Paducah, Kentucky – 28°F temperatures are freezing crops and threatening pipes from 1 a.m. through 9 a.m. Saturday across the Mid-South, disrupting agriculture and early-morning travel.
A widespread freeze is impacting a multi-state region from Missouri and Illinois through Indiana, Kentucky, and into parts of West Virginia and Virginia, with a second round expected late Saturday night into Sunday morning. Temperatures are dropping into the mid-20s to low 30s, cold enough to damage crops, stress power demand, and freeze exposed plumbing systems.
According to the National Weather Service, Freeze Warnings remain in effect overnight into Saturday morning for southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, southeast Missouri, and much of Kentucky, with lows reaching 22 to 28 degrees in some areas. A Freeze Watch is also in place across eastern Kentucky, southwest Virginia, and southern West Virginia for late Saturday night into Sunday morning, signaling another hard freeze likely.
Cities including Paducah, Evansville, Cape Girardeau, Bowling Green, Lexington, and Louisville will see the coldest window before sunrise Saturday. Major corridors like I-24, I-64, and I-69 could see slick spots on bridges, while rural and agricultural zones face the greatest crop losses.
Residents should cover or bring in sensitive plants, drain or insulate outdoor pipes, and prepare for increased heating demand overnight. Farmers across western Kentucky and southern Illinois are especially vulnerable after early spring growth.
The freeze threat briefly eases Saturday afternoon before another round develops late Saturday night into Sunday morning, particularly across eastern Kentucky and the central Appalachians. Additional advisories are likely as temperatures trend below freezing again.
