Winter weather accelerated across St. Joseph and much of northern Missouri Saturday. Spotters and law enforcement warned of visibility down to less than a quarter mile because of windblown snow.
Salt laid down after Friday’s storm appears to have melted the ice on area roads somewhat, but they then froze over again.
With snow falling on top of that, St. Joseph police say the roads here are “not very good.” Streets Department crews were expecting a long night Saturday night. Phase One of the city’s Snow Emergency Plan is in effect, meaning only vehicles with snow tires or chains are allowed in traffic.
Police responded to numerous traffic accidents in St. Joseph, including at least two rollover accidents, one near Cook and Riverside roads, and another 10 miles east of town on U.S. Highway 36. From 7am to about 4pm Saturday, St. Joseph police had responded to 19 accidents.
The area was under a Winter Weather Advisory until 9pm Saturday, and a Wind Chill Advisory until noon Sunday. Forecasters expect periods of moderate snow to come to an end some time Saturday evening, but wind chill values were expected to fall to 15 to 25 below zero late Friday night through Sunday morning.
At least an inch and a half of snow fell on St. Joseph Saturday. Snow totals were much higher to the south and east.
(Unofficial snow total reports)
Chillicothe had about four inches. 3.5″ fell in Cameron. Faucett had four inches of snow on the ground by Saturday night. Kingston had 3-4 inches.
North Kansas City had 2.5 inches by 6:30.
Liberty had 3.0 inches.
Bethany had approximately 2″ of snow by 8pm.
Trenton reported 4.3 inches shortly after 7:30pm.