Rain and thunderstorms tonight will meet with colder air coming into southern and eastern Missouri by tomorrow morning, and that is predicted to result in some significant snowfall.

This weather graphic shows the predicted snowfall totals for this weekend, but winter storm predictions can change significantly.  The Weather Service encourages Missourians to look for the latest information.

This weather graphic shows the predicted snowfall totals for this weekend, but winter storm predictions can change significantly. The Weather Service encourages Missourians to look for the latest information.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Mike Griffin says generally two- to four-inches of snow is expected from southwest Missouri, through southern Missouri and into the St. Louis region.

“There could be some pockets of isolated higher amounts. We’re still unsure exactly where those pockets could be,” said Griffin. “The general two to four looks very possible across southwest Missouri down the I-44 corridor. That’s just accumulation. Of course you add in some wind – we’ll see some gusty winds up to 20, 30 miles an hour – some of that could be blowing and drifting around tomorrow afternoon.”

Griffin says after so much unseasonably warm weather, the snow and bitter cold this weekend could catch some people off guard.

“Especially with temperatures in the 40s and 50s today we’re looking at a big cold snap coming for the weekend, and this will be the first snowfall event for the season for a lot of folks across southern Missouri, especially the Missouri Ozarks region,” said Griffin.

He said travel will be impacted, and then cold temperatures will settle in.

“We could see temperatures in the teens at night, maybe even single digits. Highs on Sunday will not get out of the 20s for most locations across southern Missouri and those wind chills will be bitterly cold – down to around zero possible – Sunday morning and again Monday morning,” said Griffin.

A winter weather advisory has been issued for much of southwest Missouri, warning residents to be prepared for snow-covered roads and limited visibility.

Find Missouri road conditions with the Transportation Department’s Traveler Information Map, which is also available as an app on Apple or Android.

For information for your area, tune in to your Missourinet affiliate station and visit these Weather Service office websites.

In southwest Missouri:  Springfield and on Twitter @NWSSpringfield

In southeast Missouri:  Paducah, KY and on Twitter @NWSPaducah

In northwest and western Missouri:  Kansas City (Pleasant Hill) and on Twitter @NWSKansasCity

In northeast and eastern Missouri:  St. Louis and on Twitter @NWSStLouis

Scotland and Clark counties:  Davenport, IA and on Twitter @NWSQuadCities