"Thank you, come again!"

Like most winter storms in Missouri, Winter Storm "Apu" seemed to defy forecasts at every turn. Cape Girardeau missed the heavier freezing rain and sleet (it went south into the Bootheel and western Kentucky), and yet we still had major traffic problems.

That's the problem with ice storms: it doesn't take much precipitation to cause chaos and panic. A dusting of snow is no big deal, but a dusting of freezing rain with temperatures in the low 20's... that's bad. The "bonus" freezing fog last night made it even more interesting.

Let's hope we don't get a repeat any time soon. Since winter hasn't even officially started, however, this storm was probably just an appetizer.

"Remain calm. You will all have a chance to be gouged." -- Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, The Simpsons

Winter Storm "Apu" isn't quite finished. The national radar shows some very light returns across southern Missouri, although it's not clear if any of this is actually reaching the ground. The current forecast from the National Weather Service does call for a 20% chance of freezing rain or freezing drizzle tonight. Freezing fog is also possible again.

Tomorrow, the temperature is expected to rise well above freezing and change all precipitation to plain old unfrozen rain (POUR). Rain showers and even thunderstorms are possible Thursday night into Friday and again late Saturday into early Sunday. Yet another arctic blast (with temperatures "some of the lowest of the season") is projected to arrive Sunday, followed by a chance of snow next week. It's too early to make wagers for a White Christmas.