Snow continues to fall across southeast Missouri and southern Illinois this morning. The winter storm is expected to drop between 6 and 10 inches of snow on the area.
The southeast Missouri and southern Illinois areas are in a Winter Storm Warning that will be in effect until 6:00 p.m. tonight.
Many schools and businesses are keeping their doors closed today, such as Southeast Missouri State University, Three Rivers College and Southern Illinois University. The city of Cape Girardeau will delay opening its offices until at least 1:00 p.m. this morning. More closings at KFVS12.com and at semissourian.com.
National Weather Service meteorologist Kelly Hooper said yesterday’s predictions of up to 12 inches of snow are coming up a little short, mainly because some areas received more sleet than snow. Hooper said all areas will receive at a minimum six inches of snow today.
“The main accumulating snow for southeast Missouri I will say will end around midday,” Hooper said. “It may still be snowing after that, but not much will accumulate after that.”
Hooper encourages people take photos of a ruler in the snow and send it to the National Weather Service on Facebook or Twitter so meteorologists can track accumulation throughout the area.
The major snow event is expected to end today, but freezing temperatures will stick around throughout the week. Hooper said more snowfall is expected this week, though he does not anticipate another large storm like today.
“We going to see by Wednesday, we’re going to be looking at temperatures around zero to negative. And wind chills, we may be looking at a wind chill advisory by mid-week because it’s going to be that cold,” Hooper said.
The snow will make traffic difficult today. If you don’t have to travel, it’s probably best to stay put.
Residents rushed to stores on Sunday to prepare for the winter storm.
Linda Schild of Cape Girardeau said she isn’t worried about the snow but she still wanted to make sure she was stocked up on groceries.
“I’m really bad about getting my grocery shopping done, so it kind of pushes me into getting my shopping done,” Schild said. “I had my husband go through the pantry on the phone and tell me what types of things we were missing.”
While shopping at Schnucks, Susan Hart of Cape Girardeau said she was stocking up on supplies just in case the snowstorm is bad while her family is in town visiting.
“I think they’re pretty accurate on their snow predictions and also I have my daughter and son in law from California visiting with my four grandkids,” Hart said. “We’re stocking up just in case there’s an accident or something. We want to be ready.”
Travel will be dangerous today due to the snow. Road conditions will continue to deteriorate throughout the day as the snow continues and may become slick or hazardous, according to the National Weather Service. Visibility will be limited. The Missouri Department of Transportation road condition map shows all major roads in southeast Missouri are covered as of 8:47 a.m.
The following Saint Francis Medical Partner offices and clinics will be closed today:
- Cape Medical Group
- Cape Physician Associates
- Cape ENT
- Cape Gastroenterology
- Cape Diabetes & Endocrinology
- Cape Perinatology
- Charleston Family Care
- Jackson Family Care
- Cape Pediatric Group
- Cape Care for Women
- Cape Spine & Neurosurgery
- Cape Neurology Associates
- Sikeston Neurology Associates
- Cape Medical Oncology
- Cape Radiation Oncology
- Cape Gynecologic Oncology
- Saint Francis Infusion Center
- Specialty Clinic
- Cape Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine
The following offices will be opening at noon today:
- Cape Primary Care
- Farmington Physician Associates
- Jackson Physician Associates
- Immediate Convenient Care – Jackson
- Piedmont Physician Associates
- Cape Cardiology Group
- Cape Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery
- Vein and Laser Clinic
- Physicians Park Primary Care (Poplar Bluff)
- Dexter Outpatient Clinic
Patients should call the St. Francis Consumer Call Center at 573-331-3996 with questions or visit the St. Francis Medical Center Facebook page for immediate updates.