Paducah, KY – Forecast confidence has increased for a weekend system expected to bring light snow followed by rain across southeast Missouri and southern Illinois early Saturday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Paducah.
According to the NWS, precipitation will move in around or shortly after daybreak Saturday, beginning as light snow for some areas before transitioning to rain later in the morning. While a dusting to an inch is possible, temperatures are expected to hover near or just above freezing, significantly limiting accumulation and reducing the threat of widespread travel impacts.
Probabilities for at least 1 inch of snowfall range from 30–45% across portions of southern Illinois and southeast Missouri, with lower chances farther south into Kentucky. Forecasters stress that any impacts will likely be brief and isolated, especially on elevated or untreated surfaces.
As the system departs on Sunday, a brief changeover back to snow cannot be ruled out. However, temperatures will be well above freezing by afternoon, and no significant impacts are expected.
This weekend’s system marks a typical early-season pattern where marginal temperatures allow for short-lived wintry precipitation, followed quickly by a warmer solution. The NWS urges residents traveling for post-Thanksgiving plans to monitor updates, especially early Saturday morning when the snow–to–rain transition occurs.
Forecasters will refine snowfall probabilities and timing details in the next 24–48 hours.
