A Winter Storm Warning is set to take effect Friday night for nearly all of Missouri. Missourians are being urged to avoid unnecessary travel this weekend as a significant winter storm bears down on nearly the entire state. Heavy snow, dangerous wind chills, and long-lasting travel impacts are expected from late Friday through Sunday.
Gov. Mike Kehoe has issued a State of Emergency ahead of the storm. He’s urging drivers to stay home if they can.
“When the weather event is in almost all 114 counties across the state, it’s challenging for our state and your communities to keep our roads clear. Please, if you can, stay off the road,” said Kehoe.
He said the extreme cold temperatures make it even more dangerous for stranded drivers.
Statewide impacts: snow south, bitter cold everywhere
Forecasters caution that wind chills and low temperatures could plunge to 10 to 20 below zero in some areas of Missouri, making even brief exposure dangerous.
“Snow is going to rapidly accumulate on all surfaces and make for some hazardous driving conditions,” said National Weather Service Meteorologist Alex Elmore in St. Louis.
He noted a likely first round of snow Saturday, a potential brief lull late Saturday evening, and a second round ramping up Sunday morning into the afternoon, spreading snow chances statewide.
Regional snapshot:
Kansas City & NW/Northern Missouri: Lower totals compared to the south (generally 2–8″), but still dangerous with sub-zero wind chills.
I-70 corridor & Mid-Missouri (Columbia/Jefferson City to St. Louis): 5-12” possible, difficult travel, prolonged impacts due to bitter cold.
Springfield/Joplin & Southern Missouri into the Ozarks: Highest likelihood of 8–12″+; roads may become impassable at times.
Southeast Missouri & the Bootheel (Cape Girardeau/Poplar Bluff/Sikeston): Heavy snow possible, with 8-12 inches of possible; periods of sleet could mix in, making surfaces slick and travel treacherous.
St. Louis region and southern Missouri: 7-13” of snow.
MoDOT says road crews are fully activated statewide, with about 3,000 workers operating in two shifts a day until conditions return near normal.
“As the precipitation starts to fall, our team is going to be fully deployed across the state,” said MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger. “With the amount of snow and the extremely cold temperatures—remember, most of our chemicals don’t work once we get down below 10 degrees—it’s going to take a while.”
Hassinger said crews will prioritize major routes first to keep essential corridors passable, then shift to secondary roads as conditions allow. Due to the forecast cold snap, plows will need extra room to operate.
Timing: what to expect and when
Friday night: Winter Storm Warnings go into effect for nearly all of Missouri. Temperatures fall; wind chills deteriorate.
Saturday: First round of snow spreads in, heaviest focus trending south of I‑70; roads snow over quickly in many spots.
Late Saturday evening: Possible brief lull in some areas.
Sunday morning–afternoon: Second round intensifies statewide; additional accumulation leads to extended travel impacts.
Early next week: Extreme cold lingers; road recovery may be slow into midweek. If you must travel, prepare your vehicle and your plan.
MoDOT asks of drivers:
Avoid travel if possible.
If you must drive, slow down, increase following distance, and give plows plenty of room.
Check conditions before you go using MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map, modot.org, and MoDOT’s social media channels.
If you plan to fly: Check airport flight schedules to see if your flight is on time, delayed, or canceled.
Hassinger cautioned that with the dangerously low temperatures, roads may not return to near-normal conditions until possibly the middle of next week.
Missouri State Highway Patrol: “No errand is worth risking your life”
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is ramping up trooper levels statewide based on the forecast.
“Our primary and main concern is travel and public safety,” said Cpt. Scott White. “We expect hazardous road conditions across much of the state, and that can quickly turn a minor issue into a life-threatening emergency.”
White said help can take longer to reach people during winter storms. He urged Missourians to stay home if possible.
“No appointment, no errand, and no activity is worth risking your life or the lives of others,” White said. “The safest decision for everybody right now is to prepare, and if you don’t need to be on the road, stay put until this event is over.”
The Patrol and MoDOT offer these essential tips for those who absolutely must be on the roads:
Before you go, check tires (tread and pressure) and fill your gas tank.
Charge your phone and pack a 12V charger.
Tell someone your route and ETA.
Winter car kit to have:
Blankets, hats/gloves, water, nonperishable snacks. Ice scraper/brush, small shovel, sand or kitty litter for traction. Jumper cables, flashlight, first-aid kit.
On the road:
Slow down; increase following distance.
Give plows and emergency vehicles extra room; never pass a plow on the right.
If stranded, stay with your vehicle; run heat 10 minutes each hour with a cracked window and clear tailpipe to avoid carbon monoxide.
Where to get updates
Road conditions: MoDOT Traveler Information Map and modot.org; follow MoDOT on social media.
Forecasts & warnings: National Weather Service offices serving Kansas City/Pleasant Hill, St. Louis, Springfield, and Paducah (for the Bootheel).
Safety & incidents: Missouri State Highway Patrol social channels and local media.
Copyright © 2026 · Missourinet