Winter Storm Update

Mixed Winter Precipitation is expected to increase in coverage and intensity during the afternoon. The potential of moderate to heavy freezing rain will increase from southwest to northeast. As the large western trough impinges on the Plains a strong low level jet with substantial warm air advection has developed from Eastern Oklahoma to Eastern Illinois. Temperatures at the surface continued to stay below freezing across much of Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. As warm air continues to build in at the mid levels eventually mixing down to the surface overnight. This warm air aloft has changed the precipitation to freezing rain and sleet across most of the area. Where the Arctic air remains deeper light snow will continue for a couple more hours. As strong forcing continues to build in with the warmer air aloft. Instability will increase giving the chance of thunderstorms to develop and move into the cold air. So heavy freezing rain or sleet with be possible under some of the thunderstorms especially across Missouri into Southern Illinois. By early evening some of the heavier precipitation will make it into Indiana and Ohio. Accumulation of ice especially on trees and power lines could add up to a quarter inch. This could cause some minor power outages and limbs to break.