BY MARCUS KABEL

Associated Press Writer

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- The first wave of a snowstorm bearing down on Missouri dumped up to 5 inches in far southwestern areas along the Arkansas border as road crews braced for a second round that could bring as much again Thursday.

A first band of snow left lighter amounts farther north along the Interstate 44 corridor but up to 5 inches was expected by nightfall in places like Springfield and Joplin.

Dozens of school districts in southwest Missouri, including Springfield, said they would dismiss classes early after starting the day normally.

"The primary system will hit us this afternoon," said meteorologist Andy Foster with the National Weather Service's Springfield office.

Forecasters said the storm could bring local amounts up to 10 inches as it moves from west to east across much of southern Missouri.

The St. Louis region can expect up to 8 inches and forecasters warned residents of the Cape Girardeau area to expect at least 8 inches.

The heart of the storm will move through southern Missouri and into St. Louis in the afternoon, and at times gusty winds will create blowing and drifting. The Kansas City area will likely receive 1 to 3 inches of snow.

"Our crews are keeping ahead of it," said Angela Eden with the Springfield district of the Missouri Department of Transportation.

But when snow falls fast, as is forecast for the afternoon, MoDot plows will have to concentrate on keeping major highways clear and get to secondary roads later, she said.

MoDot crews reported up to 5 inches of snow along the far southern state line in places like the Branson area, Eden said.