Weather

City residents and MU students enjoyed warmer-than-normal temperatures Thursday, when the high reached 67.

For the first time since June, Boone County is classified as "abnormally dry" instead of in moderate drought conditions. However, far west Missouri remains in a moderate to severe drought.

Above-average precipitation since Jan. 1 has improved the drought outlook in mid-Missouri, but more rain is needed to replenish deeper soil that plants need in the heat of summer.

Wind gusts as high as 41 miles per hour blasted Columbia Tuesday as flurries fell at different times with temperatures in the 30s.

Wet snow pelted commuters as they slid along the slick streets of downtown Chicago. Snow was forecast for both the morning and afternoon rush hours.

Warm weather is around the corner for Columbia. First, however, there will be a little bit of snow.

Eighty sirens will sound across Boone County on Tuesday as part of "Severe Weather Awareness Week."

Twenty-one construction workers started shoveling snow off the roof of the Sam's Club on 101 Conley Rd. at 6:30 a.m. Thursday.

Columbia received 20.5 inches of snow in February, behind only the 23.3 inches the city received in February 2011.

Keep up with social media sharing in one spot, without leaving the Missourian's site. And join the fun by using the #CoMoSnow hashtag.

Columbia Public Works suggests disposing of tree limbs by putting them on the curb during trash day; taking them to local compost facilities; or hiring a contractor.

Tell us about the road conditions where you are and what areas drivers should avoid.

Keep up with social media sharing in one spot, without leaving the Missourian's site. And join the fun by using the #CoMoSnow hashtag.

For those looking for shelter from Tuesday's snowstorm, the Salvation Army Harbor House, 602 Ann St., remains open 24 hours a day and offers beds and free meals.

Utility crews work to restore power to homes and businesses in mid-Missouri after a heavy, wet snow left many without power. Electricity was restored to Columbia customers by Tuesday afternoon, but Boone County Electric Cooperative was continuing its work as of Tuesday evening. For Mediacom customers, it was a day mostly without Internet service, but the system was repaired by mid-afternoon.

Columbia's Solid Waste and Recycling Services and Columbia Transit will resume normal service Wednesday.

Total snow depth climbs to 14 inches as residents deal with problems and delays caused by the storm.

Tell us about the road conditions where you are and what areas drivers should avoid.

Some closings and cancellations have been reported ahead of a winter storm forecast to hit Columbia late Monday and early Tuesday. The storm was expected to bring 6 to 10 inches of snow.

With a slight southerly shift in the storm's projected path, central Missouri could see higher snow accumulations.