The St. Louis region braces for an unyielding winter storm, as the National Weather Service in St. Louis warns residents of heavy mixed precipitation, promising snow, sleet, and pockets of freezing rain into early tomorrow morning. According to the National Weather Service, "Additional snow and sleet accumulations between 4 and 12 inches and ice accumulations around one tenth of an inch," are expected, signifying a potentially catastrophic bout with Mother Nature.
The winter weather does not come without its costs, as travel disruptions and safety concerns mount. "Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the tomorow morning commute," was a stern reminder issued by the National Weather Service. The statement on NWS, accentuated by the issuance of a Winter Storm Warning, urges those in the affected areas to carry emergency supplies if travel is absolutely necessary. This includes essentials such as extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle for unanticipated emergencies.
Accompanying the winter warning, a Hazardous Weather Outlook has been circled by the National Weather Service, covering a vast region inclusive of eastern and central Missouri in addition to west central and southwest Illinois. "A dangerous winter storm is impacting the area today and tonight," the outlook states, an emphasis laid bare on the peril that snow, sleet, and freezing rain impose upon the quieted towns and sleepless cities beneath the overcast skies. The potential for power outages climbs, particularly in the eastern Ozarks, as ice accumulation threatens the stability of power lines and tree limbs alike.
While the immediate future promises a clear, if biting cold respite from precipitation after the storm abates, the National Weather Service reminds citizens to remain vigilant and report weather conditions. "Storm spotters are encouraged to report changes in wintry precipitation types and accumulations," the forecast details and further highlights the community's role in mapping the impact of the storm — particularly reporting on "damage to trees and power outages."
