St. Joseph, MO – Northern Missouri is heading into the holiday period with NOAA’s “equal chances” outlook for temperatures, but forecasters emphasize that snow or mixed precipitation remains possible between December 20 and January 2. With Christmas and New Years falling inside the forecasting window, holiday travel may face intermittent wintry hazards.
According to NOAA, northern Missouri sits within a broad EC temperature zone stretching across the central and eastern U.S. This means temperatures have equal likelihood of trending above or below seasonal averages. Even without a strong cold signal, late December climatology supports snow potential, especially at night and following cold frontal passages.
Northern Missouri is also in an equal-chances precipitation zone, suggesting near-normal moisture for the period. At this time of year, that typically means snow north of I-70 and rain-to-snow or mixed precipitation in areas farther south. Several fast-moving disturbances may track across the region through Dec. 20–Jan. 2, creating opportunities for light to moderate accumulations.
Communities across St. Joseph, Kirksville, Maryville, Chillicothe, Moberly, and along US-36 and I-29 should prepare for slick roads, reduced visibility, and shifting precipitation types throughout the holiday stretch. Northern counties closest to the Iowa border hold the strongest potential for accumulating snow and may have a better chance at a White Christmas if colder air arrives at the right time.
Central portions of the region—including Columbia, Mexico, and Boonville—may see more mixed precipitation, though brief cold snaps could still bring accumulating snow.
Travelers are encouraged to monitor updated forecasts as storm tracks and temperature fluctuations become clearer closer to the holiday window.
