Mid-Missouri wary of winter weather in forecast

National Weather Service graphic
National Weather Service graphic

Can Punxsutawney Phil be trusted?

The famous Pennsylvania groundhog did not see his shadow Saturday, which, according to tradition, should mean an early spring.

After a warm weekend, the forecast for the next two weeks isn't so certain.

The National Weather Service in St. Louis is predicting two rounds of potential freezing rain north of Mid-Missouri this week, but local road crews are preparing in case the forecast changes.

Last Wednesday, 3 inches of snow surpassed an initial prediction of up to an inch of snow due to more moisture in the atmosphere than had been anticipated - and that led to a rough evening commute in the Jefferson City area.

"We're doing repairs to trucks in preparing for whatever comes," Cole County Public Works Director Larry Benz said. "These storms are hit-and-miss, and we have to be ready just in case."

The county Public Works department remains well stocked with treatment supplies to apply to roads, Benz said.

"This is standard business for us," he said. "Until we do get into spring, we're always going to be checking on the little things to try and get those done so we'll be ready to go out when needed. We just hope this round stays in the form of rain, like they predict, and the temperature hopefully doesn't drop to where it comes down frozen."

Temperatures in Jefferson City are expected to range from up to 50 degrees Wednesday to below 20 degrees by Thursday evening. Rain is likely throughout the week, with a chance of snow Thursday morning, the NWS forecasts.

"Of all the days this week, we're looking at Thursday possibly bringing some freezing precipitation that morning, but other than that, right now, we shouldn't have too many problems," Jefferson City Operations Director Britt Smith said. "These times can be the hardest to be prepared for because you let your guard down after a nice weekend like we just experienced."

The city had three trucks in the shop for minor repairs Monday, but they should be ready if needed this week, Smith said.

"These dropping temperatures remind you that we're still in February, so we'll be ready if we're needed," Smith said.

See also:

Mid-Missouri forecast, radar