A Winter Storm WATCH is in effect from Thursday evening through Friday evening.
The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a Winter Storm WATCH that includes all of west Kentucky, and New Madrid and Mississippi counties in southeast Missouri.
Meteorologists indicate a mix of sleet, freezing rain and snow will spread north across the watch area Thursday evening, becoming all snow from west to east late Thursday night into Friday morning and ending during the late afternoon and evening hours Friday.
The main impact…the Pennyrile Region of west Kentucky could see a tenth or two of ice accumulation Thursday night, followed by 2 to 4 inches of snow Friday and Friday evening. The rest of Kentucky and a portion of southeast Missouri could see light ice accumulations Thursday evening, followed by 1 to 3 inches of snow late Thursday night into Friday.
Other impacts include below freezing temperatures by Thursday evening will lead to quick accumulations of ice and snow. Travel will quickly become dangerous. In addition, winds gusting to around 25 miles an hour late Thursday night and Friday could cause visibility reductions where heavier snow is falling.
The National Weather Service indicates ice and snow amounts could be affected if the track of low shifts from the current forecast, so stay tuned to for further updates.
A Winter Storm WATCH means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet, or ice accumulations that would greatly impact travel. Stay tuned for later statements from the National Weather Service in Paducah. This watch will be upgraded to a warning if winter storm conditions become more certain.