Closures, cancellations and delays
None
Snow and ice operations
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 | 2 p.m.
Snowplow crews are starting to move into residential areas. Please be patient as they work their way through these streets. Dropping temperatures this afternoon and overnight will prevent road treatment from working to its fullest potential.
We strive to have all roads treated and plowed 48 hours after the snow has ended.
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 | 7:50 a.m.
Crews continue to work on the arterial and major collector roads as of this morning. The heaviest of the snow is expected to move out of the area in the next couple of hours. All roads have been treated. Once snowplows are able to make passes on all roads, conditions will improve.
Crews will continue to complete the arterials and move into residential areas this morning/early afternoon.
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025 | 1:40 p.m.
Forecast remains on track for 3–6 inches of snow to begin early Wednesday morning. We will begin with our 12-hour shifts at midnight tonight. There is a small chance of some flurries before midnight. If this occurs, we will have crews in earlier. Crews will initially treat all roads and then transition into plowing. The heaviest of the snow and the majority of the accumulation is expected between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. We will work 12-hour shifts until all roads are cleared.
Take note:
- Arterials and major collector streets are the priority in all winter storms. Residential streets will be plowed after those streets are cleared.
- This is not forecast to be a major storm. It will be more of a typical winter snow we have experienced in the past. Snow will fall all morning and dissipate in the afternoon. This will allow crews to effectively remove snow from the roadways.
- Single-digit temperatures are forecast for Thursday morning. This will limit some effectiveness of the road treatment.
Monday, Feb. 10, 2025 | 4:30 p.m.
Our crews will begin monitoring roads at 4 a.m. Tuesday to determine the optimal time to start treatment for maximum effectiveness, likely as snow begins to accumulate. If slick spots develop tomorrow, we will treat them as needed.
Our goal is to have all streets treated and/or plowed within 48 hours of completion of a winter storm, but many factors (including timing, severity and type of storm) can affect our snow response. We appreciate your patience while we complete the plowing process. If after that time you feel your street has been missed, please let us know.
Report a missed street
Our highest priority is ensuring residents and motorists traveling through Lenexa are safe. But, we understand you also need to travel the roads in a timely manner. To ensure the most number of people are able to utilize the roads, we plow them in priority order.
- Arterial and collector roads: First, we treat and plow major streets with high traffic volumes, such as 87th Street Parkway, Pflumm Road, Prairie Star Parkway and Renner Boulevard. This helps enable safe access for emergency services and benefits the largest number of drivers possible.
- Residential streets: Neighborhood streets are given second priority in plowing due to the smaller number of vehicles traveling on them. Lenexa crews focus on residential streets after the main roadways are clear.
Snow zones
Map of designated arterial and collector streets(PDF, 1MB)
Please note, the numbering on the map does not correlate with the priority of plowing or salting. The snow zones are numbered to designate plowing and salting routes that are assigned to trucks. All routes have trucks in them.
Snow removal on trails will begin after the snow event has ended and all streets and public buildings are cleared. During snow events, all Parks & Recreation maintenance staff are assigned to a street or public facility snow removal route. These duties will continue to take priority over trail snow removal.
Trail snow removal will take place during normal working hours on weekdays.
Staff will make a judgment call on whether or not to remove snow from trails with each winter weather event. If forecast weather conditions indicate the snow will melt on its own with 48 hours of a snow event, we will likely not remove the snow.
Trails will not be treated with ice melt, so pedestrians should keep an eye out for areas of ice and refreezing in shady locations or areas with poor drainage.
Staff will also clear school crossings to make walking to school safer for students. Snow removal will take place at crossings close to schools where a crossing guard would typically be posted.
When does the City start plowing after a storm begins?
Our winter storm operations begin long before the snow and ice actually falls. Our crews are constantly monitoring the weather when a winter storm is predicted.
Plowing on major streets begins after approximately 2 inches of precipitation have accumulated. However, based on the type and severity of the storm, we may start on the major arterial and collector streets before that time. We will begin plowing residential areas once the major streets have been addressed, and if conditions worsen, we may temporarily stop residential plowing and salting to return to the major streets.
Because safety is our top priority, we will also temporarily stop plowing operations to assist emergency vehicles in reaching their destination during a winter storm.
How long does it take to clear all the streets and when will my street be cleared?
We aim to have snow and ice removed from all city streets within 48 hours after a winter storm has ended.
In order to provide the most effective and efficient snow and ice control routes, we prioritize our streets to enable emergency service providers such as fire, ambulance and police safe access to protect the public.
We place the highest priority on major streets such as arterials (87th Street Parkway or 95th Street, for example) and collectors (main roads that lead to arterials and have many side streets – 83rd Street or Loiret Boulevard, for example).
After those roads are cleared, crews will then start clearing residential streets. The severity of the storm will dictate when crews begin clearing residential streets. Each winter storm is unique and various levels of activities may be required based on storm severity, temperatures prior to storm event, predicted temperatures and winds during and after the event, and equipment availability.
Does the City only plow streets or does it salt them, too?
Our approach to plowing and salting streets is largely based on the severity of the storm and the predicted storm totals. All winter storm events will begin with treating streets with salt.
Crews will begin plowing when streets when 2 inches of precipitation have accumulated.
Who is responsible for snow removal on private streets, parking lots and highways?
The City of Lenexa only plows public streets and public parking lots.
In neighborhoods that maintain their own private streets, we are not responsible for clearing snow and ice.
In business and apartment complex parking lots, private contractors take care of snow removal services.
Highways are maintained by the Kansas Department of Transportation.
Who is responsible for snow removal on sidewalks?
The City of Lenexa clears snow from sidewalks adjacent to City facilities and from crossings close to schools where a crossing guard would typically be posted.
We encourage property owners to keep all other sidewalks, walkways and driveways clear of snow. While Lenexa does not have an ordinance requiring residents to remove snow from their property, it's the neighborly thing to do. Many people — including schoolchildren — rely on the city's network of sidewalks to get around. Snow-covered sidewalks can force people to walk in the street, which can be particularly dangerous in winter.
How many snow removal vehicles does the City have on the streets during a storm?
We have eight tandem-axle trucks and 17 single-axle trucks equipped with spreaders and front and wing plows. There are an additional 10 one-ton trucks equipped with spreaders and front plows that can be deployed to City-owned parking lots and residential areas as needed.
Do City snow removal work around the clock?
Yes, snow removal crews work 24 hours a day in 12-hour shifts.
Why do the plows push a pile of snow onto my driveway?
When snowplows pass by your home, a windrow of snow can be pushed up against the curb and in front of your driveway. This is unavoidable and is due to the plow removing snow from the center of the road. You should clear the windrows from your driveway before the snow refreezes and becomes more difficult to remove.
To help reduce the appearance of windrows, pile snow on the left side of your driveway (as you face your home), and shovel an inlet on the right side. This allows a large portion of the windrow to be pushed into the inlet, reducing the amount of snow pushed on your driveway.
If a snowplow blocked your driveway in a way that makes it impassable, please email snowman@lenexa.com.
Why are there large piles of snow in my cul-de-sac?
Because several homes and driveways are concentrated in one area in cul-de-sacs, there is little curb space available where our crews can push the snow.
General
Extreme cold safety
- Bring pets inside. If they can't come inside, make sure they have enough shelter to keep warm and access to unfrozen water.
- Make an emergency kit that includes first-aid supplies, phone numbers, records, flashlights, batteries, water and nonperishable food.
- Stock up on groceries, water and necessary medications.
- Inform friends/family of any travel plans. Take extra clothing and blankets.
- Fill your car with gas ahead of time, and keep the gas tank above half full.
- Drive slow and leave extra room between vehicles. Allow extra time for arrival.
- Do not leave cars unattended while running.
- Check on elderly relatives, friends and neighbors.
Generator safety
Generators are often used during an extended outage situation. If not used correctly, generators can create a shock hazard, fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep these safety tips in mind:
- Never connect generators to your home’s electrical panel or plug directly into a wall outlet.
- Generators should connect to essential appliances such as freezers and refrigerators.
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions for operation.
- Don’t overload your generator.
- If you connect a generator to house wiring, have a certified electrician install a power transfer switch.
- Never use a portable generator indoors. This includes partially enclosed areas such as a garage.
- Place the generator away from windows or doors that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
Please help our plow drivers clear the roads as safely as possible by following these tips:
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Stay back at least 30 feet from the rear of a plow truck so the driver can see you. Do not assume that the driver can see you. If you can’t see the driver in his mirrors, he can’t see you.
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Avoid passing or driving alongside these trucks. Plow trucks are capable of removing multiple lanes of snow while simultaneously spreading salt or sand on the roadways. Please allow enough room for the trucks to operate in a safe manner.
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Park your vehicles in the driveway clear of the roadway and curb. Vehicles parked in the roadway or extending out of driveways and over curbs add to the obstacles snowplow drivers already encounter, which hinders their performance and ability to clear snow and ice in a timely manner.
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Teach children to stay behind the sidewalks when they see a truck coming. The heavy, wet snow coming off the plow is capable of being thrown several feet, and it can potentially injure you if you are too close.
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Build snow forts, igloos and snowmen far away from the street and avoid using the snow banks on the edge of the road. Our trucks will often return to bump the snow back to the curb, and this can tear open or collapse their creations.
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Place a marker, such as a survey flag, behind the back of your curb to help our drivers to identify the curb location and prevent lawn damage.
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Remove portable basketball goals, hockey goals, skate board ramps and other structures from the street to avoid damage to these items and to allow plow trucks to reach the curb.
School closings
Kansas Department of Transportation resources