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  ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The St. Louis area is digging out from 8 inches of snow, but it won't be on the ground for long.

  The snow began Thursday afternoon, took a brief break, then hit hard overnight, falling at a rate of up to 2 inches per hour for a while. Most, if not all, schools in the area were closed.

  Lambert Airport was shutdown for several hours overnight but opened again Friday morning. Spokesman Jeff Lea said more than three dozen flights were delayed or canceled. He urged people to call ahead.

  Several accidents were reported around the region, but hundreds of road workers were out in plows and salt trucks.

  Forecasters expect temperatures in the 40s on Saturday and the 50s on Sunday, so a fast melt is expected.

  (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

7:41 a.m.

(KMOV) -- News 4 has crews all over the St. Louis area monitoring both the weather and traffic conditions.

All of our crews are saying that while the road conditions are improving, they are not perfect.

The roads are still very slippery and snowy.

Please be very careful, even if you drive a big truck or SUV. Give yourself extra stopping distance and travel at a safe speed.

7:15 a.m.

(KMOV) -- A spokesperson for MoDOT says that the road conditions are improving.

Since the snow has stopped for the most part in Missouri, MoDOT crews have been able clear more of the roadways.

Drivers are still urged to take extra caution when hitting the roads today.

6:55 a.m.

(KMOV) -- News 4's Paul Cook says that the morning commute is getting better as the morning goes on.

Again, MoDOT is urging drivers to try to leave for work as late as possible so that they will have more time to get the roads cleared.

6:32 a.m.

(KMOV) -- News 4 Meteorologist Matt Chambers says that about 50-percent of the News 4 viewing area has seen the snow come to an end.

The snow has started to move out of Missouri, but most of Illinois is still seeing steady snow falling.

Even though the snow may have ended in some areas, the roads are still rough.

Most highways are moving at speeds around 39 miles per hour.

There have been several incidents of disabled vehicles, cars sliding off the roads, and even a few minor accidents.

Drivers are urged to take their time and be extra careful.

6:10 a.m.

(KMOV) -- Traffic all over the St. Louis is moving very slowly.

There are more cars out there and drivers are being forced to take it very slowly due to road conditions.

Drivers coming in to St. Louis from the Metro-East are facing very difficult conditions. The Illinois side has seen the biggest accumulations and snow is still falling there.

Snow plows are trying to keep up with this heavy snow.

MoDOT is urging drivers with flexible jobs to try to come into work later. This will give them more time to get the roads cleared.

5:50 a.m.

(KMOV) -- The heavy snow across the area caused Lambert Airport to close for a few hours overnight.

According to airport spokesman Jeff Lea, the airport was closed from 1:00 a.m. until about 3:30 a.m.

Only one runway at Lambert is open at this time

Flights don't really start taking off until about 6:00 a.m., but there is a potential for delays since only one runway is open

If you are traveling throuth Lambert you are urged to check flight status before you leave home.

In the first hour of flights, from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., there are already seven departing cancellations. Altogether about 35 flights, arrivals and departures, are cancelled between now and noon.

5:22 a.m.

(KMOV) -- The 4-Warn Storm Team has been calculating some of the snowfall totals from across the area.

Here are some of the numbers:

Lebanon, IL 8"

Carrollton, IL 8"

Hazlewood, MO 8"

Elsah, IL 7.3"

Carlinville, IL 7"

Belleville, IL 7"

Hillsboro, IL 7"

Dupo, IL 5"

New Haven, MO 4.5"

5:08 a.m.

(KMOV) -- Snow is still falling all across the St. Louis metropolitan area.

4-Warn Meteorologist Matt Chambers says that the heaviest snow is going to continue to hit area north and east of the City of St. Louis.

4:51 a.m.

(KMOV) -- The snow is expected to move out of the entire News 4 viewing by 10:30-11:00 a.m.

All of the 4-Warn Street Sensors are showing temperatures that are below the freezing mark so the morning commute is going to be a difficult one.

If you are planning on hitting the roads this morning, be sure to take extra caution and give yourself plenty of time to arrive on time.

4:43 a.m.

(KMOV) -- 4-Warn Meteorologist Matt Chambers says that this storm system is finally starting to weaken.

The snow will begin to fizzle out across Missouri, but the Metro-East will not see a break for awhile.

Snow is going to continue to fall in Illinois making accumulations even higher than they already are.

St. Louis, MO (KMOV) - Total snowfall accumulations from this storm that hit the St. Louis area range from 6 to 10 inches over parts of east central Missouri as well as southwest and south central Illinois to 2 to 8 inches of snow.

Winds will gradually decrease over the area today and then switch out of the south on tonight as high pressure moves through the region. 

It's important that drivers move slowly on these very slick roads and highways.

Be sure to check if there are any school closings, non-school closings or flight cancellations before venturing out.

10:15 p.m.

News 4's Robert Townsend reporting from Highway 109 in Wildwood says that drivers dread driving on the highway when weather conditions create hazardous roadways.

10:10 p.m.

News 4's Matt Sczesny reporting from Fairview Heights, IL says IDOT urges drivers to give plow trucks room on the road.

10:08 p.m.

News 4's Julian Grace reporting from I-270 in Des Peres says snow is starting to accumulate on the roadways.

10:07 p.m.

News 4's Mike O'Connell reporting from Olivette says that MoDOT says that motorists should leave work as late as possible Friday.

9:46 p.m.

A major winter storm brought widespread snow to the region today.

Snowfall totals so far were generally in the 1 to 3 inch range.

Including 1.7 inches at Lambert Field in St. Louis. 

Another band of moderate to heavy snow will move across the region

Thursday evening before the winter storm moves quickly east of the area on

Friday morning. 

Total snowfall accumulations form this storm will range from 6 to 10 inches over parts of east central Missouri as well as southwest and south central Illinois to 2 to 6 inches of snow.

Winds will gradually decrease over the area on Friday and then switch out of the south on Friday night as high pressure moves through the region. 

Another storm system will move across the region early next week bringing a chance of rain to the region as early as Sunday afternoon.

6:16 p.m.

News 4's Mike O'Connell is reporting from Ladue and Warson, and says that traffic has been moving smoothly all day.

Also, O'Connell says there have been no accidents.

Salt trucks have done a great job with clearing the streets.

6:11 p.m.

News 4's Julian Grace reporting from I-270 in Des Peres says traffic is moving smoothly.

Motorists however seem to be picking up speed, and traffic officials warn drivers that they need to drive slowly in these very slick roads.

There was one accident reported on I-270 in Des Peres around 5 p.m. The accident caused traffic to come almost to a halt, but the highway was quickly cleared and motorists were able to continue their commute.

6:01 p.m.

Meteorologist Steve Templeton says now the heaviest snow will be from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., and that snow levels could top could top eight inches in parts of the viewing area.

Friday morning the snow should taper off with light snow and wind.

5:54 p.m.

Meteorologist Steve Templeton says the heaviest snow will be from 6 p.m. to midnight, and that snow levels could top six inches. Possibly snow levels could top eight inches in parts of the viewing area.

It's important that drivers move slowly on these very slick roads and highways. There have been several reports of cars spinning out of control.

News 4 Thursday afternoon confirmed that an accident at Riverview and Chambers was fatal. This was in North County around 2:30 p.m.

Police say that a van lost control on Riverview, when it was hit by a semi that was following behind him.

Authorities say the van was traveling about 20 miles an hour at the time of the crash.

A young male passenger in the van died in the crash, and two others in the van were taken to the hospital.

It is unclear at this time what their injuries are.

The driver in the semi is o.k.

St. Louis Police say this is the first fatal accident of the day that they've responded to and charges are not likely to be filed.

5:15 p.m.

News 4's Ray Preston says MoDOT has 39,000 tons of salt on hand, and 500 workers working around the clock.

5:09 p.m.

News 4's Erica Byfield reported on the fatal accident at Riverview and Chambers.

This was in North County around 2:30 p.m.

Police say that a van lost control on Riverview, when it was hit by a semi that was following behind him.

Authorities say the van was traveling about 20 miles an hour at the time of the crash.

A passenger in that van is dead, the two others in the van were taken to the hospital.

It is unclear at this time what their injuries are.

The driver in the semi is o.k.

St. Louis Police say this is the first fatal accident of the day that they've responded to and charges are not likely to be filed.

5:08 p.m.

News 4's Julian Grace reporting from I-270 in Des Peres says traffic is moving smoothly, and motorists are taking their time. No major problems at this point.

5:00 p.m.

Meteorologist Steve Templeton says the heaviest snow will be from 6 p.m. to midnight, and that snow levels could top six inches. Possibly snow levels could top eight inches in parts of the viewing area.

4:46 p.m.

News 4's Mike O'Connell is reporting from Ladue and Warson says there has been light rain as well as heavy snow.

Drivers however have been moving smoothly along the main roads and side streets.

4:41 p.m.

Captain Ralph Brown from Jefferson County phoned in and said there have been several accidents, because motorists are not moving slowly.

There have been no injuries reported.

Cpt. Brown urges drivers to drive safely and move slowly along these slick roads.

4:37 p.m.

Meteorologist Steve Templeton says the heaviest snow will be from 6 p.m. to midnight, and that snow levels could top six inches.

4:22 p.m.

Meteorologist Kristen Cornett says the snow is only going to get worse, so if you can start your commute sooner than later the better.

Some of the heaviest snow will start around 6 p.m. and will continue until midnight.

4:08 p.m.

News 4's Mike O'Connell is reporting from Ladue and Warson, and says that traffic is moving very nicely.

Also, O'Connell says there have been no accidents.

Salt trucks have done a great job with clearing the streets.

4:00 p.m.

Illinois State Police say that there was a tanker truck accident on I-255 near 55. There were no injuries however.

3:53 p.m.

MoDOT spokesman, Tom Blair says they are "pleasantly surprised" to see that a lot of motorists have left work early, and have already begun their commute.

3:44 p.m.

Meteorologist Kristen Cornett says the snow is only going to get worse, so if you can start your commute sooner than later the better.

Some of the heaviest snow will start around 6 p.m. and will continue until midnight.

3:42 p.m.

News 4's Julian Grace reporting from I-270 in Des Peres says cars following the rules and are moving slowly, and are keeping enough distance between other cars.

3:39 p.m.

News 4 has confirmed that the accident at Riverview and Chambers was fatal. This was in North County around 2:30 p.m.

Police say that a van lost control on Riverview, when it was hit by a semi that was following behind him.

Authorities say the van was traveling about 20 miles an hour at the time of the crash.

A passenger in that van is dead, the two others in the van were taken to the hospital.

It is unclear at this time what their injuries are.

The driver in the semi is o.k.

3:28 p.m.

Missouri Highway Patrol warns that cars should keep their distance with other cars, and drive carefully with these hazardous road conditions. Drive slow......

3:27 p.m.

Pattonville School District has cancelled all its after school activities.

3:22 p.m.

News 4's Russell Kinsaul reports that several flights have been cancelled at Lambert St. Louis. Also, St. Louis Public Schools have cancelled all of their after school activities. Saint Louis University has cancelled all of its evening classes.

3:16 p.m.

News 4's Julian Grace reporting from I-270 in Des Peres says snow trucks have cleared the roads, and motorists have been able to move relatively smoothly.

3:13 p.m.

News 4's Lisa Manzo is reporting from I-55, and says that she has seen several cars that have spun off the road because of road conditions. No one in these accidents were injured however.

3:12 p.m.

News 4's Matt Scezsny says there have been a few accidents along I-64, but the traffic for the most part is moving smoothly in O'Fallon, IL.

3:09 p.m.

Meteorologist Kristen Cornett says the heaviest snow will be from 6 p.m. to midnight

3:04 p.m.

Snow is reported to be heavy at times in the News 4 area, and will continue throughout the evening and overnight.
A total snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches is expected.

2:54 p.m.

Meteorologist Kristen Cornett says roads are wet, and motorists are driving slowly as they leave work early. Cornett says it's best if get to where you need to be sooner than later, because roads are expected to become even more dicey.

2:48 p.m.

(KMOV) - University Schools have cancelled all after school activities for today.

2:40 p.m.

(KMOV) - News 4 has learned of a serious accident, possible fatal at Riverview and Chambers near North County.

News 4 will start live non-stop coverage on the winter storm beginning at 3 p.m. right here on KMOV.com.

2:30 p.m.

(KMOV) -- Snow continues to fall as do road temperatures making for a dangerous situation on area highways. KMOV.com's Afton Spriggs reports that there was a car sitting sideways in the middle of eastbound I-64 at 157. That motorist was very nearly struck by oncoming traffic. Afton reports that 161 in the Belleville area is very slick, and traffic is moving slow.

2:10 p.m.

(KMOV) -- Numerous reports of accidents across the region as snow continues to fall. News 4's exclusive street sensors show that the temperatures on the roadways are at or below freezing.

News 4's Julian Grace is live in Des Peres over 270. He says traffic is moving slowly, but smoothly. No major accidents as far as he can see. He has seen salt trucks on the road.

Julian says that the accumulation is light and dry. He says that in the past ten or fifteen minutes that the snow is getting heavier.

1:01 p.m.

(KMOV) -- The 4-Warn Storm Team will is now doing live updates.

12:25 p.m.

(KMOV) -- The Cottleville fire department says that west and eastbound Highway 40 is down to one lane between Highway K and the Highway 40 Bridge.

At least 18 vehicles were involved in accidents, but these are mostly fender benders.

There are no reports of any serious injuries.

These are believed to be weather related accidents.

12:16 p.m.

(KMOV) -- News 4's Ray Preston is in West County watching the road condition.

He says that MoDOT is pleading with drivers to stay off of the road this afternoon when the worst of this winter storm is expected to hit St. Louis.

12:06 p.m.

(KMOV) -- News 4 has crews all over the St. Louis area monitoring this developing weather situation.

News 4's Erica Van Ross is in Town and Country where snow is falling steadily at this hour.

News 4's Christine Doyle is in south St. Louis where snow is also coming down.

From our downtown camera, snow is seen falling heavily.

11:45 a.m.

(KMOV) -- Snow is falling across the St. Louis area.

Callers from the Metro-East say it is snowing steadily.

Our Jam Cams also show snow starting to build up on local highways.

11:23 a.m.

(KMOV) -- Dozens of local schools are already closing due to the weather.

Schools across the St. Louis area are letting students go home early.

11:08 a.m.

(KMOV) -- News 4's Ray Preston is at Ladue and I-270 and says that snow is falling steadily.

10:57 a.m.

(KMOV) -- A News 4 viewer called to say that it is now snowing in Creve Coeur, MO.

10:50 a.m.

(KMOV) -- 4-Warn Meteorologist Matt Chambers has just received new computer models with updated information on predicted snow accumulations.

He says that the computer models are showing that the 4-Warn Storm Team's predictions are accurate, in fact, they may be a little lower than the actual amount that will hit the St. Louis area.

Right now, at least 5-8 inches of snow are expected to hit the St. Louis metropolitan area. To the north of St. Louis, 3-5 inches are expected. To the south of St. Louis, 8-10 inches are expected.

Those predictions may be increased very soon.

Starting at 1:00 p.m. News 4 will be in Storm Mode. We will have live updates from the 4-Warn Storm Center and our crews in the field every 15 minutes.

Matt says that the forecasted amount of snow may increase.

We will have another update from Matt at 11:30 a.m.