Editor’s Note: We are continually updating this story. Check more throughout the morning.
Snow from a winter storm that swept across Missouri left roads slippery for the morning commute to Kansas City.
“We are seeing several reports of crashes on area roads this morning,” the Kansas City National Weather Service said on social media. “Light snow is reducing visibility and road conditions are still slippery.”
Drivers were asked to allow extra time for their commute and to slow down and leave plenty of space between themselves and the vehicles around them.
“Some roads are covered in snow in eastern Jackson County,” said Jackson County Sheriff Darryl Forte’. “Drive according to road conditions to get to your destination safely.”
Kia pulled under semi-trailer after sliding through traffic light
A semi-truck pulled a silver Kia with its driver within about eight miles after the car is believed to have skidded through a red light and become trapped under the truck’s trailer, said Capt. Brad Robbins, spokesman of the Leawood Police Department.
Investigators believe the accident occurred as the truck crossed a green light from the off-ramp of Westbound Interstate 435 at State Line Road in Leawood. The Kia was traveling south on Interstate and skidded through a red light. It then hit the trailer in front of the rear wheels, police said.
Police from several agencies began receiving calls around 3:40 a.m. that a westbound semi-truck on I-435 was pulling the Kia. Overland Park officers stopped the truck at approximately 3:46 am at the intersection of I-435 and Lackman Road.
The Kia was trapped under the rear passenger side of the trailer. The driver, a 28-year-old woman from Kansas City, was taken to the hospital for tests.
Area schools announce closures, delays
Update 7:40.: Several Kansas City-area school districts have announced closures or delays due to winter weather and road conditions.
Among the school districts that have announced the closures are Kansas City Public Schools, the Shawnee Mission School District, the DeSoto Unified School District and the Independence School District.
A more detailed list of closures and delays can be found here.
Declan Kearns, right, and Finn Langston fall off their sled while attempting a jump they did on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 in Kansas City.
The snow ends in Kansas City
Update 7:30am: The winter storm warning for the Kansas City area was canceled just before 7:30 a.m., the weather service said.
“The snow ended up in northeastern Kansas and northwestern Missouri, so the warning has been canceled,” the weather service said.
Smooth spots still remain on some highways, city streets, sidewalks, and parking lots. The weather service has advised people to be careful when travelling.
A pedestrian walks near the corners of West 21st Street and West Pennway Street during a light snowfall Wednesday, January 25, 2023 in Kansas City.
Messy commute in Kansas City
Update 7am Highways in the Kansas City area were mostly clear or partially covered in snow on the Missouri side of the Kansas City area, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation’s road condition map.
On the Kansas Metro side, the highways were wet or partially covered in snow, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation’s road condition map.
The Kansas City Scout traffic map showed several incidents throughout the Metro, including along Interstate 435 near US Highway 24, Interstate 49 near the Three Trails Crossings, and Interstate 670 near Seventh Street Trafficway.
Crews worked through the night in Blue Springs to treat the streets, the city said on social media. They asked people to move their vehicles off the road to give the plows room to work.
RideKC said that most of its buses run regular routes and schedules. RideKC Freedom, On-Demand, Flex and Micro Transit services were running under the agency’s Phase A weather plan with possible delays of 30-60 minutes.
KC Streetcar said its crews got up early to keep the tracks and platforms clean. The tram operated during normal Wednesday hours from 6:00 to midnight.
“The tracks and platforms are clear and the trams are running,” the tram service said.
People should use caution when walking as the untreated sidewalks and parking lots were slippery and covered in snow.
Winter weather advisory canceled for eastern Kansas
Update 6am: The National Weather Service has canceled a winter weather advisory for several counties west of the Kansas City metro area, including Jefferson, Douglas and Shawnee counties.
“The snow ended up all over eastern Kansas, so the warning has been canceled,” the weather service said. “There may still be some slippery spots on roads, driveways and sidewalks this morning, so be careful as you travel early today.”
