Kansas City is preparing for its first big winter storm of the season. Meteorologists warn that the timing of the cold front could affect snowfall totals and ice accumulation.

Winter storm watches are already in effect for the metro’s extreme western counties on the Kansas side. The watches start around Jefferson County and stretch south to Anderson and Franklin Counties. The watches are for 12 p.m. Saturday until Sunday at 6 p.m.

The first winter weather event of the year is expected in central Kansas, with the National Weather Service already issuing watches for the weekend.

On Thursday at 2:09 p.m. a winter storm watch was issued by the National Weather Service valid from Saturday 6 p.m. until Monday 3 a.m. The watch is for Atchison, Miami, Linn, Doniphan, Leavenworth, Wyandotte,

The Kansas City area could be in for a tough wintry weekend, with freezing rain, snow and bitterly cold temperatures. But weather​ forecasters say there’s still lots of uncertainty about​ the exact timing.

AAA is giving tips to prepare for the cold weather as snow and ice are forecasted for the Sunflower State this weekend. AAA of Kansas shared that it’s anticipating an increase in roadside service calls while wintery conditions sweep through the state,

If past games are any indication, thousands of fans have made the journey on interstate highways heading south. WDAY chief meteorologist John Wheeler said a major ice and snow storm will pass west to east across Kansas and Missouri starting Saturday afternoon into Sunday afternoon and night.

KSN Chief Meteorologist Lisa Teachman says travel conditions will rapidly deteriorate from Saturday afternoon through Sunday