NWS expects first 'impactful snow' in northeast Kansas on Monday night. But will it stick?

They might not be the first flakes this winter, but Topekans could see some of the first measurable snowfall late Monday.

The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a Winter Weather Advisory that will run from 7 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday, in what Chelsea Picha said should be the first "impactful snow" in the area this season.

The main hazard a potentially slippery commute Tuesday morning, Picha said.

“There could be some slick spots tomorrow, especially on bridges and overpasses,” Picha said. “The main message is for people to take it slow on the roads and be aware of the conditions.”

Northeast Kansas will likely see a few inches of snow Monday

While light snow is expected Monday morning and afternoon, a second, heavier round of snow is expected later in the day.

Portions of eastern Kansas — including Topeka, Manhattan, Emporia and Ottawa — will likely see between 1 and 2 inches of snowfall. Some spots, including near Hiawatha and Johnson County, could see between 2 and 3 inches.

Snowfall for most areas should peak between 9 p.m. Monday and 3 a.m. Tuesday.

In any case, Picha said snow may mostly only stick on elevated surfaces, and accumulation in other spots will likely be less than the forecast totals.

Topeka, Shawnee County, KDOT road crews preparing for snow plowing, salting

Over the past few months, several government agencies have been preparing for the first impactful snowfall of the season.

The city of Topeka hired several new drivers over the last few weeks, and it christened its newest snow plow "Scoop Dawg" in October following a citywide naming contest.

Shawnee County Public Works director Curt Niehaus said his department has been preparing equipment "for this very thing."

"We’ve been working on equipment and we’ve got ample materials in place," Niehaus said. "If we get weather that will make the roads a little less safe, we will get material out there. Hopefully everyone will be able to get to work and other places safely."

Meanwhile, the Kansas Department of Transportation earlier this month cautioned the public that staffing difficulties may mean longer periods of unplowed roads following snowfall. The department had reported it was 24% below its regular staffing levels for plow operators.

“We want motorists to know ahead of time — it’s not a matter of if the highways will be cleared this winter, but when,” said transportation secretary Julie Lorenz. “KDOT crews will be proactive by shifting crews and pretreating surfaces whenever possible, but having fewer employees could cause delays in removing snow and ice from all the affected roadways.”

Cold front will hang around northeast Kansas

A cold front that ushered in a mass of frigid, Canadian air late last week will linger, Picha said, as weather systems reinforce the cold air and keep it around through the rest of the week.

Daily highs will remain in the 30s, although Thursday night will see the low dip to about 15 degrees in Topeka.

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Friday will remain cold at a high of 27 degrees. with temperatures starting to warm up slightly on Sunday with a high of 43.

While the recent cold has not reached record levels, Picha said the daily highs in the 30s this week will be around what the usual average lows are, since average highs in mid-November are around in the mid-50s.

No word yet on snow days or school closings for Topeka area

In the past few semesters of pandemic-era learning, schools have been more willing to grant snow days, with students having several days off school last spring.

Although remote learning is technically an option, most Topeka-area districts have preferred to fully cancel school during inclement weather, rather than shift to learning by computer.

No Topeka-area school district, however, has indicated any plans to cancel classes Tuesday.

How Topekans can keep themselves and pets safe in cold weather

While travel is not advised during periods of severe, inclement weather, there are several steps people can take to keep themselves and their pets safe.

The first is to stay informed and be aware of weather.

At home, homeowners can prepare their piping for freezing temperatures by allowing faucets to drip overnight, as well as by cracking open cabinet doors underneath sinks to allow warmer air to circulate around pipes.

Another suggestion is to keep a vehicle winter kit — which should include blankets, a flashlight, and first-aid supplies, among other items — ready in case a car becomes stuck or slides off the road.

Pets should be brought into homes when the weather is freezing, and care should be taken to protect dogs’ feet when taking them out for walks in the snow and ice.

If a pet cannot come inside, the next best thing is to ensure that animals have warm, insulated shelters facing away from the wind. Food and water should be protected from the freezing weather as well.

The Capital-Journal's Andrew Bahl contributed.

Rafael Garcia is an education reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached at rgarcia@cjonline.com or by phone at ‪785-289-5325. Follow him on Twitter at @byRafaelGarcia.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka to see 1-2 inches of snow Monday night, NWS says