Windy and cold through the day, with a slight chance of snow by evening
FRIDAY: Clouds are slowly streaming into Mid-Missouri, as northwest flow aloft tracks our next system through the area. While it’s not terribly cold outside, highs in the lower 40s are still unseasonably cold for this time of the year. Thanks to windy conditions out of the north up to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40, we’ll see temperatures gradually fall through the day. With the northwesterly flow, the snow tracking in from the north will mix with some dry air. This will lead to lower snow totals in northern Mid-Missouri through the day. Thanks to a weaker system and a surface low tracking a bit farther south this evening, the overall snow trend has been declining, but the cold is here through the weekend.
TONIGHT: Snow is possible as we head into the evening, with the greatest chance along and south of Hwy 50. It’s highly possible that areas near I-70 remain snow free, outside of a few flurries. This drying trend has been evident the past 24 hours, so wouldn’t be surprised if many locations see little to no snow cover. Areas in extreme southern Mid-Missouri could see up to .5″ of snow depending on the track of the surface low. Overall, this system is not as impressive as originally expected, which will lead to lower snow totals and little impacts. As the system exits the area, skies will slowly begin to clear. Under clear skies with breezy northerly winds, temperatures will drop into the upper teens, close to 20 degrees. If overnight lows drop below 19 degrees the record low will break for Columbia, showing just how unusually cold it will be across mid-Missouri.
EXTENDED: Highs will be slow to rebound, as we only climb into the upper 30s to near 40 by Saturday afternoon under mostly sunny skies. Another chance of wintry mix moves in Sunday morning with snow changing to rain as temperatures stay chilly, only reaching the low 40s. There is a chance we could pick up a dusting of snow early Sunday before temperatures warm above freezing. The work week will start off cool and dry, only reaching the upper 40s but we’ll finally see a return of spring as we jump into the 60s next Wednesday through Friday. Stay tuned to ABC 17 for the latest forecast and updates.
