KIRKSVILLE, Mo. & Ottumwa, Ia — To our west, a new weather system is developing, and by the weekend, it should be a winter storm.
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm watches for all of central Illinois, extreme southern Iowa, and northern and central Missouri in advance of this storm.
This winter storm is expected to move from west to east just north of the Missouri/Arkansas line, according to several model runs.
This system will have more moisture to work with and can therefore produce more snow because it is predicted to originate farther south than the last two systems that have passed through the tristate area.
According to some model runs, this system may bring up to a foot or more of snow to areas of Illinois and Missouri, while southeastern Iowa may receive less.
Models predict heavy snowfall in Illinois and Missouri, which could have serious effects for travel, particularly along Interstate 72 and Highway 36.
Along Highway 34, travel consequences diminish slightly north of the Missouri/Iowa line. There should be very little travel unless it is absolutely required.
Conditions are predicted to rapidly deteriorate in the afternoon and evening, so make sure to finish your grocery shopping and any other errands on Friday or early Saturday morning.
Temperatures are predicted to drop into the low 10s for daytime highs and near zero for nightly lows once this winter storm passes.
All information regarding snow totals and travel impacts is subject to change over the next 24 to 36 hours and updates will be provided when they become available.