MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Crews with the Kansas Department of Transportation are prepared to respond as a winter weather system moves into parts of Kansas, even as impacts locally are expected to remain limited.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory beginning at 2 p.m. Friday and continuing through midnight. According to KDOT spokesperson Nick Gosnell, conditions have already begun to deteriorate in parts of southwest Kansas, though central areas had not yet seen significant impacts as of early Friday afternoon.
“So far in southwest Kansas, southwest of where we are, they are starting to see some of the snow stick,” Gosnell said. “But most crews have been sent home to rest because the bulk of this is expected later, and we want everyone rested and ready.”
While the system is expected to be relatively minor, Gosnell emphasized that even light snow can create hazardous conditions.
“It’s minor until your car goes in the ditch,” he said. “Drivers need to take extra time, slow down, and give plows room to work.”
Because of warm ground temperatures, widespread pretreatment of roadways has been limited. Gosnell said some bridges are being treated where possible, but applying chemicals too early could be ineffective.
“With as warm as it is, it would take some snow accumulation before treatments really work,” he said. “A lot of it would just wash off right now, so we’re in a wait-and-see mode.”
KDOT crews remain on standby and will respond as conditions change.
Although winter weather can be unpredictable—especially during the first event of the season—Gosnell said KDOT’s preparation is anything but.
“We start preparing for winter and testing equipment in October,” he said. “Some years you’ve got kids trick-or-treating in snowdrifts, some years you don’t see anything until after New Year’s. Either way, we’re ready.”
Gosnell urged motorists to exercise caution, particularly as this system arrives on a Friday evening when travel, including high school sporting events, is still taking place.
“This is the first time people have driven in winter weather in six to ten months,” he said. “You may also have younger or less experienced drivers on the road. Give yourself extra time, slow down, and if you don’t have to go, don’t go.”
KDOT officials say conditions are expected to improve as the weekend progresses, but drivers are reminded to stay alert, maintain extra stopping distance, and follow plows at a safe distance when encountered.