TOPEKA (KSNT) – Kansas transportation officials have issued a warning Thursday ahead of an expected round of severe winter weather.
Philip Harris with the Kansas Department of Transportation announced in a press release on Jan. 22 that bitterly cold temperatures and several inches of snow are in the forecast for the weekend of Jan. 23-24. KDOT is encouraging people to limit travel while these conditions persist as driving could become treacherous.
“We urge the public to limit travel for the safety of both motorists and our workers,” said KDOT Emergency Management Coordinator Jim Frye. “If you must travel, be prepared. Check KanDrive.gov for current road conditions before you leave. It’s maintained 24/7 and offers real-time camera views so you can see the road conditions for yourself.”
City of Topeka braces for arctic blast this weekend
Harris said blowing snow will likely be present across much of the state, causing visibility issues on Kansas highways. Wind gusts of up to 30 mph could cause dry snow to drift over the highways and re-cover them despite plowing efforts. He encourages drivers to keep the following things in mind during this winter weather event:
- If you must travel, inspect your vehicle’s fluid levels and tire pressures and maintain at least half a tank of gas.
- Frostbite can occur rapidly in low temperatures. Stock an emergency kit prior to leaving your home.
- Check online resources like KanDrive.gov for the latest road updates.
You can check out our latest weather forecast by clicking here. For the latest weather alerts, click here.
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