A line of rain, snow, and ice pellets will move through the area today from the SE to the NE with it all turning to rain by 11 a.m. The rain will move out by the afternoon as temperatures climb into the mid 40s. Dense fog is possible and may cause visibility issues Saturday morning so caution will need to be taken. On Christmas, a very strong storm system will move through the area with storms capable of damaging winds across eastern Kansas and extreme western Missouri. This threat appears to be mainly in the afternoon and early evening timeframe as of now. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: A chance of showers, mainly before 3 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 43. South southeast wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight: Patchy fog after 9 p.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 26. South southwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday: Areas of fog before noon. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 43. Calm wind becoming east southeast 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of rain, then a chance of rain and thunderstorms after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature rising to around 49 by 5 .am. East southeast wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Christmas Day: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, then showers and thunderstorms after noon. High near 61. Breezy, with an east southeast wind 15 to 20 mph becoming south 21 to 26 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 38.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 22.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 40.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 45.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.

Slightly above normal temperatures will persist through the remainder of the week with the next chance for precipitation arriving by Friday as a weak storm system moves overhead. Conditions will then dry out temporarily on Saturday before a strong storm system moves into the Plains on Sunday. This system will bring moderate rains to the area Christmas afternoon and evening, with a slight chance for a passing thunderstorm or two. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 41. South wind 6 to 9 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 21. Northwest wind 7 to 9 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the morning.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of snow after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. South wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday: A chance of snow before 11 a.m., then a chance of rain and snow between 11 a.m. and noon, then a chance of rain after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. South wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

Saturday Night: A chance of drizzle after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Christmas Day: Rain likely before noon, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 59. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 37.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 22.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.

Dry weather will continue through the remainder of the work week as high pressure remains in control. Temperatures will continue to moderate through the period with well above average temperatures expected this weekend as a strong storm system passes to our north. In addition, precipitation chances will also increase this weekend with moderate rains possible Sunday night as the system’s cold front passes through the area. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22. South wind 3 to 6 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. South wind 6 to 9 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 40. Northwest wind around 7 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 43.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Christmas Day: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

Morning lows will range from 5 above zero to 5 below zero. Fortunately, temperatures should warm up through the day into the mid 20s to near 30. That is still 10 to 15 degrees below normal. Temperatures will then return to near normal for the rest of the week with highs in the upper 30s to mid 40s. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 30. Wind chill values between -1 and -11. South southwest wind 7 to 13 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 14. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 20. South wind 5 to 7 mph.

Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. South wind 7 to 10 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 40.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 40.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Christmas Day: A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

The St. Joseph Police Department is warning drivers to use extreme caution as icy conditions cause driving problems around town.

Sgt. Kevin Cummings said freezing drizzle was causing crashes all over town around 1 p.m. Friday.  36 Highway was barely passable.  Cummings is asking drivers if they have to go out to use “extreme caution.”

The St. Joseph Police Department also issued a advisory to the public at 1:11 cautioning drivers that all city streets and highways are slick.  Capt. Jeff Wilson said officers were responding to more than 10 to 15 wrecks at one point. According to scanner traffic, authorities are currently responding to injury accidents first.  Some emergency response vehicles are also having difficultly getting around town according to reports.  Pedestrians are also being advised to use caution in these icy conditions.

A winter weather advisory was issued until 6 p.m. by the National Weather Service, the main impact being light glaze drizzle icing leading to slippery travel conditions.  According to the National Weather Service, minor ice accumulations up to a tenth of an inch will be possible north of Highway 36 where freezing drizzle will last through the day into tonight. Areas south of HWY 36 will see a glazing of ice this afternoon, making roads very slick.

The St. Joseph Streets Department implemented Phase 1 of the city’s emergency snow ordinance at 1 p.m. The City Streets Department has begun salting roadways.  Due to icy street conditions the St. Joseph Transit system has switched to Snow Routes.  No deviations.

The Missouri Department of Transportation’s Traveler’s information map showed several roads in northwest Missouri as covered or partially covered as of 2:20 p.m.  CLICK HERE to view the latest.

Missouri Western State University has canceled its commencement ceremony planned for Saturday morning. CLICK HERE for more information.

The Troy USD 429 School District let school out early and canceled all evening activities.  Also, an FFA blood drive scheduled for this evening in Troy was canceled.

Shortly before 2 p.m. the St. Joseph School District tweeted saying that city crews are out and will have the opportunity to treat the streets before school dismisses.  The St. Joseph School District has canceled all after school activities due to inclement weather.

The St. Joseph Parks Department said due to safety concerns for residents and visitors safety, Holiday Park will temporarily be closed this evening.

REC Center is closing early tonight due to icy conditions.

West Nodaway Valley Schools said on twitter @WNRockets will dismiss school at 2:30pm. No after school activities or practices. Basketball game at Osborn ppd to 12/20 at 6pm

Wintry weekend weather expected to begin Friday with freezing drizzle across the area starting during the morning hours and persisting through much of the day, especially north of Highway 36. South of Highway 36, temperatures may warm above freezing by noon with freezing drizzle changing to drizzle south of that highway. Friday night into Saturday, an arctic cold front moves through with temperatures falling through the day. Light snow will accompany the storm system associated with the front with accumulations generally half an inch or less. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. Calm wind becoming southeast 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. Southeast wind around 11 mph.

Friday: Patchy freezing drizzle after 7 a.m., mixing with drizzle after 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 35. South southeast wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Friday Night: Areas of drizzle before 10 p.m., then a chance of drizzle or freezing drizzle between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., then a slight chance of freezing drizzle after 2 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 19. Southeast wind 7 to 16 mph becoming north after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph.

Saturday: A chance of freezing drizzle before 9 a.m., then a chance of snow and freezing drizzle between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., then a chance of snow after 10 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 22. Blustery, with a north northwest wind 17 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: A chance of snow before 7 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around -3. Blustery. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday: Sunny and cold, with a high near 14.

Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 4.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 29.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 13.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 37.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.

Freezing drizzle is expected across the area from Friday morning through Friday evening. This may cause slick roads and slippery sidewalks, driveways, etc. through the day. Temperatures are expected to warm above freezing for areas south of Highway 36 by mid day Friday, so the greatest potential for glazing will be across northern Missouri. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 27. Wind chill values between zero and 10. North northwest wind 6 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 11. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Southeast wind around 11 mph.

Friday: Areas of drizzle or freezing drizzle before 3 p.m., then areas of drizzle between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., then areas of drizzle or freezing drizzle after 5 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 35. South southeast wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Friday Night: A chance of drizzle or freezing drizzle before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 21.

Saturday: A chance of freezing drizzle before 8am, then a chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 23. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around -2.

Sunday: Sunny and cold, with a high near 12.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 3.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 26.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 13.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 34.