Winter Storm — Mercer, Missouri

2020-12-29 · Mercer, Missouri

Event narrative

During the day on December 29, a potent winter storm moved into the area. The precipitation started as primarily snow during the morning hours producing a couple inches of accumulation, but switched to freezing rain just before 10 am as warm air aloft moved over the area. Moderate, to at times heavy rain ensued through the rest of the morning and early to middle afternoon hours, before eventually moving out by the evening hours. The main impact from this storm was several power outages around the area. Due to the rain rates, not all of the nearly 1 inch of liquid precipitation accreted on surfaces, but a quarter to half inch did accrete, causing a significant disruption to the power, and closing numerous roads.

Wider weather episode

A strong system ejected eastward into the central part of the country just after Christmas. Precipitation started out as snow, but as warm air aloft moved in it switched over to liquid rain, freezing on contact with all sub-freezing surfaces at ground level. The worst of the freezing rain formed generally along the HWY 36 corridor, producing numerous power outages and causing several vehicle accidents. One such accident in Macon county proved fatal as a car slid off an icy road and killed one of its occupants.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 932188. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.