Rain to move on, but no snow anytime soon

The trees branches aren't frosted with white powder or glazed with ice. The grass is still pretty much green. And temperatures haven't been too unsavory.

So far this season, Old Man Winter has taken it easy on Southeast Missouri. Most notably, no measurable snow has fallen. And according to the National Weather Service, a few light flurries may be all we can expect to see in the near future.

"It's definitely late in the season," said NWS meteorologist Chris Knowles. "The latest in the season any measurable snow fell in the region came on April 18, 1983. But there were also three winters in the 1950s when there was only a trace and no measurable amount."

By late Saturday, about half an inch of rain had fallen in Cape Girardeau. But the precipitation should end early this morning, he said.

At first, forecasters called for a wintry mix of rain and light snow today. But as Saturday evening wore on, the chances grew slim for any sight of the white stuff.

"There may be enough cold air to change some of the rain into light freezing rain or snow, but if it does it'll be short in duration," Knowles said.

The first half of the week will definitely be less mild than recent days, he said.

"I think it's going to get colder, with lows in the teens," he said. "Tuesday will be the coldest with a high of only 30 to 32 degrees."

Those hoping for snow can hold onto the slim chance Wednesday night or early Thursday for some flurries, Knowles said.

"But it's only a small chance," he said.