The winter storm warning is in effect from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 28, according to the National Weather Service.

“Be prepared for indoor camping,” said Cheryl Barnes, communications director for Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative.

Forecast models are projecting heavy snow on Saturday, according to a weather statement on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Web site, www.noaa.gov.

On Friday afternoon, March 27, the National Weather Service upped the chance of overnight precipitation to 100 percent. Rain, possibly mixed with freezing rain and sleet, is expected overnight with a low temperature of 29 degrees. Little to no snow and ice accumulation overnight is expected, but some parts of the Northland could see up to 9 inches of snow by the end of the day Saturday.

Some thunder is also possible with the snowstorms, the Web site states.

“There’s just no way of knowing what’s going to happen with this storm,” Barnes said.

Barnes said with the thunderstorm-like activity along with the snow, there are multiple ways customers could lose power, such as from lightning strikes.

“The snow is expected to be heavy and wet in nature,” the warning on noaa.gov states. “Due to the recent emerged foliage along and south of the Missouri River, trees will be especially susceptible to heavy snow, which may lead to power outages.”

The high for Saturday is expected to be 34 degrees in breezy conditions with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Barnes said there are several things residents can do to prepare for the cold weather blast just a week after the first day of spring.

For those with medical issues, it’s even more important to prepare for an extensive outage, Barnes said. A 30-minute supply of oxygen would not be enough. Often times it takes at least 30 minutes for crews to drive to the site where power is out.

How to report an outage

- Use the automated reporting system when possible. It will free the dispatchers to send crews out more quickly. 

- Put this information near the phone:  Platte-Clay Electric customers should call 816-628-3121 to report an outage. Kansas City Power & Light customers should call 888-544-4852.

Things to consider

- Keep fresh batteries. Spares are a good idea, too.

- The federal government says to keep at least three days of supplies in an emergency supply kit. While a family’s needs may vary, the basic kit will contain water, food, battery-powered radio, flashlight with extra batteries, first aid supplies, changes of clothing, blankets or sleeping bags, wrench or pliers, whistle, dust mask, plastic sheeting, tarps, duct tape, trash bags, map and manual can opener, plus specialty items for babies, the elderly, those on prescription drugs or those with disabilities.

- Keep an extra insurance card or copies of the card, front and back, with the emergency kit and in each family member’s storm backpack or suitcase in the event the family is separated.

- Cash. If the power is out, cash may be the only way to buy gasoline, food or other items.

Roads

The Missouri Department of Transportation in the Kansas City area has put 490 crewmembers on alert for snow removal, according to a press release. About 185 trucks are prepped and ready to hit the roads when the snow begins.

Crews will concentrate on snow removal efforts for all of the district’s eight counties as the snow begins. The trucks will continue to plow snow from the roads until the snow stops and the roadways have been cleared.

Motorists can go online to visit MoDOT’s winter weather center at www.modot.mo.gov/kansascity. The site gives motorists safe driving tips, plowing priorities and up-to-date road conditions on MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map.

Future forecast

On Sunday, March 29, skies will be sunny, but it will still be cold with a high temperature of 37 degrees. By Monday, March 30, the snow will begin to melt away with sunny skies and a high of 51, according to the National Weather Service.