By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
A winter weather advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service with the Missouri Department of Transportation issuing a warning about travel conditions both on Sunday and Monday.
The National Weather Service forecast dangerously cold temperatures and wind chill peaking this weekend into early next week. Some snow accumulation is expected in the greater St. Joseph region.
Forecasters have placed a wind chill warning into effect until six o’clock Monday evening for a wide swath of northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri, including southeast Nebraska and southern Iowa. Wind chills in the area could dip as low as 30 below zero. Snow accumulations are expected between the one-to-three-inch range.
NWS cautions against outdoor activities during this period. If venturing outside, NWS recommends appropriate clothing, including a hat and gloves.
The area forecast for today is for a chance of snow, cloudy, and cold with a high near -1; wind chills will drop to -17 and -22 with winds out of the north at 10 to 14 miles per hour. Tonight, there remains a chance of snow early, then mostly cloudy with a low of -9 and wind chills of -21 to -26.
Monday, President’s Day, is expected to be worse with a high of around 2 with wind chills between -16 and -16 and a low in the evening of -15.
A slight warm up is expected to being Tuesday when the high is forecast to reach 10 above. The high Friday is expected to reach 30 with above freezing temperatures forecast for next weekend.
The Missouri Department of Transportation issued a statewide warning on Saturday, urging drivers to get to wherever they need to be and avoid traveling during the coming waves of snowfall Sunday and Monday. The warning is aimed especially at central and southern Missouri, which is expected to get the most snow. NWS forecast 2-6 inches of snow along and south of I-70, starting this morning. Some areas of the state are expected to see a lull in snow this afternoon with a second wave beginning this evening.
MoDOT says drivers who must travel in these conditions should plan ahead and allow extra time to take it slow, and remember to also:
- Buckle up.
- Stay alert—phones down.
- See and be seen—if your wipers are on, your headlights should be on.
- Give snowplows room to work. Don’t tailgate or try to pass.
MoDOT also advises to make sure you have a full tank of gas, extra blankets and gloves, and provisions like water and snacks in the event of an emergency. Keep your cellphone charged, but do not use it while driving. In the event of a crash, stay buckled inside your vehicle until help arrives.
Click here for the MoDOT Traveler Information Map.