Winter Storm in Missouri, December 13, 2000

A major winter storm produced 2 to 6 inches of snow across southeast Missouri, followed by 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice. The snow began shortly before sunrise, falling at rates near one inch per hour. Snow accumulations before the changeover to ice ranged from just an inch or two at New Madrid up to 6 inches at Perryville. By midday, the snow changed to freezing rain after a brief period of sleet. Light to occasionally moderate freezing rain fell during the afternoon and early evening hours. The heavy precipitation was caused by a strong upper level disturbance that tracked east-northeast from the southern Rockies, across the southern Plains, and then over the lower Mississippi Valley. A strong southerly flow of milder air just above ground level was unable to scour out very cold air right at the surface, which produced an extended period of snow and ice. The liquid equivalent of all the frozen and freezing precipitation was between three quarters of an inch and one inch. Numerous accidents occurred, most of which were minor. Most schools were closed by the storm. Ice on trees and power lines contributed to scattered power outages, mainly east of the Poplar Bluff area.