After a weekend snowstorm dropped between 8 and 12 inches of snow across the St. Louis region, meteorologists are warning that extreme cold air has settled in, bringing some of the lowest temperatures of the winter.
Temperatures fell to between 5 and 10 degrees below zero early Monday morning, a sharp drop from weekend readings that ranged from a low of 2 degrees to a high of 10 degrees Saturday and a low of 6 degrees to a high of 14 degrees Sunday, according to AccuWeather St. Louis.
“There are very dangerous conditions outside,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Ben Herzog. “As we look forward to the rest of this week, that cold is here to stay. We’re going to struggle to get above freezing at all for the next week.”
The National Weather Service said it issues an “extreme cold warning” when dangerously cold temperatures or wind chill values are occurring or expected. Wind chills at the start of the workweek could plunge as low as 23 below zero, with wind gusts near 10 mph.
The combination of deep snow and extreme cold poses serious health and safety risks as the region begins cleanup efforts. Frostbite can develop in less than 30 minutes in these conditions.
Road conditions
Tom Blair, chief engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation’s St. Louis District, said it could take at least another full day for roads to return to near-normal conditions.
The St. Louis Street Department said many main arteries were passable, with plow teams now focusing on secondary roads. St. Louis City Operations Chief Ben Jonsson said the goal is to clear snow from arterial streets, secondary roads and hill routes — side streets with inclines — by Tuesday afternoon.
St. Louis County officials said snow-removal crews have worked around the clock since Friday evening.
MoDOT reported that area roads remain wintry and snow-covered, with crews continuing to clear interstates and highways. Drivers were urged to use caution on bridges, overpasses and ramps because of lingering ice and blowing snow.
St. Louis police reported six crashes Monday with no injuries.
“The snow is still going to be on the roadway. It’s still going to be dangerous out there,” said Sgt. Andrew Gadberry of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Attractions closed
Several St. Louis-area attractions announced closures Monday because of extreme cold, including Gateway Arch National Park, the Missouri Botanical Garden, the St. Louis Science Center, the St. Louis Zoo and all St. Louis City and County public libraries.
St. Louis Public Schools shifted to remote learning Monday because of the weather.
Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.