Paducah, Kentucky – A significant winter storm could bring widespread travel disruptions across western Kentucky, southern Illinois, southeast Missouri, and parts of southern Indiana as heavy snow develops late Friday night and continues through the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah and Louisville, Winter Storm Watches are in effect for a large portion of the lower Ohio Valley. In western Kentucky and southern Illinois, snow totals between 7 and 11 inches are possible, while parts of southwest Indiana and southeast Missouri could see 4 to 8 inches by Sunday morning. Central Kentucky and southern Indiana face a longer-duration event, with snow lasting into Monday morning and a potential mix of sleet in southern counties.
Communities including Paducah, Murray, Mayfield, Owensboro, Hopkinsville, Evansville, Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Louisville, Bowling Green, and Lexington could all see difficult or dangerous travel conditions. Major routes such as I-24, I-64, I-65, and the Purchase Parkway may become snow-covered and slick, especially overnight and during early morning hours.
Residents are urged to avoid non-essential travel, prepare vehicles with emergency kits, and ensure phones and medical devices are fully charged. Road crews across multiple states are preparing, but conditions may deteriorate quickly once snowfall intensifies.
The storm’s exact track and snowfall totals remain uncertain, and additional advisories or warnings are likely as the weekend approaches. Updates are expected through Friday as confidence increases.
