Rainfall, rather than Monday's early morning snowfall, is the likely cause of flooding for several parts of Northwest Missouri, according to a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill, Mo.

"When you get wet and you can't dry out, all that succeeding rainfall becomes runoff," Dave Beusterien said.

Mr. Beusterien said heavy rains for the last month caused area soil to become saturated and the inch and a half of precipitation Monday didn't help.

"That can put a river in flood," he said.

The weather service issued a flood warning for the Platte River near Platte City, Mo., on Wednesday. Flooding caused the Missouri Department of Transportation to close Route H in Buchanan County, but it reopened Wednesday afternoon. The flood stage for the Platte River is 20 feet. The river was at about 22.26 feet Wednesday afternoon but was lowering. Clear skies are expected for the next four days with highs in the 50s.

At Agency, Mo., the river was at 20 feet but was expected to drop today.

The Grand River near Chillicothe, Mo., left most rural roads under water. Flood stage in that area is 24 feet, and by Wednesday afternoon the river was at 30.05 feet.

Route A in Caldwell County and Route C in Livingston County have been closed since Wednesday morning due to flooding at Shoal Creek. Both Lost and Lick Fork creeks caused flooding earlier in the week but MoDOT opened Route W and Route M.

River levels near Agency and Chillicothe are expected to drop today.

The Climate Prediction Center's temperature outlook shows a 33 percent to 36 percent chance that average temperatures for the months of December, January and February will be higher than normal.

St. Joseph residents got their first taste of bad weather this week. Local police responded to 16 accidents and five stranded motorists on Monday. Coincidentally, Wednesday was Winter Weather Awareness Day.

The National Weather Service, in conjunction with county emergency management officials from Kansas and Missouri, select a day each fall to remind people of the potential hazards associated with winter weather.

Since winter roads can be dangerous, officials want drivers to pay attention.

Not only should vehicle safety devices and fluids be checked, but the Buchanan County Emergency Management Department suggests a survival kit. In case of an accident or being stranded, it is good to be prepared with items such as jumper cables, flash light, food and a first-aid kit.

Jennifer Hall can be reached at jennhall@npgco.com.