National Weather Service warns of heavy rain potential

Heavy rains could combine with high river levels to cause more flooding along the Mississippi River and its tributaries during the next few days, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service's hazardous weather outlook for the region warns of heavy rains moving into the area late Thursday, with up to two inches of rainfall possible throughout Southeast Missouri. Severe storms, however, aren't likely.

The weather service said the main concern is for people living along the swollen Mississippi River, which was about 8 feet above flood stage at Cape Girardeau on Thursday morning, and its tributaries. Heavy rain will continue into Friday.

An areal flood watch was issued Thursday morning for parts of Southeast Missouri, Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois. The Missouri watch extends north from Perry County to New Madrid and Mississippi counties in the south, and west to Cater and Wayne counties.

River flooding and high moisture content could combine to cause local and flash flooding, with rainfall amounts of up to 5 inches possible before the rain leaves the area.

A storm carrying cold air and plenty of moisture moved over Kansas City Thursday, and forecasters said rain was likely to turn to snow before midnight. The National Weather Service said that by Friday morning, 1 to 3 inches of snow was possible, with temperatures only reaching the high 30s to near 40.

The NWS said snow has fallen on Kansas City only four times since records starting being kept, with the only measurable snow - 1.7 inches - coming on May 3, 1907.