Poplar Bluff, MO – Cold air continues to surge south into the Ozark Foothills this morning as clear skies and calm winds set the stage for a hard freeze by dawn Sunday. The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a Freeze Warning from 1 AM to 7 AM CST Sunday for Carter and Wayne Counties, including Van Buren and Piedmont, where subfreezing temperatures could dip as low as 28°F.
According to forecasters, this will be the coldest night of the season so far, effectively ending the growing season across the northern Ozarks. Frost and freeze conditions will blanket the valleys and river bottoms, killing any remaining crops or unprotected vegetation. Gardeners and homeowners should bring in sensitive plants, cover shrubs, and insulate outdoor spigots or hoses to prevent freeze damage.
Light winds under high pressure will keep skies clear, allowing temperatures to fall quickly after midnight. Drivers along Highway 60 and Route 34 may notice patchy frost on bridges or shaded stretches near dawn, though no major travel impacts are expected.
Sunday will start brisk but bright, with afternoon highs recovering into the upper 50s under full sunshine. A warming trend follows into early next week, bringing more typical November weather — cool mornings, mild afternoons, and a chance for light midweek showers.
For now, southeast Missouri prepares for its first true winter preview, with frost on the fields and the unmistakable bite of November in the air.
