UPDATED at 4:40 p.m. Saturday. The National Weather Service has updated the forecast for our area. See the update here.
The winter storm warning has been expanded to include a larger swath of Kansas.
Saline County and surrounding counties are among those under a winter storm warning from 8 p.m. Saturday to noon on Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service office in Wichita (NWSW), a fast-moving, but impactful, weather system will bring a period of moderate to heavy snow Saturday evening through Sunday morning. The snow will be followed by breezy conditions, some blowing snow, and dangerously cold wind chill values.
The CDC warns about hypothermia and frostbite.
Be sure to bring your pets inside. If you have to be outside, limit your time in the dangerously frigid weather and dress in numerous layers.
Heavy snow is expected. In its 3:59 a.m. Saturday update, NWSW noted that total snow accumulations of 5 to 7 inches and wind gusts to 30 mph are expected.
Plan on slick and snow-covered roads. Areas of blowing snow could reduce the visibility even further. Dangerously cold wind chill values of 10 to 20 degrees below zero are expected Sunday morning and potentially again Sunday night into Monday. With these cold wind chill values, frostbite can occur on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
Be sure to keep an eye on this storm. If you have to travel on Saturday or Sunday, you can check road conditions at kandrive.org.