WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – 3.45pm Update: The city of Wichita held a briefing Tuesday as snow fell on the subway. City officials said they were equipped with several thousand tons of a salt-sand mixture to treat streets affected by the winter weather. As with previous events, crews will begin treating main roads near hospitals and schools first and then move onto secondary roads as the snow drifts through the night.
Sedgwick County Public Works said it has already split its field crews into 12-hour shifts and is monitoring weather and pavement temperatures, predicting that snow will pile up once air and ground temperatures ground will drop below zero. When temperatures drop in the late afternoon, Sedgwick County said its crews will remove snow from the roads before applying a sand and salt mix.
“Public Works is well stocked and well prepared with plenty of products to combat this storm,” the county said. “Drivers, please reduce your speed, respect the snowplows and keep your distance.”
Snow began falling in southern Kansas around 11 am Tuesday. Storm Team 12 said the system moving the storm into the state should drop a two-inch trail of snowfall by Wednesday morning along a line from Dodge City to Topeka.
Although Storm Team 12 does not forecast a major weather event for Kansas, travel problems are possible overnight into early Wednesday morning.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) in Wichita and south-central Kansas said the roads were treated sooner. The crews were sent home at noon in anticipation of the impending weather.
Motorists are advised to slow down, leave plenty of space between their vehicle and the one in front, and allow themselves plenty of time to reach their destination.
The City of Wichita will hold a briefing at 3:00 p.m. to provide an update on its weather plan. 12 News will broadcast the briefing live.
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