Wednesday, 6:30pm: Weekend Winter Storm Update

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Let's begin with the ice storm. 

The upper map shows the area that will be affected by the ice storm.

The map below shows where at least a quarter of an inch of ice is expected. From around Dodge City to Abilene/Manhattan are could have an inch or so of ice accumulation. If I am correct, it means there will be serious, and possibly long duration, power outages.
The only good thing is that we are not expecting high winds to accompany the ice.

Heavy Snow:
Heavy snow will fall to the west and north of the ice storm area.

Flooding:
That is 4.3 inches on the Kansas-Oklahoma border west of Liberal. Given the frozen ground in some areas, there is the potential for flooding due to the heavy precipitation.

If you live in the area where heavy freezing rain is forecast or the area of very heaviest snow, please consider the following suggestions:

  • Making sure critical prescriptions are filled.

  • Make sure your fuel tank is full.

  • Make sure you have extra cash (ATMs and credit card machines don't work when the power is out)

  • If you have a generator, make sure you have fuel. If you think you need a generator, now is a good time even if this storm does not pan out but get on that right away.

  • Consider a "inverter" to keep phone charged, computer charged, and, with a large inverter, maybe an appliance or two. 

  • Backup critical data. 

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