The weather service defines a blizzard as a severe snowstorm in which winds must be sustained or frequently gusting at least 35 mph, falling or blowing snow must reduce visibility to 1/4 mile or less, and these conditions must persist for at least three hours. Blizzard warnings are rare in Kansas City, according to data examined by The Star.

A powerful late winter/early spring storm will surge through the Kansas City area this week, threatening to bring heavy rains, howling winds, severe thunderstorms and snow, according to the National Weather Service.

Goodland, Kansas, is experiencing ongoing snowfall Tuesday morning. A Blizzard Warning is in effect until midnight for parts of Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska, with potential for whiteout conditions, up to 1 inch of snow and 70 mph wind gusts.

On Tuesday at 9:10 p.m. an updated blizzard warning was issued by the National Weather Service in effect until Wednesday at 6 a.m. The warning is for Leavenworth, Wyandotte, Johnson, Platte, Clay, Jackson,