MoDOT warns motorists to avoid travel in weekend storm

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (Edited News Release/KY3) — Driving conditions deteriorated in western Missouri Saturday as winter precipitation pushed across the state.

The Missouri Department of Transportation is urging drivers to avoid travel throughout the storm, which is expected to last until Monday morning.

The National Weather Service upgraded the storm warning to a blizzard warning for the state’s northwestern and west central areas, effective 3 a.m. Sunday morning. This warning is in addition to the ongoing winter storm warning across the state, which is bringing a full mix of winter weather, including heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain, and ice across most of Missouri. The Missouri State Highway Patrol actively responds to numerous crashes and slide-offs in impacted areas.

The precipitation started as freezing rain as it entered the state Saturday afternoon in the Kansas City area. Forecasts call for snowfall totals reaching more than a foot in northern areas. Ice accumulation will cause tree damage and power outages in other parts of the state. According to the NWS, travel will be “impossible.”

“Drivers need to avoid traveling until conditions improve sometime on Monday,” said MoDOT Chief Safety and Operations Officer Becky Allmeroth. “For the remainder of this weekend, travel should be limited to emergencies only. These difficult conditions will also delay response times for our crews and emergency response partners.”

Across the state, MoDOT has approximately 1,500 snow trucks operating, with crews working 12-hour shifts until the snow ends and the roads are mostly clear. MoDOT is working with the State Emergency Management Agency, which is actively coordinating the response from the State Emergency Operations Center. Gov. Mike Parson’s executive order has activated the Missouri National Guard to assist with response efforts.

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

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

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