A winter storm is expected to move into the area this afternoon and evening. Some areas will start as rain before a brief changeover to sleet and then snow. The heaviest snow totals are expected across northern Missouri where 5-8 inches are possible. Along the Interstate 70 corridor including the KC Metro 2 to 4 inches are expected. Further south 1 to 2 inches are expected. The snow and rain that refreezes as temperatures drop on Friday night will cause icy roadways. Extreme caution will have to be used if travelling. Snow will move out of the area by noon on Saturday with very cold air behind it. Lows Sunday morning will be in the single digits with wind chills in the single digits below zero. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Snow, mainly after 1 p.m. Patchy fog before 11 a.m. High near 33. East southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Tonight: Snow, mainly before 3 a.m. Patchy blowing snow after 8 p.m. Low around 15. Blustery, with a north wind 16 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Saturday: Patchy blowing snow before noon. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 17. Wind chill values between -4 and 1. Blustery, with a north northwest wind 13 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 3. Wind chill values between -4 and 1. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 25. South southeast wind 3 to 7 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.

M.L.King Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.

Tuesday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 25.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30.