News Summary
Columbia recently experienced a winter storm that brought 5 inches of snow and icy conditions. As temperatures drop, public services have adjusted operations and residents are urged to stay safe. Snow-clearing efforts are underway, but icy roads pose risks for travel. Local agencies are responding to incidents and monitoring for potential hazards, while concerns grow for the homeless amid declining temperatures.
Columbia Faces Icy Conditions After Recent Winter Storm
Oh, Columbia! The city was recently blanketed in a chilly layer of snow courtesy of a winter storm that arrived just ahead of the new year. Yes, the white stuff was definitely more than just a sprinkle — measuring in at about 5 inches of snowfall with some wet precipitation stacking up to around 1/2 inch. That’s right, the forecast was forecasting a range of 4 to 11 inches, and while Columbia did get quite a bit of snow, it was on the lower end of those estimates.
Icy Conditions Are Here to Stay
With the aftermath of the storm still hanging around, icy conditions are impacting much of the Columbia area, especially in the upper Midlands. So, if you’re thinking of venturing out, you might want to rethink that as temperatures are expected to take another dip into the low to mid-20s after a brief stint of rain and milder temperatures on January 6th.
In fact, locals might want to keep an eye out this weekend as there’s a little possibility of snow and sleet hitting the northern areas of the Midlands. You know what that means — bundle up, Columbia!
Snow-Clearing Operations in Full Swing
As the city struggled to cope with its unexpected wintery wonderland, Columbia Public Works sprang into action. Snowplow crews set out early Monday morning at 7 a.m.. Their goal? To clear the priority routes first and then move their efforts into neighborhoods by the afternoon. It’s a call to all residents: if you can, please keep your vehicles parked off of those priority routes to make the job easier for our brave snowfighters!
Public Services Adjusted due to Weather
In other news, the Go COMO bus service kicked off operations at 10 a.m. on Monday, but they were running on a Saturday schedule due to the icy conditions. Meanwhile, it seems that old Man Winter wasn’t quite done just yet — trash collection took a break for Monday, and officials are still assessing what Tuesday’s schedule will look like. As for curbside recycling? Well, that service has been postponed through Wednesday. So hang tight!
As the city and county services adjusted their operations, Columbia Public Schools and the University of Missouri shifted to remote methods. The Columbia Public Health and Human Services center, along with the Activity and Recreation Center, both had their openings delayed and hours modified. If you are in need of some assistance, make sure to check their adjusted hours!
Public Safety Measures in Action
As road conditions worsened, the Columbia Police Department put in place a delayed response protocol for non-emergency crashes. Think of it as trying to keep everyone safe while they figure out just how slippery those roads really are. Locally, officials received a barrage of calls, mostly regarding stranded motorists and minor crashes. So, if you find yourself stuck, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
Storm Impact on Local Infrastructure
Let’s not forget about the air travel situations. The airport was busy clearing runways, but there were no commercial flights scheduled last Sunday. That said, utility crews were on standby, gearing up just in case of any outages. Luckily, as of Monday morning, Columbia remained outage-free!
Travel Cautions and Community Concerns
And here’s a gentle reminder from MoDOT: If you can avoid traveling, please do! Many roadways in Mid-Missouri are still under a white coat of snow and ice, making travel pretty hazardous. With temperatures potentially dropping near 0 degrees soon, there’s growing concern for the homeless shelters in the area, which may soon be operating at full capacity.
With chilly days ahead, let’s all stay safe out there, Columbia! Keep warm and don’t forget to help your neighbors if you can. Happy winter to all!
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HERE Resources
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Nonprofits in Columbia Prepare for Increased Demand and Community Support Amid Holiday Season
Additional Resources
- Columbia Tribune: Snow Totals and Road Conditions
- Wikipedia: Columbia, Missouri
- The State: Weather News in Columbia
- Google Search: Columbia Weather News
- ABC 17 News: MoDOT Road Conditions
- Google Scholar: Columbia Missouri Snow Conditions
- Weather.com: Current Weather in Columbia
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Weather
- KOMU: Columbia Services Addressing Winter Conditions
- Google News: Winter Storm Columbia Missouri
