This area can expect six to 10 inches of snow, National Weather Service meteorologist Andy Kleinsasser said.
“Cowley County is right in the cross hairs for some of the heavier snow,” he said about 9 a.m. “That doesn’t mean everyone will get that amount but a good swath of six to 10 inches is highly probable.”
The front was sitting on top of the county while Kleinsasser was talking. He said winds would pick up once the front started moving east and predicted between 15 and 25 miles an hour.
“It’s not going to be horrible – at least we’re not looking at 40 to 50 miles an hour,” Kleinsasser said. “There will be some blowing and drifting but I don’t think it’s going to be quite as bad as we thought it would be.”
The county remains under a storm warning until 6 p.m. Area schools are closed. Travel is hazardous and discouraged. At one point, visibility was reported only about a block.
The heaviest snowfall should occur this morning through 1 to 2 p.m. Things will start to wind down by early to mid-afternoon.
“Most of the really heavy accumulation of snow will be in the next five hours. Some snow will be remain in the area another three hours after that,” Kleinsasser said.
At least a dozen vehicles wound up in ditches this morning but no serious injuries have been reported, County Sheriff Bob Odell said. Two semis were stuck in several different areas of the county.
“Be cautious if you have to travel,” he said. “If you don’t have to travel, do not. Stay at home until we can get the roads clear and somewhat dry. It’s just slick and hazardous out there.”
Winfield Police Officer Tom Campbell said the biggest problem for officers patrolling the highways has been the vehicles sliding off roads into ditches although state and county road crews were out treating roads.
“Roads are snow packed and slick,” Campbell said.
