UPDATE: Winter Weather Advisory Issued for Pettis County This Weekend

Update: Sunday, Jan. 5 10:00 am

The National Weather Service and the Sedalia/Pettis County Emergency Management Agency is keeping up with the latest weather and the Winter Weather Advisory continues until noon today (Jan. 5), but they have also issued a Wind Chill Warning from 6 pm (Jan. 5) until Noon on Monday (Jan. 6).

“Temperatures will top out around 12 or so above zero and will start to fall tonight until hitting a low around 6 am Monday of about -10 below zero (that's actual) in the meantime winds will pick up late tonight to around 15 -18 MPH and gusts up to 25 MPH. This will drop our wind chill to a "life-threatening" -30 below zero,” said EMA Director David Clippert. “Frostbite can occur to exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. I would imagine that unless you are from the northern part of the US or Alaska, most of us have never seen wind chills like this.”

UPDATE:  The national weather service in Kansas City/Pleasant Hill has issued a winter weather advisory for snow, which is in effect from 3 p.m. this afternoon to 9 a.m. CST Sunday for portions of eastern Kansas and Western Missouri, including Pettis County.

Light snow will gradually develop behind a southeastward moving cold front this afternoon, and will increase in intensity as it spreads southeast this evening through early Sunday. The greatest snowfall accumulations are expected to occur between 6 p.m. this evening and 3 a.m. Sunday morning. Anticipated snow totals range from around 2 inches across the Kansas City metro area, to around 4 inches in Central Missouri. A few isolated locations in Central Missouri may receive up to 5 inches of total snow.

In addition, very cold temperatures will spread into the area on Sunday, allowing wind chills to drop into the -10 to -20 degree range by Sunday morning. Much colder wind chills in the -20 to -30 degree range are expected Sunday night through early Tuesday behind this system.

Light snow will develop by mid afternoon, and should begin to taper off by early to mid morning Sunday. The highest snowfall accumulations are expected between 6 pm this evening and 3 am Sunday morning.

Widespread 2 to 4 inches with isolated higher amounts possible in Central Missouri.

Snow will reduce visibilities and will cause roads and other exposed surfaces to become snow-packed. Breezy northerly winds will also result in minor blowing and drifting of snow.

Frigid temperatures will spread into the area late Saturday night into Sunday, and will combine with the northerly winds to create wind chills as low as -10 to -20 degrees by Sunday morning. Much colder wind chills in the -20 to -30 degree range are expected behind this system for Sunday night through early Tuesday.

A winter weather advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.

This press release provided by the Pettis County Sheriff's Office.

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The National Weather Service is calling for a major outbreak of cold air on Sunday (Jan. 5) and Monday (Jan. 6). The high temperatures on Sunday will be near 10 above zero with highs on Monday only reaching single digits. Parts of northern Missouri may remain below zero all day Monday. The wind chill values during Sunday and Monday could reach life-threatening levels as cold as 30 to 35 below zero.

"Dangerously cold air is heading south today. Ahead of this cold air, a large snowstorm is expected to impact the region, with the potential of 6-12" of snow in eastern Missouri by Sunday," said Sedalia and Pettis County Emergency Management Director David Clippert. " Locally, snow should begin by mid-afternoon Saturday and continue into the first half of Sunday with 1-4" of snow possible. Life-threatening cold temperatures will then move in for Sunday through Tuesday, with wind chill values by daybreak Monday some -25 and -35 below zero! This will likely be the coldest 2 day span since 1996."

The Missouri Department of Transportation will be out in force to plow and treat state roadways no matter when the snow hits.

The weekend forecast adds a level of difficulty for MoDOT's snowplow drivers, because the extreme cold and windy conditions may make it tougher to make progress and improve road conditions.

"At 30 degrees, one pound of salt will melt 46 pounds of ice, but that same pound of salt will melt less than four pounds of ice when it's zero degrees," said Beth Wright, MoDOT State Maintenance Engineer. "Add in the high winds that will blow snow back onto roadways, and we may face a truly challenging storm."

"If you have to travel during this storm, please be prepared and extra cautious," said Wright. "When temperatures dip this low, getting stranded on the side of the road can be very dangerous."

Be sure to check road conditions before you head out.

Should we have any cancellations, postponements or delays, be sure to check our updates.