FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAY: Mixed winter precipitation could lead to slick roads Sunday afternoon into Sunday night

The KQ2 Stormtracker Weather Team is tracking the potential for mixed winter precipitation across Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas Sunday and into Sunday night. Light snow, sleet, and freezing rain accumulations could lead to slick roadways and hazardous travel conditions in parts of the area. 

Polar air will push into the region late Saturday night and remain in place Sunday as a low pressure system tracks through Kansas and Missouri. This is expected to bring a mix of liquid and frozen precipitation to the Mid-Missouri River Valley starting as early as 11 AM, continuing well into Sunday night. 

Areas north of Highway 36 have the best chance at seeing mainly snow through the event, with up to 2 inches of snow accumulation possible. A combination of rain, wet snow, and potentially freezing drizzle is more likely along and south of Highway 36 through the KC metro and I-70 corridor. 

Warmer air aloft will determine the type of precipitation and location of greatest impacts. In general, the deepest column of cold air will exist further north allowing for higher snowfall accumulations across far Northern Missouri. Areas with more warm air aloft and subfreezing temperatures near the surface could receive freezing drizzle for several hours, creating a glaze of ice on roadways and particularly hazardous travel conditions.  

Temperature changes of only a few degrees will dictate whether roads are wet or icy going into Sunday evening and early Monday morning. Stay tuned for updates as we fine-tune the forecast.