WICHITA — Snow has arrived in Wichita after a wave of freezing rain and ice pellets coated the metropolitan area.
U.S. 54 has been closed between Liberal and Pratt because blizzard conditions have dropped visibility to zero.
"We're pretty much shut down, east of Dodge and south of Dodge," said Jeff Johnson, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Dodge City.
Garden City had logged 8 inches of snow by noon, and Dodge City had recorded 7 inches, Johnson said.
State officials are urging residents to avoid traveling Friday and Saturday in areas affected by the storm -- which covers much of the state.
"Road conditions can deteriorate quickly, forcing closures and requiring travelers to find shelter," said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the adjutant general and director of the Kansas Department of Emergency Management. "If you must travel, a full tank of gas and an emergency kit with food, water, medicine and blankets is critical."
Read the full story at Kansas.com