It's time to put away the bikes and get out the snowshoes.
Winter is coming to Mid-Missouri tonight and, in anticipation, a winter storm warning has been issued by the National Weather Service.
The warning was issued for Callaway, Boone, Cole, Moniteau, Montgomery and Audrain counties (plus a few more) beginning at noon today, with more snow expected in Mid-Missouri than to the west, from whence the storm comes. In the path are Denver, Kansas City, St. Louis and Indianapolis. Some areas could get up to 8 inches of snow.
Meteorologists said this is expected to be the first true winter storm of the season.
"We're looking at probably 4-6 inches of snow Friday afternoon," said Patrick Walsh, a NWS meteorologist in the St. Louis office. "It will start Friday afternoon and go into late Saturday night and early Sunday morning."
Expect to see a few rain showers starting about 11 a.m., then snow about 1 p.m. in Fulton. There could be some sleet and icing before the big storm arrives, but Walsh said not to expect much of that. There will be just enough early precipitation to announce the big show.
"Temps ahead of the storm will be in the mid 30s, and it will cool as the snow comes in," Walsh added. "It should be in the low 30s Friday and Saturday, but not windy.
He said the wind should hover at less than 10 mph, so there won't be the heavy drifting one sees in blizzards.
With no sun in the works for Sunday, don't expect much melting to occur, but some afternoon snow showers could.
"It's the weekend, so if you can stay home, stay home," Walsh warned.
SEE ALSO:
Weather related delays, cancellations, announcements for Jan. 11-12, 2019
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