Winter storm to bring snow and ice to metro-east. Here’s how much the area could get
This story was updated Saturday with the latest forecast.
While the metro-east didn’t see a white Christmas this year, early January’s forecast calls for cold weather and a winter storm expected to bring freezing rain, sleet and snow to the region.
What was previously a winter storm watch was upgraded to a winter storm warning Friday afternoon. The warning applies to St. Clair, St. Louis and surrounding counties from 10 p.m. Saturday through 6 a.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the expected ice, the previous watch reports, and travel could be “very difficult to impossible.” Precipitation is expected to end early Monday and the Monday morning commute may be affected.
St. Clair County and St. Louis are expected to get a mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow, the weather service reported Friday and Saturday.
Most of St. Clair County is forecast to get 3 to 7 inches of snow and sleet as well as up to a .25 inch of ice, according to an update Saturday afternoon from the National Weather Service.
Forecasters expect the winter storm to begin between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. Sunday in St. Clair County and the precipitation should end by 6 a.m. Monday. Wind gusts up to 35 mph are possible.
The St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency held an online briefing Friday afternoon to give safety tips and update residents on the forecast.
“Everyone’s getting ready. Because we have notice here, we can get ready and be prepared for when the stuff does happen. The best advice we can give you is be prepared, and on Sunday, stay in. Let those first responders and road crews get out and do their job and help get this cleaned up, because there’s nothing we can do to stop it when it starts falling,” Bryan Whitaker, St. Clair County EMA assistant director, said in the briefing.
However the precipitation turns out, forecasters expect road conditions will be negatively affected.
“At this point we’re very confident that we’re going to see wintry travel impacts in our area on Sunday,” said Chris Kimble, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in St. Louis.
Across the greater St. Louis region, residents farther north have a greater chance of snow, Kimble said, while those in the south are more likely to see freezing rain. An ice storm warning is in effect in southeastern Missouri.
“For those areas that stay freezing rain for a long time, that’s where we could see some significant icing, so not only icy travel conditions but also the potential for power outages,” Kimble said.
Areas that see more snow could get several inches, Kimble said, and it may stick around for a while as colder temperatures move into the region.
“Once this storm moves away, we’re actually going to get deep into that cold air, we’re expecting temperatures to stay below freezing just about all week next week,” Kimble said.
Metro-east and St. Louis region residents can expect to see highs in the teens and 20s and lows as cold as zero degrees in the coming week, Kimble said.
What to know about the forecast in Belleville, from the weather service:
Sunday: High temperature of 27 with a 100% chance of precipitation with 1 to 3 inches of snow and sleet accumulation during the day and another 1 to 3 inches of snow and sleet at night.
Monday: High near 24s, with mostly cloudy skies.
Kimble said residents can expect cold temperatures next week, but there’s a chance the weekend of Saturday, Jan. 11 could bring temperatures back up closer to 32.
How to prepare for wintry conditions
Since power outages are possible, Kimble recommends people make sure they have flashlights with batteries at home.
“Definitely alter your travel plans if you can, avoid traveling in wintry conditions if you can. If not, make sure you have good tires on your car, have a shovel around so that you can dig yourself out if you get into a situation,” Kimble said.
If you can’t avoid being on the road Sunday or any other day with wintry weather conditions, here are some safety tips from the NWS:
Use your headlights. Bright snow does not guarantee visibility.
Make sure you have plenty of gas.
Leave plenty of distance between yourself and other vehicles. It takes much longer for your car to come to a complete stop on slick roads.
Drive slowly.
Avoid unnecessary trips.
Check road conditions before you leave.
You can check live road conditions from the Illinois Department of Transportation and Missouri Department of Transportation.
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This story was originally published January 2, 2025 at 3:07 PM.
