Forecasters say it's too soon to predict next week's precipitation

A winter weather event is expected to move through the area early next week, but forecasters Thursday said it's still too early to make any solid predictions about accumulation amounts for snow and ice.

The National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky., did however say in its hazardous weather statement issued Thursday morning which covers the next several days that the storm "will have the potential for significant impact on the region."

The weather system that could be responsible for dropping some winter precipitation will start moving into the area Monday night and should be pushed through by Wednesday morning. The current National Weather Service forecast for Monday calls for a chance of snow and sleet with a low around 26 degrees. On Tuesday, there is a forecast high of 33 degrees with rain, snow and freezing rain likely into Tuesday night. On Wednesday, there is a chance of snow and a forecast high of 31 degrees.

Robin Smith, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said weather models will better shape up this weekend, meaning forecasters will have a better idea what type and how much precipitation Southeast Missouri could receive from the system.

"Right now we have no ideas as far as accumulations," he said Thursday. "It's just too early."

What forecasters can say so far is that areas of Missouri to the north, especially around St. Louis, will see a potential for very heavy snowfall, and that precipitation to the south will depend on where the front crosses the region -- temperature variances could mean just rain for Southeast Missouri, Smith said.

Some rain that has the potential to change over to light snow is also forecast for Saturday night. Little accumulation is expected.

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