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3.23 Winter Storm
Calculated Priority Risk Index
3.30 High
Planning Significance
Description
Winter storms in Kansas usually come in
the form of heavy snow or freezing rain (ice
storms). Regardless of the form they take,
they can have significant impacts to the
planning area and its residents for days,
weeks, or even months. They can
immobilize a region, blocking roads and
railways and closing airports, which can
disrupt emergency and medical services,
hamper the flow of supplies, and isolate
homes and farms, possibly for days. Heavy
snow can collapse roofs and knock down
trees and power lines. Unprotected
livestock may be lost. Economic impacts include cost of snow removal, damage repair, business
and crop losses, and power failures. It is these impacts that Kansas is most concerned about.
A major winter storm can last for several days and be accompanied by high winds, freezing rain
or sleet, heavy snowfall, and cold temperatures (see Section 3.3.7, Extreme Temperatures).
The National Weather Service describes different types of winter storm events as follows:
• Blizzard—Winds of 35 mph or more with snow and blowing snow reducing visibility to less
than 1/4 mile for at least three hours.
• Blowing Snow—Wind-driven snow that reduces visibility. Blowing snow may be falling
snow and/or snow on the ground picked up by the wind.
• Snow Squalls—Brief, intense snow showers accompanied by strong, gusty winds.
Accumulation may be significant.
• Snow Showers—Snow falling at varying intensities for brief periods of time. Some
accumulation is possible.
• Freezing Rain—Measurable rain that falls onto a surface with a temperature below freezing.
This causes it to freeze to surfaces, such as trees, cars, and roads, forming a coating or
glaze of ice. Most freezing-rain events are short lived and occur near sunrise between the
months of December and March.
• Sleet—Rain drops that freeze into ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet usually
bounces when hitting a surface and does not stick to objects.
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