The National Weather Service expects abundant snow and ice today throughout the KTTS listening area. Jasper County to Laclede County to Wright County will see 4-6 inches of snow, impacting daily commutes for most and shutting many indoors.
Temperatures will not be kind Sunday and Monday, with wind chills during the day ranging from -10 to -20. Wind chill values could drop to as low as -22 tonight.
Meteorologist Jeff Haberding at the National Weather Service says the snow will begin pretty early, but it depends on where you are.
“Here in the Joplin area, we are looking at [around 8 o’clock], but the far eastern areas like Mountain Grove may not see this storm until the afternoon.”
The Missouri Department of Transportation warns drivers to get where they need to go early and stay there. They say if you must travel, pack blankets, food, and water, and have a full tank of gas. If you get stuck on the side of the road, don’t leave your vehicle and wait for help.
Bare skin exposure to the elements could lead to skin damage in as little as 30 minutes.
MODOT has a traveler information map that you can view here, to check on road conditions.
Public utility companies in Springfield and Branson are also warning about a potential strain on their ability to provide heat and are asking the public to avoid using electric heaters and to keep their thermostats just a bit lower than they normally would have them. The price per dekatherm of natural gas soared recently to $400 after southwest wells froze over.
Below is a video by the National Weather Service, posted Saturday, concerning the winter weather on Sunday and Monday.
