What a difference a day makes.

On Monday, an inch of snow caused chaos on streets and gave schoolchildren a vacation from classes Tuesday.

Two people were killed in weather-related traffic accidents in Southeast Missouri.

But by midmorning Tuesday, streets were clear. Snow showers were interrupted by sunshine throughout the day Tuesday, but didn't cause any trouble or accumulation.

Today's weather is predicted to be clear, but the National Weather Service says there is a 50 percent chance of snow again Thursday.

Harry Salazar, street foreman for Cape Girardeau's public works department, said the city's first snowfall caught many people by surprise.

He said, "For a little one it was a good one."

Forecasts had called for flurries, but after lunch Monday snow started accumulating.

Street crews began putting sand on bridges about 1:45 p.m. Monday. "It just went downhill the next 30 minutes," Salazar said.

Police Sgt. Carl Kinnison agreed that motorists were caught by surprise Monday afternoon.

"Initially people didn't realize roads were as slick as they were," he said. "At some point the snow started sticking and it became very slick very suddenly."

On Monday, Cape Girardeau police logged about 60 accidents in just over four hours.

But on Tuesday, just three accidents were reported.

Salazar said street crews worked until 11:30 p.m. Monday and were back at work at 5 a.m. Tuesday.

By 11 a.m. Tuesday, streets were wet but clear.

"The sunshine came out and really gave us a hand," he said.

A breeze helped to dry many streets. Salazar predicted few slick spots would remain overnight.

On Monday, roads were slick throughout Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.

On Tuesday, both the Missouri Highway Patrol and the Illinois State Police reported roads clear.

The highway patrol reported two fatal accidents Monday caused by slippery roads.

Lawrence Brewer, 71, of Sikeston was killed Monday on Route H one mile north of Miner. Brewer lost control of his pickup truck and hit a utility pole.

Barbara Cox, 46, of Shelvina was killed Monday on I-55 one mile north of Portageville when her pickup truck skidded on an icy bridge. A trailer being towed jackknifed and caused the truck to overturn. A passenger in the truck was injured.