The second wave of winter's worst will roll across Kansas Thursday as the heart of this week's powerful winter storm plows though our region.
A winter storm warning remains in effect for all of Kansas and Missouri along with most of Nebraska through Thursday evening.
The southeastern third of Kansas will see thunder snow mixed with sleet and at times freezing rain, Thursday morning. Elsewhere, heavy snow and blowing snow will continue to make driving a huge challenge, even potentially dangerous, through Thursday evening. Snow-packed and icy roads will still be a problem in the wake of the storm Friday too.
The heaviest snowfall will target central sections of our state where locations such as Hays, Russell, Great Bend, Hill City, Concordia and Smith Center will likely see over a foot or more. Look for 9 to 11 inches around Wichita and expect 11 to 13 inches near Hutchinson.
The snow will slowly end from the southwest to the northeast late Thursday but gusty northerly winds will continue to cause blowing snow through the evening hours and into early Friday morning.
Friday will be partly cloudy and chilly with lighter winds and highs in the 20s and lower-30s.
Saturday will be mostly sunny and a bit warmer with highs in the upper-30s to around 40 degrees.
Another, albeit weaker, storm system will make it's way across our state Sunday night into early Monday morning bringing more much needed moisture.
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Wichita Area Forecast:
** Winter Storm Warning until 6 p.m. **
Today: Thunder snow/sleet this a.m. tapering to light snow or sleet p.m.; additional 4 to 6". TOTAL: 10-12". Wind: E/NE 15-25; gusty. High: 31.
Tonight: Snow/sleet ends this evening then decreasing clouds. Wind: NE/NW 10-20. Low: 13.
Tomorrow: Partly cloudy and cold. Wind: NW/SW 5-10. High: 26.
Tomorrow night: Clearing; very cold. Wind: SE/E 15-25; gusty. Low: 9.
Sat: High: 35 Mostly sunny to partly cloudy.
Sun: High: 40 Low: 24 Increasing clouds; a chance for rain/snow overnight.
Mon: High: 38 Low: 28 a.m. flurries then mostly cloudy and breezy.
Tue: High: 41 Low: 25 Partly cloudy.
Wed: High: 43 Low: 26 Mostly to partly cloudy.
Thu: High: 39 Low: 22 Mostly sunny but chilly.
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