A large area of snow occurred along and to the east of a well-defined surface low pressure trough. East of the surface trough, northeasterly surface winds kept cold air in place. Warmer air moving in aloft created conditions favorable for heavy snow. The heaviest snow occurred just ahead of a disturbance in the mid levels of the atmosphere. Snowfall rates in the southeast corner of Missouri in Mississippi County were 1 to 2 inches per hour. As the low pressure trough moved east across the region, the snow ended in its wake. The heaviest snowfall totals occurred in the New Madrid and Charleston areas, where 3 to 4 inches was common. To the north and west, amounts were generally from 1 to 2 inches. Specific snowfall totals included: 4 inches in East Prairie (Mississippi County), 3.5 inches in Matthews (New Madrid County), 3 inches in Sikeston, 2 inches in Dexter, Doniphan, Piedmont (Wayne County), and near Benton (Scott County), 1.5 inches in Van Buren (Carter County), and one inch in Zalma (Bollinger County) and Cape Girardeau. Due to very cold temperatures, roads quickly became snow-packed and very slippery. Numerous accidents were reported. In New Madrid County, both lanes of Interstate 55 were closed near Portageville due to a multi-vehicle accident. Three people were seriously  injured when a parked police car that was directing traffic around another accident was struck from behind. State police reported 32 other accidents on a short stretch of Interstate 55 between New Madrid and Portageville. Several tractor-trailers jack-knifed or slid off the road. Elsewhere, several cars slid off roads in Stoddard County. An overturned tractor-trailer caused lane closures on Interstate 55 at Cape Girardeau. Cape Girardeau police responded to about 15 accidents, including four on the interstate. Two people received moderate injuries when a car slid into the path of another car near Chaffee on Highway 77. Visibility was reduced to one-quarter mile or less in the heavy snow areas. Many schools were closed or dismissed early.

Winter Weather in BUTLER, MISSOURI
From 09-FEB-11 08:00:00 to 09-FEB-11 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in CARTER, MISSOURI
From 09-FEB-11 08:00:00 to 09-FEB-11 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in RIPLEY, MISSOURI
From 09-FEB-11 08:00:00 to 09-FEB-11 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in STODDARD, MISSOURI
From 09-FEB-11 07:00:00 to 09-FEB-11 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in WAYNE, MISSOURI
From 09-FEB-11 08:00:00 to 09-FEB-11 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy Snow in NEW MADRID, MISSOURI
From 09-FEB-11 06:00:00 to 09-FEB-11 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI
From 09-FEB-11 07:00:00 to 09-FEB-11 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Winter Weather in BOLLINGER, MISSOURI
From 09-FEB-11 07:00:00 to 09-FEB-11 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy Snow in MISSISSIPPI, MISSOURI
From 09-FEB-11 06:00:00 to 09-FEB-11 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in SCOTT, MISSOURI
From 09-FEB-11 07:00:00 to 09-FEB-11 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter