11:23 p.m. Most roads in and around Douglas County have a coating of snow on them. According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Highway 10, U.S. 59 and U.S. 40 through Lawrence were partly snowpacked.

5:07 p.m. It’s a “wait and see” approach from the city in regards to the incoming blast of winter weather. On Friday, crews at the Street Department began putting the spreaders on their trucks in preparation for winter weather.

“Once it starts snowing, we’ll spread sand and salt on all of the streets first and then we’ll see how much snow accumulates and when it accumulates to three inches, then we will start plowing and it’s just a matter of timing,” said Tom Orzulak, Street Department Manager.

Linda Cottin, owner of Cottin’s hardware, says their rush on snowmelt, shovels and ice scrapers began over the weekend.

“They were forecasting freezing rain and several people came in to get some ice melt and several people came in to get shovels,” Cottin said.

Cottin says the store stocks up on winter weather removal tools at the beginning of the season and hopes they sell most or all of it by winter’s end.

“Once it snows they come in for the sleds,” says Cottin. “Pools actually make great sleds.”

4:59 p.m. City of Lawrence crews are on the streets right now pre-treating areas that expected to get slick as icy, snowy precipitation begins to accumulate.

City crews are split into two, 12-hour shifts and will work around the clock when the snow is falling to keep the roads passable for motorists. According to the city, crews begin by spreading sand and salt on arterial streets — like Sixth Street or Iowa Street — before moving to other major streets, like Massachusetts or Bob Billings and eventually to residential areas.

Accumulation must reach at least three inches before city crews begin plowing operations.

The city Monday evening was also reminding residents that sidewalks must be cleared within 48 hours, per city ordinance. The fine is $20 per day, plus court costs, if residents are found guilty of not clearing their sidewalks.

3:27 p.m. 6News Chief Meteorologist Matt Elwell says winter weather accumulations are more likely to be in the 2-4″ range in the Lawrence area, but regions just a few miles north of Interstate 70 could see much greater totals, including the 6-9″ being predicted by the National Weather Service.

3:17 p.m. The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a winter storm warning for Douglas County and nearby counties Osage and Lyon from midnight tonight until 6 a.m. Wednesday, in addition to Leavenworth and Jefferson counties, which were warned earlier.

Lawrence and Emporia are included in the warning, which calls for an accumulation of snow and sleet between six and nine inches, according to preliminary reports. No more than a quarter inch of sleet is expected. The warning is effective from midnight Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Snow is expected to develop in central Kansas Monday evening and spread eastward. Look for snowfall to continue through Tuesday night.

Strong north winds on Tuesday night – at 20 to 30 miles per hour – blowing snow may affect travel conditions and bring a subzero windchill.

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