Winter storm warning canceled; snow still likely

Douglas, surrounding counties included in advisory

11:50 a.m.

Snow is still expected, but the storm isn’t looking as severe as before.

The National Weather Service has canceled the winter storm warning. Instead, Douglas and the surrounding counties are under a winter storm advisory from 6 tonight through 6 p.m. Monday.

Forecasts now call for 2 to 5 inches of accumulation, with gusty winds expected Monday afternoon.

8:34 a.m.

The morning reports from the National Weather Service are in — and they don’t make it look good for Douglas County.

In the latest projections, Douglas County is included in the area that is expected to receive 8 to 10 inches of snow from a storm that will start tonight and go throughout the day Monday.

Higher amounts are possible closing to Interstate 35.

Winds are expected to blow between 15 and 25 mph, which could lead to some drifting snow.

Travel Monday morning could be very hazardous.

Follow all the latest storm updates, as well as any resulting school cancellations here. You can also sign up for e-mail and SMS alerts, to find out as soon as we do that area classes have been called off on Monday.

4:18 a.m.

The National Weather Service’s winter storm warning goes into effect at 6 p.m. Sunday evening and will last until Monday evening.

According to 6News meteorologist Ed Bloodsworth, light snow flurries, which have already begun to fall, will be hanging around throughout the morning and into the afternoon. The heavy snowfall that is expected wouldn’t reach Lawrence until sometime between 7 p.m. Sunday and midnight Monday.

Bloodsworth said the Lawrence area could see anywhere from four to eight or more inches of snow during the next 48 hours. Winds are also supposed to pick up late Monday, which will make driving conditions more hazardous. The whipping winds could blow snow across roads, limiting visibility and increasing the potential for accidents.

Temperatures are hovering around freezing and are expected to dip lower as the day goes on.

Sunday

6:02 p.m.

As of Saturday evening, the National Weather Service has not altered its winter storm watch, which is set to begin Sunday evening.

The most recent forecast from the National Weather Service calls for a slight chance of snow before noon Sunday followed by a chance of drizzle and snow Sunday afternoon. Temperatures could be as high as 36 degrees.

The Lawrence area is expected to see snowfall beginning Sunday night, with accumulation between 2 and 4 inches by the end of Sunday night. Snowfall is epected to continue into Monday and wind gusts could reach 30 miles per hour. Total forecast accumulation is 5 to 7 inches in the area between the Kansas Turnpike and Interstate 35.

The Tuesday forecast could include flurries with high temperatures dipping into the low 20s.

4:47 a.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Douglas County and surrounding counties effective Sunday evening.

Freezing drizzle will begin falling Sunday morning, slowly mixing with and eventually turning to snow Sunday afternoon. The snow is expected to fall throughout the night Sunday and into Monday morning. There is still some uncertainty around the amount of snowfall possible, but the NWS estimates it could be anywhere from six to 12 inches.

Winds are also predicted to be a factor Monday, which could cause considerable blowing and drifting of snow.

The watch is expected to expire Monday evening.

Saturday