About an inch of snow was on the ground this morning in Wyandotte County, accompanied by subzero temperatures.
The temperature was minus 2 at 9 a.m. Thursday, with a wind chill of minus 22, the National Weather Service said.
The weather service said freezing drizzle ahead of the snow created some slick spots around area roadways.
Blowing snow has reduced visibility across the region, according to the weather service.
Temperatures will continue to fall on Thursday, and will remain below zero through the afternoon, the weather service said. Dangerously cold temperatures will continue through Sunday.
The snow will conclude early this afternoon; however, blowing snow will continue to reduce visibility on Thursday and Friday, the weather service said.
The winter storm warning continues through midnight Thursday, according to the weather service. Additional snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches is possible, with winds gusting as high as 40 mph.
The wind chill warning continues until noon Saturday, according to the weather service. Dangerously cold wind chills are expected, as low as 35 below zero.
Motorists are warned about slipper road conditions with areas of blowing snow that could significantly reduce visibility.
Dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes, the weather service said.
Many area government offices have closed Thursday and Friday, including nonessential buildings of the Unified Government, because of the winter storm. The Unified Government has a snow and emergency parking ordinance in effect from now until 11:59 p.m. Friday.
Various government officials are advising people not to go out in the dangerously cold weather if they don’t have to.
Today, there is an 80 percent chance of snow, mainly before 11 a.m., the weather service said. Widespread blowing snow is in the forecast mainly before noon. There will be a steady temperature around minus 7. Wind chill values will be between minus 29 and minus 34. A northwest wind of 21 to 24 mph will gust as high as 37 mph. From 1 to 3 inches of snow is possible.
Tonight, there will be patchy blowing snow with a low of minus 6, according to the weather service. Wind chill will be between minus 26 and minus 31. It will be blustery, with a northwest wind of 20 to 23 mph, gusting as high as 37 mph.
Friday, there will be patchy blowing snow before 5 p.m., with a high near 6, the weather service said. The wind chill will be between minus 18 and minus 28. It will be blustery, with a west northwest wind of 18 to 22 mph, gusting as high as 37 mph.
Friday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of minus 1, according to the weather service. The wind chill will be between minus 14 and minus 19. A west northwest wind of 11 to 17 mph will gust as high as 28 mph.
Saturday, it will be sunny and cold, with a high near 15, the weather service said. A northwest wind of 8 to 11 mph will gust as high as 22 mph.
Saturday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 3, according to the weather service.
Sunday, Christmas Day, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 26, the weather service said.
Sunday night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 18, according to the weather service.
Monday, it will be partly sunny with a high near 30, the weather service said.
Monday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 14, according to the weather service.
Tuesday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 37, the weather service said.
Tuesday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 26, according to the weather service.
Wednesday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 16, the weather service said.