The National Weather Service in St. Louis has extended a wind chill advisory until noon Tuesday while a winter weather advisory remains in effect through 6 p.m. Monday. Snow is likely across Missouri through Monday, while bitterly cold temperature and wind chill readings will continue until Tuesday afternoon.
Hazardous travel and low visibilities in heavier snow will likely occur; motorists should take precautions and reduce travel during the storm.
Very cold air and strong winds are expected to generate wind chills as low as 20-25 degrees below zero across portions of central, east-central and northeastern Missouri, and west-central Illinois.
The cold wind chills could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken, the NWS advises. Frost bite is possible on exposed skin within 30 minutes.
The NWS recommends limiting outdoor activities during the extremely cold temperatures. People who must venture outdoors should wear a hat and gloves, making sure all exposed skin is covered.
Mid-Missouri’s Boone, Callaway, Cole, Maries, Miller, Moniteau and Osage counties are included in the NWS advisories, among other Missouri counties.
High temperatures in Jefferson City are forecast in the single digits again Monday, with low temperatures expected as low as -7 degrees Monday night, according to the National Weather Service.
Along with the severe cold, the NWS forecast called for several rounds of snow from through Monday. Forecasters said the Jefferson City area could get 3-5 inches in total. The St. Louis area and parts of far eastern Missouri, which are under a winter storm warning, could see 5-8 inches through the period.
The winter weather statements mean that periods of accumulating snow will primarily cause travel difficulties. Roads may rapidly become slippery once the snow begins, so motorists should plan for a slower than normal trip and be especially alert when approaching bridges, overpasses and curves.
When temperatures are forecast to drop below 35 degrees Fahrenheit overnight, The Salvation Army Center of Hope at 927 Jefferson St. in Jefferson City provides shelter for anyone needing a place to stay. However, the shelter has room for only 14 cold cots because of COVID-19 precautions.
There are five designated warming centers in Jefferson City, as listed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services:
– Capital Mall, 3600 Country Club Drive; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday.
– Clarke Senior Center, 1310 Linden Drive; 573-634-8020; 8 a.m.-4 p.m Monday through Friday; closed during severe weather and on holidays.
– Missouri River Regional Library, 214 Adams St.; 573-634-2464; Closed Monday for Presidents Day. Regular hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
– The Salvation Army of Jefferson City can provide overnight cots during cold weather. For more information, call 573-635-1975.
For a list of additional warming shelters across Mid-Missouri, visit newstribune.com/warmingcenters.
Additional resources:
School and weather-related announcements for Monday, Feb. 15, 2021
MoDOT statewide traveler information map