MoDOT cautions against travel on I-70 and north
UPDATE 3:45 p.m.: The runways at Columbia Regional Airport have been reopened for commercial and other traffic.
The airport posted the update Friday afternoon on its Facebook page. However, American Airlines has suspended its operations at the airport until noon Saturday. United has not told officials it is suspending flights, the airport said.
UPDATE 3:20 p.m.: The Missouri Department of Transportation says drivers should be careful on slick roads, particularly north of Interstate 70.
The agency's online traveler information map showed a dramatic differentiation in road conditions, primarily along I-70. I-70 and roads to the north were partially covered or covered in ice thanks to colder temperatures.
Some state roads south of I-70 also were also labeled as having some sort of ice coverage, including Highway 63 and Highway 54.
UPDATE 12:20 p.m.: The City of Columbia says it is postponing curbside trash and recycling pickup until Saturday.
UPDATE: 11:40 a.m.: The Missouri Department of Transportation said road conditions are worsening, contributing to slide-offs.
The agency's traveler information map showed many state highways in the area becoming covered with ice, including Highway 63 and stretches of Interstate 70.
Freezing rain continued to fall just before noon across Mid-Missouri. A dry period is possible during the middle of the day but freezing rain overall should last into the evening.
A forecast update is available on the ABC 17 Stormtrack team's Weather Alert Day blog.
UPDATE 10:40 a.m.: American Airlines said it was suspending operations at the Columbia Regional Airport at noon because of the icy weather. United had not yet made a decision.
Jefferson City Public Works operations director Britt Smith said roads are mostly clear but slick spots are still possible.
Crews are staying "cautiously optimistic" about what's the come, he said. Full crews started their day at 4:30 a.m. and will be out all day, staying through the evening commute. Backup crews are on standby, he said.
American Airlines said it was suspending operations at the Columbia Regional Airport at noon because of the icy weather. United had not yet made a decision.
The MoDOT traveler information map showed more state highways around Mid-Missouri were starting to become ice covered.
The Boone County Fire Protection District cautioned drivers that roads had become slick with ice, causing firefighters to respond to several crashes across the county.
UPDATE 9:35 a.m.: Freezing rain and sleet briefly slowed in Columbia on Friday morning but more precipitation is expected, officials say.
The Missouri Department of Transportation's Central District tweeted at 9:30 a.m. that more precipitation including freezing rain was on the way.
The MoDOT traveler map showed state highways in Mid-Missouri were mostly clear at about 9:30 a.m. Some, including Interstate 70 west of Columbia and Highway 54 in Callaway County, were starting to become covered with ice, according to the map.
Several schools have called off classes and community organizations have canceled meetings and closed their facilities. The ABC 17 News Stormtrack Weather team has declared a Weather Alert Day for Friday.
View live Stormtrack Doppler radar images by clicking here.
Update 7:45 a.m.:
The Columbia Public Works Department posted on Twitter that a 27-person plow crew reported to work at 5 a.m.
Conditions exist for the possibility of widespread slickness today. A 27-person plow crew reported at 5am, Jan. 17, to continue pretreating bridges, hills, intersections and curves throughout the community.https://t.co/5oYbOwvAkI pic.twitter.com/LQHHcdrMPC
— Columbia Public Works (@pub_works) January 17, 2020
Update 7:20 a.m.:
MoDOT said around 7 a.m. that road conditions across mid-Missouri continue to deteriorate.
Watch a live stream of travel conditions on Highway 63 between Columbia and Jefferson City below:
Update 6:55 a.m.:
Highway 63 is now showing partly covered conditions south of Columbia and north of Jefferson City.
Drivers are asked to take their time if their morning commute takes them along this route.
⚠️ Traffic Alert for Callaway/Boone County: Route 63 north Jefferson City and Elkhurst (South of Columbia) is now partly covered. Please use caution as precipitation continues to fall and slick spots develop! #midmowx ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/1D9xUovq62
— MoDOT Central District (@MoDOT_Central) January 17, 2020
UPDATE 6:20 a.m.:
MoDOT reports snow is starting to cover roads in the Jefferson City area.
❄️🚙 Friday 6:20 am Road Condition Update 🚙❄️
— MoDOT Central District (@MoDOT_Central) January 17, 2020
More covered/partly covered roads across the district as precipitation picks up. Even if you can't see ice or snow, watch for slick spots. Conditions can deteriorate fast! Slow down, stay focused & know before you go. #midmowx pic.twitter.com/jo9bH6lTnb
ORIGINAL STORY: The Missouri Department of Transportation's Central District Office continues to monitor road conditions across mid-Missouri on Friday morning.
❄️🚗 Friday 5:00 a.m. Road Condition Update 🚗❄️
— MoDOT Central District (@MoDOT_Central) January 17, 2020
Roads across the district are clear for now. We are seeing some sleet to the south but no accumulation yet. More precipitation is likely so know before you go and check the traveler map at https://t.co/Cik04EfHUx! #midmowx pic.twitter.com/nlmnstlMy4
MoDOT posted on Twitter around 5 a.m. that roads in the Central District were clear.
The agency did report there was sleet in the southern part of the Central District.
You can find live updates over road conditions across Missouri by clicking here.
School districts and colleges across mid-Missouri have also canceled classes or closed campuses ahead of this winter storm.
Make sure you download the ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather App from the Apple or Google Play stores to get updates over the forecast for your area.
