Major winter weather is forecast for much of the state beginning overnight Tuesday and continuing through the end of the week. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning from tonight through Thursday evening. Heavy snow is possible with total accumulations of 6 to 14 inches possible. The Missouri Department of Transportation urges people to stay off the roads if at all possible during the periods of ice and snow. If you must travel this week, use extra caution, anticipate slower travel times and consult the Traveler Information Map for road conditions. “This is a potentially severe winter storm that will play out over several days and dump a mixed bag of freezing precipitation on most of the state,” said MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna. “Up to 12 inches or more of snow has been forecast for portions of Missouri and other areas may receive freezing rain, ice and sleet in advance of the snowfall.” Officials from the National Weather Service and FEMA’s Region 7 office in Kansas City have been monitoring the development of this winter storm. Most of Missouri and eastern Kansas will likely see the greatest impacts. Parts of southeast Nebraska and southern Iowa may see some snowfall, but those totals are expected to be less than about four inches. Forecast models indicate the winter system will bring wide-ranging snowfall amounts up to as much as 14 inches in some areas. Central Missouri could see even higher snow totals. Ice accumulations are likely along and south of the I-44 corridor, with possible accumulations of as much as a quarter-inch in southeast Missouri. All available crews will be out across the state working 12-hour shifts throughout the day and night, but staffing is still short across the state due to turnover and sickness. “It may take crews longer to return roads to a mostly clear status after the storm ends later this week,” McKenna said.