The KOMU 8 First Alert Weather team is in Storm Mode 3 (on a scale of 0-5) until Tuesday morning (February 16).
This is to accumulate snow and dangerously low temperatures.
We are tracking two waves of snow on Monday, in addition to very low temperatures, and more potential midweek snow.
WAVE ONE: EARLY MONDAY MORNING (Storm mode 3)
This first wave of snow has ended with about 1-2 “in total accumulation since Sunday night. Snow deviations of 4-6” have also been measured and can also create an “indeterminable road surface”.
Wind chills from -20 to -30 and air temperatures below zero combine with snow to create dangerous conditions.
Vehicles cannot start in these conditions due to sub-zero temperatures.
The first wave.
WAVE TWO: MONDAY (Storm Mode 3)
Monday morning, after sunrise, there will be time for drought. DON’T LET YOU CHEAT. More snow is on the way. In fact, there is a good chance that there will be more buildup on Monday afternoon and evening than we will see in the early morning hours with the first wave.
The second wave of snow will arrive late Monday morning. The snow will continue during the afternoon and most of the night. This will be somewhat powdery snow and will easily blow in the north wind, which will be sustained for 10-15 mph and gusts up to 25 mph. More snow is expected because of this.
Visibility will also be reduced.
Accumulation will start again immediately and temperatures will be too low for road treatment, except for sweeping.
In total, from both snow waves, we expect that much of central Missouri will see 2-5 “of accumulation, with more to the southeastern part of the KOMU 8 viewing area and less to the north. St. Louis will still see more due to more moisture availability and more support in the atmosphere.
Chills will remain between 10 and 20 degrees below zero throughout the day.
HEALTH SAFETY CHECK
Hypothermia sets in when the body temperature is below 95ºF. If you have been exposed to cold air for a period of time and have had these symptoms, dial 911.
Freezing can occur within 30 minutes on exposed skin when chills reach -20º or less.
TUESDAY SUNSHINE
Yea! We are talking about the sun and a “warming” trend.
Morning temperatures will potentially be the coldest we’ve seen throughout this winter extravaganza, with lows between 5 and 10 degrees below zero and chills of 20 to 30 degrees below zero.
A mixture of sun and clouds throughout the day will help temperatures warm up to 10 degrees on Tuesday afternoon. Calming winds should also limit the thermal sensation factor during the day.
WEDNESDAY SNOW
Wednesday has a chance to accumulate snow while another system moves across the southern United States. We will have high pressure (stable atmosphere) in our northwest and this could contain most of the snow accumulation in southern Missouri. It is too early to know for sure. Right now, I expect at least a 2 “sweep in downtown Missouri on Wednesday. Stay tuned.
A HEATED TREND … KINDA
If you are ready for warmer weather, there is good news. We should be back above zero as of Saturday – which we haven’t felt since February 5. Seasonal temperatures may return as early as next week, with high temperatures reaching 40 degrees once again.
