A winter storm on Friday night produced only around 1 inch of snow in Wyandotte County, and cold temperatures are the greater hazard tonight.
According to the National Weather Service, tonight’s low will be around 8 degrees, with wind chill values of between minus 1 and 4. Also, a north wind of 5 to 9 mph could gust as high as 18 mph.
For Sunday, the high will reach about 25 degrees, and Sunday night’s low will be around 18, according to the weather service.
Despite less snow than expected, slick conditions from the storm this morning resulted in a fatality near Stilwell, Kansas.
A Kansas Department of Transportation employee lost his life in a snowplow accident about 5:50 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, one miles south of Stilwell, Kansas, according to a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper’s report.
The employee, Stephen N. Windler, 25, of Paola, Kansas, was plowing snow on U.S. 69 Highway when the plow traveled to the right, onto the shoulder and then into the grass, the trooper’s report stated. It rotated counter-clockwise, then started to tip. The snowplow then ejected the driver, and it rolled one and one-fourth times, coming to rest on top of the driver, the trooper’s report stated. The driver was declared dead at the scene.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and KDOT have expressed their condolences to the family of the worker.
“My heart is breaking for the family of this dedicated KDOT employee,” Gov. Kelly said in a news release. “Our KDOT personnel work very hard, at all hours, in dangerous conditions to make our roads safer for their fellow Kansas citizens. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the entire KDOT family at this devastating time.”
At 6 a.m. Sunday, residents can expect temperatures of 8 degrees with a wind chill of 1; at noon Sunday, the temperature will be 19 degrees with a wind chill of 13; and at 5 p.m. Sunday, the temperature will be 23 or 24 degrees with a wind chill of 16.
The University of Kansas Health System released some tips for fans to beat the cold at the Chiefs AFC title game Sunday at 5:30 p.m.
According to doctors, it doesn’t take long for exposed skin to become frostbitten. Fans suffering from frostbite may visit one of the KU Health Systems’ seven first aid stations at Arrowhead Stadium.
Some of the symptoms of frostbite are tingling, pain, numbness, sense of burning and loss of movement.
Doctors said it is important to dress safe and warm, covering any exposed areas, and also to stay hydrated.
According to KU doctors fans should remember the acronym “C.O.L.D.” It stands for Clean, clean clothes avoid dirt or moisture that could allow the wind and cold to penetrate; Overheat, layered clothing with zippers allows you to ventilate to avoid sweating; Layer, wool or synthetic layers provide optimum warmth, avoid cotton; and Dry, select clothes that will help you stay dry.