Roads around Lawrence grow slick as snow, freezing drizzle, fall Monday night

9:30 p.m. update

Less than an inch of snow has piled up in Lawrence, but the Kansas Department of Transportation warns that streets and highways will be treacherous tonight as temperatures drop and ice freezes over roads.

A winter weather advisory remains in effect until 6 a.m. Tuesday, and northeastern Kansas can expect more snow until midnight, according to the National Weather Service. Freezing drizzle may reach Lawrence from south of Interstate Highway 70.

All of Interstate 70 between Topeka and Kansas City is snow packed, as are Kansas Highway 10 and Highway 59. Elsewhere, highways are covered in slush. But of more concern, transportation officials say, is the black ice that is likely to form on roads, as thin sheets of water freeze and create an invisible hazard.

The low temperature tonight, according to the weather service forecast, is 27 degrees. The wind chill may reach down to 10 degrees.

8:00 p.m. update

Kansas Highway 10 is covered in snow from Lawrence to De Soto with “slush” across the rest, the Kansas Department of Transportation reports. The National Weather Service shows freezing drizzle is moving into Lawrence from south of Interstate Highway 70.

7:00 p.m. update

The Kansas Department of Transportation warns that, with freezing temperatures setting in and some freezing rain on the way, road conditions will grow increasingly hazardous Monday night.

Kansas roads, especially on hills, are slick and drivers should watch for black ice. Road crews are out treating roads and plowing snow.

The National Weather Service reports Lawrence has accumulated less than an inch of snow, but more is expected to fall until midnight. Wind chills late into the night may dip down to 10 degrees.

3:30 p.m. update

The Kansas Department of Transportation road conditions map shows Interstate 70, between Topeka and Lawrence, is snow packed.

The National Weather Service map shows more snow heading toward Lawrence.

10:45 a.m. Monday update

Snow has been trickling down in Lawrence since this morning. The National Weather Service predicts 1 to 2 inches in the area throughout Monday, with snow tapering off around midnight.

A winter weather advisory remains in effect until 6 a.m. Tuesday.

For a look at the NWS radar, visit http://1.usa.gov/HavKeo.

Sunday

The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a winter weather advisory that includes the likelihood of snow on Monday. City workers will be out preparing for snow on Lawrence streets early Monday morning.

According to the weather service’s hazardous weather alert, a storm system in the desert southwest will move into the central plains, bringing snow with it. The heaviest snowfall is expected from noon through 9 p.m. Monday. Snow is expected to taper off after midnight. Accumulations are expected in the 2- to 5-inch range.

City maintenance crews will begin preparing for the snow at 4 a.m. Monday morning, according to release from City Hall Communications Manager Megan Gilliland Sunday night. Crews have already treated the pavement and will start sand and salt operations Monday morning.

Mark Thiel, assistant public works director, said despite the city’s efforts to keep streets clear, motorists should slow down and allow extra time for driving.

Kansas counties that will be affected include Douglas, Jefferson, Franklin, Shawnee, Lyon, Osage, Republic, Washington, Marshall, Nemaha, Brown, Cloud, Clay, Riley, Pottawatomie, Jackson, Ottawa, Dickinson, Geary, Morris, Wabaunsee, Coffey and Anderson. And these cities will be affected: Lawrence, Topeka, Ottawa, Emporia, Marysville, Hiawatha, Concordia, Clay Center, Manhattan, Abilene and Junction City.

The weather advisory is in effect from 6 a.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday.

The weather service said light snow will develop late Sunday night south of Interstate 70 and move north across the rest of the affected area through midday Monday. Higher amounts of snow are expected along the I-70 corridor west of Topeka.

Winds during the storm will blow out of the north/northeast at 10 to 15 mph.

The weather service said roads likely will become slick, which will make driving hazardous.