Much of the state will see winter precipitation begin early today and move through the state until tomorrow. The National Weather Service says that could mean up to six inches of snow for some areas.
NWS Springfield. (Click to enlarge.)
Meteorologist Scott Truett says as the front moves through this morning, it will bring rain to the southern portion of the state. That rain will turn to sleet and snow, cutting a wide swath through the southern half of Missouri.
Truett says the good news is that colder temperatures have come in earlier than first expected, meaning less of a chance for freezing rain and ice. The storm will turn completely to snow around midnight, and will continue through mid-day Friday.
Snow accumulation amounts could vary from half an inch to six inches or more, with the heaviest amounts expected south of St. Louis in the Farmington area. Kansas City and northern Missouri look to stay dry.
Forecasters say another storm system headed our way could dump more snow on Missouri Sunday. Single digit temperatures and below-zero windchills will persist through the weekend and well into next week.
Snow accumulations of an inch or greater should fall mainly along and south of a line from Mound City, Kansas, to Sedalia, and east to St. Louis.
NWS Kansas City / Pleasant Hill. (Click to enlarge.)
To check the forecast in your area, visit the National Weather Service in Springfield, National Weather Service in Kansas City (Pleasant Hill), or National Weather Service in St. Louis. For weather conditions in the far Southeast Missouri portion of Missouri, visit the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky.