One last round of wintry precipitation — this time, freezing rain — associated with an Arctic front that moved into the area Jan. 12, caused another round of cancellations by the majority of area schools on Monday, as well as local government buildings and several businesses.
Several area fire departments took to social media to post warnings to would-be drivers, urging them to stay home until conditions improve later in the day.
Warmer daytime temperatures between 42 and 53 degrees are expected for the rest of the week.
Educational closures announced included Alton, Bakersfield VoTech classes, Dora, Eminence, His Place Christian Academy in West Plains, Houston, Koshkonong, Licking and Licking Head Start, Lutie, Mtn. Grove Head Start, Mtn. View Head Start, Missouri State University West Plains and Mtn. Grove campuses, Shannon County Head Start, Skyline School in Norwood, Southern Baptist University-Man. View, Summersville, Texas County Technical College, Thayer, West Plains R-7 Schools and Head Start, West Plains rural schools, Willow Springs Schools and Head Start, and Winona. In Arkansas, school was also canceled in Mammoth Spring, Norfork, Salem and Viola.
The West Plains Lady Zizzers home basketball game vs. Central that was scheduled for Monday night was postponed to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at West Plains High School, junior varsity and varsity teams only. Likewise, the Lady Zizzer Swim Team’s appearance at the Ozark Conference Championships was postponed, which will now take place at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the John Foster Natatorium in Springfield. A Zizzer Boys Basketball home game against Forsyth previously postponed due to inclement weather has been rescheduled to noon Feb. 3, junior varsity and varsity teams only.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in West Plains initially announced a late opening Monday, but as rain continued through the morning, officials opted to close the clinic for the day instead. Similarly, West Plains Bank and Trust Company closed all branches due to the weather after initially planning on a delayed opening.
West Plains City Hall delayed opening its doors to 1 p.m. and the city council meeting was rescheduled from Monday night to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. The city transit bus service, library and civic center were also closed, and trash pickup for Monday was rescheduled to Tuesday. Howell County offices and courthouse were closed for the weather.
Caulfield Fire Chief Shannon Sisney posted to Facebook at about 9:30 a.m. Monday informing followers the roads were “really bad. Solid sheet of ice right now,” noting that the Caulfield Fire Department was working a traffic crash in which a vehicle had slid off the road, and “every other department” was working at least one similar wreck at that time.
“MoDOT trucks are sliding off as well, so you know that it is bad,” he added, before exhorting driver’s to stay home until roads improve.
“Let MoDOT do their jobs without having to dodge cars,” Sisney wrote. “Your life is not worth whatever you’re wanting to go do.”
At about the same time in Dora, fire department officials shared a photo of a chicken that “slipped on the ice three times running from the coop to breakfast. Slipped on the grass. A bird. That’s how slick it is out there.” Followers were likewise encouraged to stay safe and reminded the ice “should hopefully be gone this afternoon.”
The National Weather Service in Springfield projected the West Plains area would be impacted by freezing rain through noon Monday, and an ice storm warning was in effect through 3 p.m.
As of 11 a.m., the forecast called for freezing rain until noon, then rain or freezing rain after. Though the high temperature was expected to be just above freezing at 34 degrees, wind chill values are expected to be as low as 19 degrees, with a steady 14 mph southeast wind gusting up to 22 mph. The total ice accumulation expected was between a tenth to three-tenths of an inch.
Rain will continue overnight, expected to last until about 5 a.m., but temperatures will increase during that time, rising to around 36 degrees, said officials.
For the rest of the week, temperatures should climb, reaching a daytime high of 42 Tuesday and then staying in the lower to mid-50s through Friday. Rain chances are expected Tuesday and Wednesday.
