By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
After a bout of light freezing rain in the morning hours, portions of northwest Missouri could see periods of heavy, wet snow on Monday afternoon and evening.
Atchison County, KS, along with Buchanan, DeKalb, Daviess, Grundy and Livingston counties are under a Winter Weather Advisory until 6 a.m. Tuesday, while points to the north, including Savannah, Maryville, Rockport and Grant City, are in a Winter Storm Warning until 6 a.m. Tuesday.
National Weather Service meteorologist Spencer Mell, who works in the Pleasant Hill office, says the freezing rain should transition to all snow by early Monday afternoon with the St. Joseph area receiving 2-4 inches of snow and higher amounts to the north.
"The bulk of the heavy snow should be over by midnight," Mell said. "We will continue to see light snow through the overnight hours up until the morning rush Tuesday."
Mell says snow rates could be as heavy as 1-2 inches per hour, especially north of St. Joseph. Areas like Maryville and Falls City, NE could see 6-8" of snow, with up to a foot possible in the Lincoln and Omaha areas.
In addition, winds will pick up out of the northeast between 15-25 mph, which could further reduce visibility, especially in open areas.
"With that, the conditions will deteriorate fairly quickly," Mell said. "So, if anyone is traveling out there, use extreme caution because the conditions could deteriorate quickly."
Chris Redline, the Chief Engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation's Northwest Division, says crews will stay out until roads are safe and passable, but he urges caution especially Monday afternoon and evening.
"We're definitely prepared to go after it, but if you don't have to go out, please stay home," Redline urged. "If you're at work, try and get home early. Check our traveler information map. If you do come up on our trucks, give them plenty of room to work. And with this freezing rain, you need to be extra careful."