Mid-Missouri roads mostly clear but some still slick
Columbia roads will likely be clear through Thursday morning but some mid-Missouri counties are likely to have a slippery commute.
Most of mid-Missouri is under an ice storm warning through noon Thursday. The warning goes into effect at midnight in Boone, Audrain and Moniteau counties but was in effect immediately for other parts of the area. About a quarter-inch of ice is possible, with winds gusting as high as 30 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
The ABC 17 Stormtrack weather team has declared a Weather Alert Day because of the potential of ice to affect roads Thursday morning.
ABC 17 Stormtrack meteorologists expect ice to primarily affect the northern and western parts of the region. Wednesday afternoon the Missouri Department of Transportation’s traveler information map showed state roads in mid-Missouri were either clear or mostly clear, but authorities warned that was likely to change.
It’s MO, so why not a little bit of everything? ❄️⛈
Areas of the state will see rain, freezing rain, snow, thunderstorms, high winds & flooding in the coming hours.
Adjust your travel accordingly! Check road conditions at https://t.co/fvVRsDlqzr or on the free mobile app. pic.twitter.com/CRndz9Cams
— MoDOT (@MoDOT) February 6, 2019
Due to ice storm warnings in 44 counties across SW to NE Missouri, the State Emergency Operations Center is operating at a Level 3: Partial Activation. Learn more about the 4 @MoSEMA_ activation levels at https://t.co/PtahMq2lKq & follow your local forecast to stay up to date. pic.twitter.com/YLmo6OGLOs
— Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (@MoSEMA_) February 6, 2019
Boonville High School teacher Missy Stock said Boonville’s residential streets were in bad shape at 11 a.m. She said due to the rain, the city could not place salt on the roads. Boonville was one of several local districts to cancel classes Wednesday or delay opening. Schools including Fayette and Blackwater had already called off Thursday classes by Wednesday afternoon. Several churches also canceled Wednesday evening services.
Temperatures in the Columbia area are expected to hover around or just above freezing, with warmer conditions further south.
