It's payback time.
After enjoying weekend weather that saw temperatures soar to the mid-60s, Douglas County residents late Tuesday prepared for a winter storm expected to last through Thursday.
The storm began with sleet and freezing rain Tuesday afternoon, and intensified overnight.
"You can expect very icy streets and very icy sidewalks," said Larry Schultz, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Topeka, predicting what today's morning drive to work will be like.
Just before 11 p.m. Tuesday, Kansas University officials canceled classes today; staff members were given an extra hour to report.
Shortly before 9 p.m., the Lawrence school district announced its decision to cancel school today. Earlier in the afternoon, Bishop Seabury Academy made the decision to close school today. Veritas Christian School also called off classes.
Julie Boyle, Lawrence schools spokeswoman, said school officials would wait until at least later today to determine whether to extend the closings Thursday.
"We'll look again tomorrow and see what happens," Boyle said Tuesday night.
Street maintenance crews with the Lawrence Public Works Department began pre-treating streets about noon Tuesday, manager Tom Orzulak said. Crews spread sand and salt on less-busy residential streets so they could concentrate on the main thoroughfares prior to Tuesday's evening-hours rush.
"I'm really worried about the ice we might get, not the snow," Orzulak said. "It's going to be a long haul."
Forecasters called for a continued mix of sleet, freezing rain and snow this morning, changing to all snow.
Accumulations of up to 5 inches of ice and sleet could be realized, 6News forecaster Doug Heady said, before precipitation changes to snow.
Heavy snow could continue Thursday morning before ending by afternoon. High temperatures were expected in the mid-20s.
Area residents prepared for the worst, buying snow shovels, rock salt and other winter weather-related items, said Nathan Hawk, floor supervisor at Ace Hardware, 601 Kasold Drive.
"People started coming in (Monday) night," Hawk said. "They saw it coming."
Douglas County law enforcement officers were waiting for the usual onslaught of traffic accidents that comes with a winter storm.
"Other than just monitoring the situation, there isn't a lot we can do but hope for the best," Lawrence Police Sgt. Mark Warren said. "Once the streets do get slick and officers aren't responding to a call, they pull off and find someplace to park and stay in their cars."
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