Saturday and Sunday are the first weather alert days for a severe winter storm moving across our area that will cause problematic road conditions and heavy snow into the start of the week. Officials have warned that travel could be “impossible” on Sunday and the start of the working week. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning beginning at noon Saturday and continuing through 3 a.m. Monday. Saturday starts out cold and calm, so you still have time to head out to pick up groceries, cold weather supplies, or gas. The sooner you go, the better. Some reports of light snow have begun in the area. The snow turns to freezing rain and sleet by midday, and then the fun begins. This precipitation will form ice Saturday afternoon and evening before heavy snow begins Sunday morning. The amount of ice your neighborhood sees directly affects the amount of snow you get. Less ice means more snow. More ice cream? Less snow. Ice amounts are expected to be higher in the southern part of the viewing area, limiting the amount of snow in this area. In areas like Johnson County, Missouri, between a quarter and half an inch of ice could be seen. In the Kansas City metro, expect ice to range from a tenth to a quarter of an inch. Areas to the north like St. Joseph and Chillicothe will only see about a tenth of an inch of ice (still enough to cause problems), but will see heavier snowfall. The freezing rain and sleet will be patchy to start Saturday, but it will become heavy overnight. Snow will begin to fall overnight in the northern part of the viewing area. This snow will fill the Kansas City area Sunday morning and a blizzard is possible from midday Sunday until 7 p.m. How much snow will there be in your region? Areas to the north such as St. Joseph, Trenton and Chillicothe could see between 8 and 12 inches of snow. The Kansas City metropolitan area is expected to see between 7 and 10 inches of snow, with areas to the south and up to a foot east seeing smaller amounts. If the storm continues, areas like Lee’s Summit could see up to 8 inches of snow, 3 to 6 inches in Belton and up to 3 inches in Butler, Clinton and Warsaw. We want to emphasize that these amounts are still flexible depending on the amount of ice and the positioning of the storm. Significant impacts to travel are expected across the region, and the KMBC 9 newsroom has already received numerous closures. Stay with the First Alert Weather Team for updates as this winter storm sweeps through the region. Winter Storm Resources: Kansas City Winter Weather Guide: School Closings, Roads and Snow Clearance GuidelinesKansas City Weather Preparedness: Tips for Preparing for Winter StormsKansas City Weather: Warming is concentrated in the Kansas City metropolitan area

KANSAS CITY, Mo. –

Saturday and Sunday are the first weather alert days for a severe winter storm moving across our area that will cause problematic road conditions and heavy snow into the start of the week. Officials have warned that travel could be “impossible” on Sunday and the start of the working week.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning beginning at noon Saturday and lasting until 3 a.m. Monday.

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Saturday starts out cold and calm, so you still have time to head out to pick up groceries, cold weather supplies, or gas. The sooner you go, the better.

Some reports of light snow have begun in the area. The snow turns to freezing rain and sleet by midday, and then the fun begins. This precipitation will form ice Saturday afternoon and evening before heavy snow begins Sunday morning.

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The amount of ice your neighborhood sees directly affects the amount of snow you get. Less ice means more snow. More ice cream? Less snow.

Ice amounts are expected to be higher in the southern part of the viewing area, limiting the amount of snow in this area. In areas like Johnson County, Missouri, between a quarter and half an inch of ice could be seen. In the Kansas City metro, expect ice to range from a tenth to a quarter of an inch. Areas to the north like St. Joseph and Chillicothe will only see about a tenth of an inch of ice (still enough to cause problems), but will see heavier snowfall.

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The freezing rain and sleet will be patchy to start Saturday, but it will become heavy overnight. Snow will begin to fall in the northern part of the viewing area overnight. This snow will spread across the Kansas City metropolitan area Sunday morning and blizzard conditions are possible from midday Sunday until 7 p.m

How much snow will there be in your region? Areas to the north such as St. Joseph, Trenton and Chillicothe could see between 8 and 12 inches of snow.

The Kansas City metropolitan area is expected to receive between 7 and 10 inches of snow, with areas to the south and east receiving smaller amounts. If the storm continues, areas like Lee’s Summit could see up to 8 inches of snow, 3 to 6 inches in Belton and up to 3 inches in Butler, Clinton and Warsaw.

We want to emphasize that these amounts are still flexible and dependent on ice volume and storm positioning.

Significant impacts to travel are expected across the region, and the KMBC 9 newsroom has already received numerous closures.

Stay with the First Alert Weather Team for updates as this winter storm moves through the area.

Winter Storm Resources: