January 18-19, 2019 Snow and Cold

Overview

A strong cold front moved through the region bringing a quick round of snow. Behind the cold front, strong wind gusts of 40 to 55 mph occurred and, combined with the colder temperatures, produced sub-zero wind chill values for many locations. The combination of snow, wind, and a flash freeze led to some power outages and travel impacts.

Image courtesy WICHway

Snow/Ice
Photos & Video
Radar
Environment

Snow/Ice

Here is a look at how much snow fell across parts of central, south-central, and southeast Kansas January 18-19, 2019. Notice the swath of slightly higher amounts that fell along the Kansas Turnpike. An area of lift was focused there and was responsible for the higher amounts (you can check out the "Environment" section for a more detailed explanation of this).

Photos & Video

@NWSWichita blinding conditions 2 south of Sedgwick, Kansas. Have encountered 25 mph wind gust at times. #kswx pic.twitter.com/337qiFPjFv
— Hunter Arrington (@KansasStormSpot) January 19, 2019

My cousin, Julie, sent me this video from SE Sedgwick Co. Says visibility is poor & that roads are snow covered — more slushy than slick. Says speeds are down to 30 MPH. Please drive safely if being out and stay with @KSNStormTrack3 @KSNNews for updates. #Kswx @NWSWichita pic.twitter.com/33a7CRO779
— Lisa Teachman (@LisaTeachman) January 19, 2019

WB K-96 is down to one lane of tracks. Current speed: 25mph

Keeping a large following distance. #KWCH12 #kswx pic.twitter.com/PXsAOyNkm4
— Kristen Boxman (@KWCHKristen) January 19, 2019

Crews are working to restore power to the 4,800 customers off in Wichita and El Dorado. Due to strong winds, this is taking longer than usual. We estimate to have power back on to all by 4 pm. Check the outage map for updates at https://t.co/TtlCugsHX0 #kswx pic.twitter.com/NB1GyBK9BI
— Westar Energy (@WestarEnergy) January 19, 2019

Road are slick! Buckle-up, slowdown, give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination. #besafeoutthere pic.twitter.com/OV8VQAESdz
— Wichita Police (@WichitaPolice) January 19, 2019

8:24 am - Webcams around Wichita this morning are showing the impact the icy roads are having on travel. Be careful out there! #kswx pic.twitter.com/SSFGoXg4GC
— NWS Wichita (@NWSWichita) January 19, 2019

Radar

Below is a radar image of a band of heavier precipitation that developed across eastern Kansas during the evening of January 18th.

7:45 pm, January 18th Radar Image

Environment

An area of low pressure developed over the High Plains during the morning of January 18, then moved southeast across Oklahoma that evening. As the low passed south of Kansas, an area of low level frontogenesis (ie. an area of enhanced lift along a frontal zone/temperature gradient) developed across eastern Kansas. This combined with large-scale forcing for ascent, associated with a quick-moving upper level shortwave, producing an area of enhanced lift from south-central Kansas up through northeast Kansas. Within that zone, precipitation rates were higher than surrounding areas. This produced locally higher rainfall and snowfall amounts.


Figure 1: Low-level frontogenesis (note the area over eastern Kansas)	Figure 2: Radar imagery at 7:45 pm, January 18, 2019 showing a band of heavier precipitation associated with the area of enhanced lift seen in Figure 1

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