“Severe Weekend Blizzard Prompts Urgent Travel Advisory for Motorists”

JEFFERSON CITY – Driving conditions have worsened in western Missouri on Saturday as winter precipitation moves to the east. The Missouri Department of Transportation is advising motorists to refrain from traveling during the winter storm, which is anticipated to persist until Monday morning. The National Weather Service has elevated the storm warning to a blizzard warning for the northwestern and west-central regions of the state, effective 3 a.m. Sunday morning. This warning is a supplement to the current winter storm warning across the state, which is delivering a complete range of winter weather, encompassing heavy snowfall, sleet, freezing rain, and ice across most of Missouri. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is actively addressing numerous accidents and slide-offs in affected areas.

The precipitation began as freezing rain upon entering the state Saturday afternoon in the Kansas City vicinity. Predictions suggest snow totals could exceed a foot in northern regions, with ice accumulation leading to tree damage and power outages in other parts of the state. According to the NWS, travel will be deemed “impossible.”

“Motorists should refrain from traveling until conditions improve sometime on Monday,” stated MoDOT Chief Safety and Operations Officer Becky Allmeroth. “Throughout the remainder of this weekend, travel should be restricted to emergencies only. These challenging conditions will also hinder response times for our teams and emergency partners.”

Throughout the state, MoDOT has approximately 1,500 snowplows in operation with crews on 12-hour shifts until roadways are mostly clear after the snow ceases. MoDOT is collaborating with the State Emergency Management Agency, which is proactively coordinating the response from the State Emergency Operations Center. Gov. Mike Parson’s executive order has mobilized the Missouri National Guard to support response efforts.

The NWS blizzard warning encompasses interstates 29 and 35, U.S. Route 36, and the neighboring counties in northern Missouri.

Missouri road conditions can be accessed 24/7 on the Traveler Information Map at www.modot.org for desktop and mobile devices. Motorists can also check road conditions by following MoDOT on Facebook and X or by calling 888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636) to talk to a customer service representative. Drivers can contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s emergency number *55 to reach the nearest troop headquarters.

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For further information, call MoDOT at 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org.

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