A winter storm may sweep through almost all of Kansas next week. Here's what to expect in Topeka.
After seeing below-average snowfall so far this cold-weather season, Topeka is looking at the potential for wintry precipitation in coming days.
Forecasters are seeing a growing potential for such a storm to sweep through Kansas by the middle of next week, according to a graphic posted early Friday morning on the website of the Topeka office of the National Weather Service.
The graphic provided an update to information the weather service put on that site Thursday. A mix of wintry precipitation types are possible, with snow being most likely, it said.
How much snow will Topeka, Kansas get?
All of the state but its northwest corner is anticipated to be in the storm's path, the graphic said.
"Consider alternative plans for any planned activities" on Tuesday and Wednesday, it added.
Forecasters remain uncertain about specifically what track the storm will follow, when it will come through and how much snow might fall, the graphic said.
More: Some Kansas snow totals were over 20 inches. Here's where the most snow fell
How is this year's snow compared to normal?
Topeka has seen 5.1 inches of measurable snowfall so far this cold-weather season, compared to an average of 9.3 inches by the end of January, according to the website of the weather service's Topeka office.
Topeka saw no measurable snowfall through the end of December but then recorded 5.1 inches in January, including 1.3 inches on Jan. 1, 0.4 inches on Jan. 6, 0.5 inches on Jan. 14 and 2.9 inches on Jan. 15, that site said.
It indicated that on average, Topeka by the end of January has recorded 9.3 inches of snow, including 3.8 inches in January, 4.1 inches in December, 1 inch in November and 0.4 inch in October.
Previously: End of year to bring dangerously low wind chills across much of Kansas; light snow possible
Might snow fall here on Groundhog's Day?
Forecasters acknowledge snow might fall on Wednesday, Feb. 2, which is Groundhog's Day, indicating cloudy conditions would likely be present that day.
That would suggest spring here will arrive early, according to a superstition that says spring will come early if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on Feb. 2 and does not see its shadow because of cloudy skies.
That superstition says that if the groundhog sees its shadow that day due to sunny skies, it will return to its den and winter will continue for six more weeks.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas may get snow next week with possible winter storm, NWS says
