Winter Storm in Missouri, February 17 to 18, 2000

A major winter storm exiting the Southern Rockies moved through the Mississippi Valley and into the Great Lakes. Warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico became entrained into the storm system resulting in a mixture of rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow across Northeast Missouri. The precipitation initially was expected to begin thursday afternoon. However, the presence of dry air from a large canadian high pressure system, parked over the region for days prior, slowed the precipitation process and delayed the onset until thursday evening. Once the precipitation finally began, it remained very light and intermittent and did not increase in coverage or intensity until friday morning. Much of the precipitation fell in the form of rain, freezing rain and sleet. This cut down on snowfall amounts with accumulations ranging from a trace to as much as 2 inches. Ice accumulations were not significant, but did create slick and hazardous roads, and forced the cancellation of many schools on friday. Isolated power outages were also reported. Numerous minor vehicle accidents or fender-benders were reported with very few injuries.