photo by: Walt Clogston

Lawrence's South Park as snow falls Saturday morning, Nov. 30, 2024.

Over the weekend, a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain is expected across almost all of northeast Kansas.

The winter storm is expected to begin Saturday evening and continue into Sunday. In Lawrence, the forecast on Saturday includes a high of 28 degrees, with mostly cloudy skies and a chance of a wintry mix, meaning potential freezing rain and sleet. In the evening, temperatures will drop to 18 degrees, accompanied by a wintry mix. On Sunday, the high will reach 23 degrees, with the wintry mix turning into snow. The evening will see a low of 2 degrees, with a slight chance of snow later that night.

Matt Flanagan, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Topeka, told the Journal-World that right now, the amount of snowfall is still kind of up in the air depending on how quickly the weather transitions from freezing rain to snow this weekend. However, he said at least a couple of inches is expected.

“I think a couple of inches, two to three is a good bet, with some ice accumulation before that and (the) snow coming in behind that,” Flanagan said.

photo by: Screenshot

The weather forecast for Saturday, January 4 through Sunday, January 5 by the National Weather Service Topeka.

In Northeastern Kansas, towns such as Concordia, Marysville, and Hiawatha are expected to experience the heaviest snowfall, primarily moderate to heavy snow, with some sleet and freezing rain at the onset. Cities like Abilene, Manhattan, Topeka, and Kansas City will see a mix of sleet, freezing rain, and moderate to heavy snow. To the south, in areas like Emporia and Garnett, the weather will mostly consist of sleet and freezing rain, with moderate snowfall.

According to a short press release from the NWS, there will be some forecast adjustments over the next few days as confidence increases and details about the storm become clearer.

Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister said that there are some roads that are more dangerous than others while traveling on icy and snow-covered roads.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s 70 degrees and sunny, K-10 highway is prone to accidents because people drive too fast,” Armbrister said. ” … And if you throw in even a little bit of water, much less snow and ice, it gets a little (slippery) out there.”

photo by: National Weather Service Topeka

Details on the winter storm for Saturday, January 4 through Sunday, January 5.

He also mentioned that U.S. 40 Highway, also known as Sixth Street, leaving Lawrence can be hazardous to drive on during a snowstorm due to its narrowness, windy sections, and numerous hills.

Armbrister said that if you need to drive somewhere, and in case of an accident, it’s important to know where you’re traveling ahead of time and know where you are on the roads in case of an emergency.

“Make sure that your phone is charged up and avoid distractions at all costs in this kind of weather,” Armbrister said. ” … I always like to tell people (to) know where you are. If you call and say, ‘I just slid into a ditch,’ … and you have no clue where you are, it doesn’t do anybody any good, and it’s going to create a lot more work and more time for us to get to you.”

Flanagan said that regardless of the amount of precipitation, expect periods of hazardous travel and keep an eye on the forecast.

“If you’re traveling this weekend, make sure to stay up to date on the forecast and consider altering your travel plans,” Flanagan said.