Alton, Mo. – What with holiday traveling, family and friends visiting, and just the regular commotion surrounding the busiest time of the year, an early-season snowstorm hit the area. Accompanying it was severe cold temperatures. Adding together ice, snow, wind, and frigid temperatures, partying was put on hold. Along with that, roads were dangerous to travel. Highway 19, going north from Alton, Missouri, was closed due to weather.
Thursday
Thursday morning began as any other- seasonally warm. One did wonder if the weather predictions would be accurate. Around noon the storm began to hit. Freezing rain made surfaces slick. That changed to snow as temperatures plummeted. One hurried home from whatever affairs had been planned. Temperatures dropped to negative numbers overnight, with no chance for salt to work on the roads.
Friday
Friday morning, residents awoke to mostly covered roads. MODOT (Missouri Department of Transportation) worked diligently to clear roadways to prevent accidents. However, some roads took longer than others. Highway 19, heading north out of Alton, is one of the roads that could not be cleared. With steep hills, no shoulders, a river, and curves, MODOT decided to close the highway.
Saturday
As of Saturday, temperatures are abating; we made it to twenty degrees. However, Highway 19 is still closed to traffic unless you live there. Highway 19 is closed from Alton to Winona. Many trees shade the pavement, making melting slower than in open areas. Even Christmas cannot melt the snow and ice off roadways. Nonetheless, Monday is expected to bring above-freezing temperatures. Most roadways should be opening then.
If you do need to travel for Christmas celebrations, MODOT urges you to practice caution as you drive. Sometimes, a phone call will work when the weather does not cooperate. A visit can be done later in the week as the weather clears up and temperatures rise.
Be safe and Merry Christmas!
