Topeka sees 3.1 inches of snow; forecasters say sub-zero wind chill indices lie ahead

Tim Hrenchir, Topeka Capital-Journal
Updated ·4 min read

Snow, followed by high winds, had the Evergy electrical utility scrambling to keep up with the number of power outages it was seeing Tuesday in northeast Kansas.

More than 2,100 homes and businesses in the Topeka area were affected as of 10 a.m. Tuesday, with more than 22,000 affected in the greater Kansas City area, Evergy said on an online power outage map it maintains.

"Evergy is experiencing a large number of outages due to the winter storm," that site said. "High winds in excess of 50 mph have been the primary cause of power outages overnight and early Tuesday morning. Crews have restored power to more than 36,000 customers since the beginning of the storm."

Evergy had 1,500 crew members and contractors in the field working on outage restoration, the site added.

"Poor conditions and low visibility are factors that are slowing down restoration," it said.

As the day proceeded, the number of homes and businesses affected by power outages decreased..

Weather service: Sub-zero wind chills lie ahead

A truck rounds the corner of an on ramp from Highway 24 to southbound K-4 towards Topeka Tuesday as snow and freezing temperatures affect driving conditions.
A truck rounds the corner of an on ramp from Highway 24 to southbound K-4 towards Topeka Tuesday as snow and freezing temperatures affect driving conditions.

Tuesday's outages came in the wake of winter storms that had closed courts, schools and state government officers while bringing 3.4 inches of snow to the National Weather Service's Topeka office.

Snowfall totals were reported of 5.1 inches at McLouth, 5 inches at Ottawa, 4.5 inches at Abilene and 4 inches at Lawrence, said Matt Wolters, meteorologist for that office.

Meanwhile, winds were picking up Tuesday morning in the Topeka area, and forecasters warned that sub-zero wind chill indices lie ahead.

Wind chills expected to fall to 24 below zero

Bitterly cold weather lies ahead for Topeka, said this graphic posted early Tuesday linked to the website of the National Weather Service's Topeka office.
Bitterly cold weather lies ahead for Topeka, said this graphic posted early Tuesday linked to the website of the National Weather Service's Topeka office.

After coming from the northeast at 9 mph at 11 p.m. Monday, winds were coming from the northwest at 23 mph and gusting at up to 33 mph at 10 a.m. Tuesday, the weather service said.

Wind chills here were expected to remain below zero from Friday through Monday and bottom out at 24 degrees below zero at 6 a.m. Monday, said a graphic linked to the website of the weather service's Topeka office.

Chances of snow were predicted to be 70% Thursday night and 50% Friday.

Wind chill indices dipped to 29 degrees below zero here in December 2022.

The weather service urged residents to make sure furnaces are working well and to check on the vulnerable to make sure they can keep warm.

City street crews were working around the clock

Though Topeka received only 0.8 inches of snow during the first 18 hours of the day on Monday, the prospect of moderate to heavy snow forecast falling Monday night caused classes to be canceled in all unified school districts in Shawnee County.

Shawnee County District Court was also closed. Most state of Kansas employees were sent home early Monday and told not to come in on Tuesday. The Kansas Legislature had reconvened Monday.

Snow plows with Shawnee County work to clear N.E. 62nd St. Tuesday morning. The area received about 3 inches of snow overnight.
Snow plows with Shawnee County work to clear N.E. 62nd St. Tuesday morning. The area received about 3 inches of snow overnight.

Topeka received an additional 1.5 inches of snow between 6 p.m. and midnight Monday, raising that day's snowfall total to 2.3 inches, followed by another 1.1 inches between 12:01 a.m. and noon Tuesday, the weather service said.

Shawnee County administrative offices were opened at 10 a.m. Tuesday, and the treasurer's office at noon, said Amanda Monhollon, the county's public information officer.

City of Topeka offices were open Tuesday, said city communications director Gretchen Spiker.

City crews had been working around-the-clock and had cleared all major streets within Topeka city limits, she said.

The anticipated sub-zero temperatures and 3 inches of snow didn't stop Shawnee County employee Derrick Mead from getting his steps in Tuesday morning before working from home the rest of the day. City, county and KDOT crews could be seen clearing streets and sidewalks late Monday through Tuesday morning.
The anticipated sub-zero temperatures and 3 inches of snow didn't stop Shawnee County employee Derrick Mead from getting his steps in Tuesday morning before working from home the rest of the day. City, county and KDOT crews could be seen clearing streets and sidewalks late Monday through Tuesday morning.

Topeka police implemented walk-in accident reporting procedures late Monday and were responding only to crashes involving special circumstances such as injuries, hit-and-run drivers, impaired drivers or major traffic congestion, said Lt. Jason Schumacher.

All other drivers involved in crashes were asked to exchange insurance, registration and contact information and report the accidents later by calling 785-368-9551 or going to police headquarters at 320 S. Kansas Ave.

'Ease the freeze'

In anticipation of the bitter cold to come, Topeka's city government urged residents to "ease the freeze" by locating and insulating any exposed pipes that might freeze.

"These could be located in an attic, basement or crawlspace," the city said on its Facebook page. "Insulation will better protect your pipes from cold temperatures."

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka sees 3.1 inches of snow; forecasters say bitter cold lies ahead