Is the Nice Weather Here to Stay?

The forecast predicts temperatures in the 50s and up this week. Do you think we will really escape with a mild winter?

Climate change may have given Texas the most destructive wildfire season in the state's history, but here in Missouri we've been treated to a mostly dry and often unseasonably warm winter these past months. Here we are about to enter February, and the forecast predicts a week of temperatures in the 50s and even mid-60s. This seemed a bit too good to be true to us, so we are seeking the weather wisdom of Patch readers. Vote in our poll and comment below on your hopes or fears for the remaining weeks of winter.

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UPDATE: Police, MoDOT Prepare For Evening Commute After a Messy Morning

Police and road crews are preparing for the evening commute. MoDOT crews will work into the night, after slick roads and accidents prevented morning road treatments.

UPDATED: 4:00 p.m.-  Missouri Department of Transportation officials said in news release Thursday afternoon, snow removal operations will be underway all evening and overnight. This news comes after messy morning roads throughout St. Louis, St. Charles and Jefferson counties. "We have full crews (204 trucks) throughout the St. Louis region focusing on re-treating every interstate and major route with salt, chemicals and beet juice before rush-hour. Chemicals have to be used with salt to be effective in these low 20's temperatures to break up any icy patches," MoDOT stated in the news release. "MoDOT is re-plowing areas as needed with the wind gusts blowing some snow back on the roads. We will continue to have full crews working until all …

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Inquisitive Photographer

What Is Your Favorite Season?

Spring, Summer, Winter, or Fall?

Whether it's fun in the sun, crunchy leaves, snow days, or budding flowers, every season has something great to offer. Which season do you like best?

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Viewfinder

Snowmen Line The Streets

Local artists-in-the-making use the latest snowfall as their medium, building everything from snowmen to forts.

The snow keeps coming this winter, and the latest dusting was perfect for snow sculpting.  Check out this gallery of snow creations from Affton and Shrewsbury.

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View Finder: Shrewsbury Takes On Snowpocalypse

A photo gallery of Shrewsbury residents enjoying a snow day.

As the weather calmed down to a light snow, Shrewsbury residents began to make their way outside.  Some headed to work; others were exited to go play. Emily Shaw, 6, at Avery Elementary, was excited to have a day off school. "We are going to play all kinds of games," Emily says. "Normally there are cars here (in the school parking lot), but they are all gone for the day so we can play in the snow."

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School Districts Adjust Calendars After Snow Days

Affton and Bayless now have their last day of school on June 2.

The roads are finally clear of ice and snow after last week's storm, but this winter's heavy snowfall will have an effect into the spring. With state law requiring school districts have classes for 174 days a year, some snow days may have to be made up in May. The Bayless and Affton School Districts include six inclement weather make-up days in their calendars, as per state law. Each snow day extends the calendar one day. For Affton these are May 31, June 1, June 2, June 3, June 6 and April 25, which is normally part of their spring Easter holiday. Bayless's weather make-up days are May 31, June 1, June 2, June 3, June 6 and March 18, the first day of Bayless's spring break. According to Bayless Technology Director Bettie Downs, had there …

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Roads Could Get Slick from Overnight Snowstorm

MoDOT is urging commuters to be careful on their drive Thursday morning.

The National Weather Service has issued yet another winter weather advisory, from 6 p.m. Wednesday until 6 p.m. Thursday. Approximately 6 to 7 inches of snow is predicted to drop Wednesday evening and continue on into Thursday, affecting the morning rush-hour commute.  With another bout of icy temperatures scheduled to roll through the St. Louis area, the Missouri Department of Transportation is working hard to keep motorists safe on the road.    According to MoDOT spokeswoman Kara Price, the most immediate threat to the area is a re-freeze on the roads resulting from plummeting temperatures. “Crews will monitor the roads for slick areas, especially on bridges and ramps,” she said. “Even though they will be treating these areas with salt, …

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Tower Tee Keeps Golfers Toasty with Unique Heat Lamp

The Heege attraction may have the most powerful outdoor heating systems of any driving range in the country

Swinging a 4 wood might not be the first thing on your mind when there is snow on the ground, but dedicated golfers in St. Louis can practice their long game all winter thanks to the powerful outdoor heating lamps that keep players warm at Tower Tee Driving Range on Heege. According to Debbie Gruenewald, the general manager at Tower Tee, the industrial-strength heating system they use may be the only one of its kind in the county. Installed in January of 2010, the infrared heaters produce 75,000 BTUs per hour—most driving range heating systems of this type found in America only produce 40,000 to 45,000. "It gets kind of toasty when you are standing right under it," Gruenewald said. Before last January the driving range had small gas flame…

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Marlborough Board of Trustees Sets 2011 Budget

Village to Remain in the Black for 2011.

The Marlborough Board of Trustees Monday night unanimously approved the 2011 budget, which begins Jan. 1. It is expecting a carryover balance of $179,434, which will leave the village in the black for 2011. The new budget includes projected revenues of $929,853 and expenses of $750,419. The main source of income for the village of about 2,300 residents comes from sales and use taxes and the second largest source comes from court costs and fines.  "We're expecting less revenues next year compared to this year, but we're also forecasting less in expenses," said Village Chairman Roy "Skip" Bornmueller in an interview after the meeting. "Because of the economy, we're playing it safe." The only major difference in the 2011 budget compared to …

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