The National Weather Service in St Louis issued a Winter Storm Watch, which will be in effect from late Sunday night through late Monday night. The weather service predicts that a major winter storm with significant accumulating snow will develop over the southern plains Sunday night and impact the Westplex.

Snow is expected to spread eastward into much of central and southern Missouri by late Sunday night. A low-pressure system will deepen as it moves northeastward towards the Tennessee Valley region by late Monday night. Although the exact track of this storm is still uncertain, there is the potential that some areas will receive six or more inches of snow by the time the storm pulls out of the Westplex Tuesday morning. The result will be snow-packed and slippery roads on Monday as we start the work week, making travel very hazardous or even impossible.

A Winter Storm Watch is advanced notice that severe winter weather is possible, but it does not mean it is a certainty. But you should prepare in case this storm does materialize. If you have travel plans, you may want to adjust them to avoid the storm, which is expected to move out of the area to the east. You should also make sure your vehicle is winterized, and stock up on emergency supplies like food, medicine and extra heating fuel in case the storm makes travel impossible. This is especially important for those of you who live in rural areas.