A Winter Storm Warning will be in effect from 1:00 a.m. Saturday through 6:00 p.m. Sunday. Snow is expected to begin around 3:00 a.m. Saturday and taper off by approximately 7:00 p.m. Sunday. The heaviest snowfall is forecast to start Saturday afternoon and continue through Sunday morning.
Forecast models indicate widespread snowfall totals ranging from 7 to 13 inches across the Quad-State region, with an 85% chance of exceeding winter storm warning criteria of at least 4 inches. The probability of receiving a foot or more of snow is greater than 60% from areas near Poplar Bluff northeastward through Evansville.
In far southeast Missouri and portions of western Kentucky near the Tennessee border, a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain may create a sharp gradient in snowfall totals. In these areas, there is a 40% to 50% chance that ice accumulation could exceed one-tenth of an inch.
Heavy, wet snow is expected to begin around 3:00 a.m. Saturday across areas near Cape Girardeau and farther south and west. Light icing is possible from approximately 9:00 a.m. Saturday through 4:00 p.m. Sunday, mainly from Paducah southward. The weight of the heavy snow and ice could lead to power outages, downed trees, damaged power lines, and even structural issues such as roof damage.
The storm system is expected to exit the region by Sunday night, followed by bitterly cold temperatures across the area.
By Sunday afternoon, snowfall totals of 7 to 12 inches remain likely across much of the Quad-State, again with an 85% chance of exceeding warning criteria. The best chance for near one foot of accumulation extends from West Plains to Evansville.
A continued mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain in far southeast Missouri and western Kentucky near the Tennessee border could reduce snowfall amounts locally, while ice accumulations may exceed one-tenth of an inch in far northwest Tennessee and parts of western Kentucky.
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