Area under winter advisory; I-70 closed at Goodland, Kan.

Snow accumulation forecast for overnight. (National Weather Service graphic)
Snow accumulation forecast for overnight. (National Weather Service graphic)

UPDATE: At 7 p.m., I-70 closed at Hays, Kan.

Original story: Winter weather is inching its way toward the Kansas City area.

Currently, western Kansas is experiencing a winter storm.

I-70 was closed from Goodland west to the Colorado state line about 4:30 p.m. Saturday, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation. I-70 is also closed in eastern Colorado.

While temperatures were 42 degrees at 4 p.m. in Kansas City, Kan., temperatures are expected to drop as precipitation arrives later this afternoon and evening. There is a 60 percent chance of precipitation.

Starting with rain, precipitation will probably change to a rain and snow mix, according to the National Weather Service.

There will be a transition to snow that is expected to spread across the region. One to two inches of snow is expected tonight. Isolated areas may receive 3 inches of snow.

The snow will taper from southwest to northeast after midnight, according to the weather service.

Areas of blowing snow are expected tonight with brisk northwest winds after 10 p.m.

A winter weather advisory is in effect until 3 a.m. Sunday, the weather service said.

The expected snowfall may create some travel problems. Areas where the pavement is wet may be prone to the formation of black ice due to a flash freeze with the rapid onset of frigid temperatures, the weather service stated.
If this occurs very dangerous driving conditions would result, the weather service said.

Gusty northwest winds tonight and Sunday morning will send temperatures into the single digits to lower teens, resulting in wind chill readings from 10 to 15 below zero.

The weather service advised caution while walking or driving.

For up-to-date weather information, visit www.weather.gov.

Forecast for wind chill values Sunday morning. (National Weather Service graphic)
Forecast for wind chill values Sunday morning. (National Weather Service graphic)