Paducah, Kentucky – A widespread overnight freeze is set to impact the Quad-State region, threatening crops and outdoor plumbing just hours before sunrise Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a Freeze Warning begins at 1 a.m. CDT Saturday and continues until 9 a.m. CDT. Temperatures are expected to fall as low as 29 degrees across western Kentucky, southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, and southeast Missouri.
The cold will stretch across a large multi-state area, including Paducah, Owensboro, Evansville, Carbondale, Cape Girardeau, and Sikeston. Clear skies and light winds will allow temperatures to drop quickly overnight, with the coldest readings expected between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m.
Communities along the Ohio River, including Henderson, Morganfield, and Metropolis, could see widespread frost formation. Agricultural areas in southern Illinois and western Kentucky face a heightened risk to early spring crops, while unprotected outdoor pipes may freeze after several hours below 32 degrees.
Residents should cover plants, bring sensitive vegetation indoors, and insulate outdoor faucets before temperatures drop overnight. Farmers across the region are urged to take immediate action to prevent crop damage.
Temperatures will rise above freezing by mid-morning Saturday, but additional cold weather alerts may follow if another freeze develops into the weekend.
