Schools closed, traffic slow as Kansas City deals with snow, frigid temps

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Significant snow has moved into the area and is expected to last through Tuesday evening.

Extreme cold has also settled in the area and could linger until Friday.

LINK | KSHB 41 Weather
LINK | Latest Radar
LINK | KSHB 41 Weather Blog
LINK | KSHB 41 Closings and Cancellations
LINK | Resources

Check back for updates as the winter weather develops.

—

1:15 p.m. | Leavenworth USD 453 has decided to cancel school for Wednesday due to "poor road conditions and severe low temperatures."

12:55 p.m. | The weather has caused some municipal courts to close early.

12:50 p.m. | The city of Lee's Summit shared warming centers around the city that are open during regular business hours.

11:40 a.m. | KSHB 41 meteorologist Wes Peery says road conditions are likely to get worse with incoming snow.

11:10 a.m. | The KSHB 41 Weather team has the latest on the snow and possible record-breaking cold temperatures this week.

Read more here.

11:05 a.m. | I-70 eastbound near Exit 24 has reopened.

11 a.m. | The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, has delayed trash and recycling pickup by a day. It has also delayed the Mobile Food Vendor Educational & Resource Event from Wednesday, Feb. 19, until Wednesday, Feb. 26.

Starting at 3 a.m., KCK snow crews initiated 12-hour shifts to respond to the winter weather.

Here are a few reminders for residents:

• Avoid parking on the street to allow plows to operate efficiently.
• If parking on the street cannot be avoided, park your vehicle as close to the curb or street edge as possible.
• Drive cautiously and allow extra time for travel, as roads may be slick due to decreasing temperatures.
• When facing the street, shovel snow to the right side of driveways to reduce the chance of plows pushing snow back into cleared areas.
• Keep children away from snow drifts near the roadway.

10:45 a.m. | Olathe Public Schools have canceled all practices, rehearsals and events for Tuesday.

10:10 a.m. | Due to the inclement weather, the Royals Hall of Fame event at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum will now be held in two weeks on Tuesday, March 4.

10:05 a.m. | Southwest Power Pool has issued a conservative operations advisory for Thursday from midnight until 1 p.m.

SPP previously declared a resource advisory for midnight Wednesday until 11 p.m. Thursday. Additionally, SPP's weather advisory went into effect at midnight Tuesday and will last through noon Friday.

9:45 a.m. | Meteorologist Wes Peery reports the coldest wind chill in KC Tuesday morning was -22.

9:25 a.m. | KSHB's Claire Bradshaw reports the backup from the semi crash on I-70 continues.

9:15 a.m. | For anyone venturing onto the roads, the Missouri State Highway Patrol warns it is essential to clear vehicles of snow. Additionally, MSHP shared helpful items that should be included in winter safety kits.

9:10 a.m. | Area snow crews are providing updates on the status of roads. Drivers are asked to continue to exercise caution as cold temperatures reduce the effectiveness of salt and roads are snow-packed.

9:05 a.m. | Kansas City, Missouri, city offices are closed.

8:50 a.m. | Here's the latest on the Amazon trailer that's been blocking eastbound Interstate 70 in Grain Valley this morning:

8:45 a.m. | There’s a handful of crashes across the area this morning, but most motorists seem to be getting along, just a little bit slower than normal.

Here's a look at road conditions along Interstate 635 near Kansas Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, and Interstate 70 just east of downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

8:30 a.m. | Claire with the latest on the I-70 Grain Valley semi crash.

8 a.m. | Several services in Johnson County, Kansas, are canceled or limited Tuesday:

• Johnson County Micro Transit will be closed Feb. 18
• Ride KC Freedom paratransit service will begin essential trips at 9 a.m.
• Johnson County fixed-route bus service will begin at 9 a.m. on routes 401, 403, 404, 475 and 487. All other routes are canceled on Tuesday.
• All Johnson County library locations will be closed Feb. 18.
• Overland Park has implemented its walk-in accident protocol.

7:45 a.m. | Olivia checks outs roadways in KCK, has an update on Warming Centers in JoCo.

7 a.m. | Grant checks out the light, fluffy snow on the side of the road.

6:30 a.m. | Olivia checking out neighborhood roadways.

6:15 a.m. | Here's a look at that semi off the road on I-70 at Grain Valley.

5:30 a.m. | Lindsey shared her latest forecast.

5:25 a.m. | I-70 eastbound east of Grain Valley is closed.

Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers said there is a tractor-trailer that went down the embankment near I-70 and Exit 24. No injuries were reported, but the eastbound lanes are closed.

5:03 a.m. | Flights in and out of KCI are on time so far despite the snow.

Click here to see flight arrivals and departures.

4:50 a.m. | Daniela Leon is keeping an eye on the roads as snow falls in the southern part of the city.

3:30 a.m. | Lindsey Anderson says 1-2 inches has fallen across the city.

Monday, Feb. 17

8:35 p.m. | FROM THE CITY OF OVERLAND PARK: City snow crews will begin treating streets tonight.
As accumulations begin early Tuesday morning, crews will transition to plowing, focusing first on thoroughfares and collector streets. Crews will begin plowing neighborhood streets after the snow stops falling.
We ask that residents wait for crews to complete all routes before filing requests for snow removal through OPCares.

8:20 p.m. | FROM THE CITY OF KANSAS CITY MISSOURI: For the third year in a row, Kansas City is funding a network of low-barrier emergency shelters for the unhoused community that will be operational during the entirety of this event. There are nine locations across the metro, with a total of 400 city funded beds. Anyone who wants to access services should begin at the Navigation Center, which is located at Hope Faith Homelessness Assistance Campus (705 Virginia Ave.). The Navigation Center determines and triages individuals to specific locations for services that will help achieve housing goals. These services can include inpatient treatment, vital document assistance, low-income housing, transitional living, and other services.
Individuals who would like to help the unhoused directly can use one of these options which will be distributed through Hope Faith:
Financial donations can be offered here.

• Purchase items on Hope Faith's Cold Weather Amazon Wishlist
• Dropping off donations at Hope Faith, 705 Virginia Avenue, Kansas City, MO. 64106 on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.. 
  
  • Pull into Hope Faith Campus parking lot and ring the doorbell at the front door. 
  • Visit this list of needed winter items.

6:20 p.m. | Johnson County buildings and offices will be open on Tuesday, Feb. 18, but there will be impacts to programs and services.

More information can be found here.

5:10 p.m. | Nearly all area school districts have announced no school or virtual learning for Tuesday.

4:48 p.m. | Johnson County Micro Transit will not run Tuesday.

"Other service decisions will be made early in the morning," JoCo Transit shared in a social media post.

4:40 p.m. | A slew of school districts have decided to close or go virtual Tuesday. For example, Easton, Basehor-Linwood and Paola will close while learning will continue online for Leeton R-10.

Updates can be found here.

3:20 p.m. | The city of Kansas City, Missouri, has canceled trash pickup on Tuesday and Wednesday. Monday's pickup was already delayed due to Presidents Day.

Wednesday's collection has been moved to Thursday, Thursday has been moved to Friday, and Friday has been moved to Saturday. Residents who have trash collected on Mondays and Tuesdays will be allowed two extra bags.

City of Kansas City, Missouri

The city has also decided to close its facilities on Tuesday due to the inclement weather. Municipal Court hearings will be held virtually Tuesday.

2:15 p.m. | The National Weather Service said 0.9" of snow had fallen as of noon at the Kansas City International Airport.

1:53 p.m. | KSHB 41 has compiled a list of cold-weather resources. Those can be viewed here.

1 p.m. | The threat of cold temps and accumulating snow has forced soccer officials to delay Tuesday's match between Sporting KC and Inter Miami FC at Children's Mercy Park. So far, officials have delayed the game until 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Here's what we know.

12:45 p.m. | Leavenworth USD 453 has called off school for Tuesday based on "predictions of overnight winter weather impacting local road conditions."

Tonganoxie USD 464 is also opting for a snow day on Tuesday.