The first significant snow of the year fell across central and eastern Missouri today, accompanied by colder temperatures with strong and gusty winds.
Snow and blowing snow created slick roadways and reduced visibility early today at about the time area school officials were assessing what to do. As a result of hazardous driving conditions, many called off Thursday's classes.
A chance of scattered snow showers remains in the forecast through this afternoon. West winds will be between 18 and 20 mph, with gusts over 30 mph. Total accumulation is forecast to range from one to three inches by this evening.
Winds will continue to be strong through the night, with a low of around 10 degrees.
The NWS offers the following advisory:
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THURSDAY...
- TIMING...SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE TODAY.
- ACCUMULATIONS...TOTAL ACCUMULATION OF 1 TO 3 INCHES IS EXPECTED.
- WINDS...STRONG AND GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS WILL GUST FROM 30 TO 35 MPH.
- IMPACTS...HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED DUE TO THE COMBINATION OF THE SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW. ROADWAYS WILL BECOME SNOW COVERED AND SLICK AND THE VISIBILITY WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. WIND CHILL VALUES WILL BE IN THE SINGLE DIGITS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS ISSUED FOR A VARIETY OF WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS...SUCH AS SNOW...BLOWING SNOW...SLEET...OR FREEZING DRIZZLE AND RAIN. IT ONLY TAKES A SMALL AMOUNT OF WINTRY PRECIPITATION TO MAKE ROADS...BRIDGES...SIDEWALKS...AND PARKING LOTS ICY AND DANGEROUS. IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO TELL WHEN ICE BEGINS TO FORM...SO DO NOT BE CAUGHT OFF GUARD.
Additional Resources:
School closings, weather-related announcements for Jan. 12, 2012
Missouri highway conditions map or call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (888-275-6636)