Weak storm system to bring wintry mix overnight — Tracking weekend storm
THIS AFTERNOON: A Winter Weather Advisory goes into effect this evening as the potential for freezing rain may cause impacts after 6 PM tonight until 9 AM Thursday. Macon, Randolph, Monroe, Chariton, Saline, and Audrain counties are under the Winter Weather Advisory. Drizzle is expected to move into the area after rush hour this evening. Temperatures will likely be steady above freezing until after 8pm this evening, and impacts will be focused north of I-70 into the overnight hours.
TONIGHT: Temperatures hover near freezing in Columbia as light rain increases through the night. As temperatures drop from the north freezing rain is possible north of HWY 50. A glaze of ice is possible out the door on Thursday, especially for our northern counties. Light winds out of the east won’t create for much of a wind chill into Thursday morning.
EXTENDED: Heading into Thursday morning, some roads could be slick for the commute due to the overnight freezing rain. Light snow mixing with rain is possible before precipitation tapers off by early afternoon and temperatures rise to the mid to upper 30s. The next storm system is developing for Friday night and Saturday, followed by arctic air. Precipitation will start off as early as 6 PM Friday evening as rain south of I-70 and rain/ snow north, transitioning to all snow from northwest ot southeast into Saturday morning. Areas farther south will have rain for much of the night Friday before it turns to snow. This will be determined by how far south the low pressure system tracks which is still a bit uncertain. Snowfall amounts at this time look higher north of I-70 and lower as you head south. There is the potential of a foot of snow in a narrow band north of I-70 which is something we’ll keep an eye on the next few days. As arctic air moves in Saturday, northerly winds will increase, sustained near 20 with gusts to 35-40 mph with blowing and drifting of snow possible. Temperatures will drop into the Saturday dropping to near zero Saturday night with wind chills as low as 15 below. High temperatures Sunday only reach 10-15 degrees with sunny skies and north winds at 6-10, producing wind chills of -10 to -15 Sunday. We’ll continue to watch the trends and will have updates in days to come. Make sure to stick with ABC 17 on-air and online for the newest information.
