Winter Storm Warning Issued for W. Kentucky, S. Indiana, and S. Illinois

I'm no good at predicting the future, or at least I wasn't until earlier today when I said to myself, "There's no way this Winter Storm Watch doesn't become a Winter Storm Warning." Well, here we are.

Just minutes ago, the National Weather Service issued that warning, and, boy, does it ever cover a very large swath of Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois. But we'll start in Missouri since, sometimes, what happens in St. Louis doesn't STAY in St. Louis and visits us here in the tri-state. Skip to the 3:13 mark and you'll see what they're expecting in southeastern Missouri.

Winter Storm Warning -- KY, IN, IL

The southern half of the Show-Me State has already been issued its Winter Storm Warning, and, according to the National Weather Service's Paducah office, we have joined the fun. However, those numbers you see on the Missouri map will get smaller but no less significant when the storm moves into our area. I just wanted to show you that this storm means business. From the NWS:

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TUESDAY TO 9 AM CST
WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 4 and
6 inches with locally higher amounts possible.

* WHERE...Portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, and
western Kentucky.

* WHEN...From noon Tuesday to 9 AM CST Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous
conditions could impact the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning
commutes.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Light snow is possible early Tuesday which
may bring light accumulations and bring hazardous travel
conditions. However, the heavy snowfall is expected later in the
afternoon and into the night.

While this is certainly no picnic, it IS mainly a snow event, and with the temperatures so cold, we could be looking at fine, powdery precipitation. That could mean sketchy visibility if the wind kicks up.

If you have to travel, make sure you have a flashlight, blankets, emergency food, and a charged smartphone in your vehicle.