Winter storm watch issued for New Year’s Eve

National Weather Service graphic

A winter storm watch will take effect for 9 p.m. Dec. 31 through 6 p.m. Jan. 1, according to the National Weather Service.

Freezing rain, snow and sleet may hit the area on New Year’s Eve, followed by more of the same plus snow on New Year’s Day, the weather service said.

From 1 to 3 inches of snow and up to three-tenths of an inch of ice is possible, according to the weather service.

Travel may become hazardous on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day because of icy and snowy roads, the weather service said.

Wednesday morning, area highways were slick in spots, with several accidents reported near I-635 and K-5 and also on I-435 near Leavenworth Road, according to KC Scout. The temperature was 33 degrees at 9 a.m.

Today, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 35 and a north northwest wind of 7 to 10 mph, the weather service said.

Tonight, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 19 and a north northwest wind of 6 mph becoming calm in the evening, according to the weather service.

Thursday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 37 and a calm wind becoming northeast 5 to 9 mph in the morning, the weather service said.

Thursday night, New Year’s Eve, there is an 80 percent chance of snow and sleet before 1 a.m., then snow, freezing rain and sleet between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m., then freezing rain and sleet after 3 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 26 with an east northeast wind of 8 to 14 mph, gusting as high as 24 mph. New ice accumulation of around a tenth of an inch is possible. New snow and sleet accumulation of around an inch is possible.

Friday, New Year’s Day, there is a 90 percent chance of snow, freezing rain and sleet before 8 a.m., then snow and freezing rain between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., then snow after 10 a.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 33 with a north northeast wind of 11 to 14 mph, gusting as high as 25 mph. New snow and sleet accumulation could be 1 to 3 inches.

Friday night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of about 20, according to the weather service.

Saturday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 33, the weather service said.

Saturday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 16, according to the weather service.

Sunday, it will be sunny, with a high near 41, the weather service said.

Sunday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 26, according to the weather service.

Monday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 45, the weather service said.

Monday night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 27, according to the weather service.

Tuesday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 44, the weather service said.