Ice storm hits Kansas and Missouri
Multiple accidents have been reported due to ice accumulations on roads across Kansas and Missouri on Saturday, January 4, 2025, as a potent winter storm brought severe weather conditions to the region. The storm delivered freezing rain, sleet, and snow, creating hazardous travel conditions and prompting authorities to issue warnings for drivers to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
A major winter storm affecting much of the U.S. has brought severe weather to Kansas and Missouri over the weekend. Widespread freezing drizzle began developing in several areas on Saturday, January 4, leading to ice accumulation on roads, causing slick and hazardous conditions.
Thunder and sleet were reported at the Eisenhower Airport, which recorded an ice accumulation of 4.6 mm (0.18 inches) as of Saturday evening. Meanwhile, as of Saturday evening, Colby reported the highest ice accumulation in Kansas so far with 10.2 mm (0.4 inches).
Russell Airport and Hutchinson also recorded significant ice accumulation between Friday and Saturday. Russell Airport reported 8.6 mm (0.34 inches) on Saturday evening, while Hutchinson reported 7.9 mm (0.31 inches).
Graupel has also been reported in parts of Kansas during the early hours of Sunday, January 5, due to the ice storm.
Multiple accidents have already been reported due to the severe weather conditions. The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Wichita is urging citizens to stay home and avoid travel during the storm.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) reported that several parts of the I-70 were closed due to crashes and icy road conditions. A tractor-trailer also reportedly got jackknifed on the route bringing traffic to a standstill.
Cars and trucks were caught sliding across the road on route I-135 due to ice accumulations on the road.
Snow and ice are expected to continue in affected regions through Sunday morning, with significant accumulations anticipated in several areas. Some areas could see up to 46 cm (18 inches) of snow and 12.7 mm (0.5 inches) of ice accumulations through Sunday morning.
Ice and snow accumulations are expected to make travel conditions hazardous, if not impossible, and could cause power outages in some areas.
Blizzard Warnings, Winter Storm Warnings, and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for several areas across Kansas and Missouri. Several areas in Missouri, such as Cape Girardeau, are under Ice Storm Warnings as of Sunday morning.
Featured image credit: Live Storms Media (stillshot)
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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