A major winter storm is set to bring a dangerous combination of snow, sleet, ice, and rain to the area this weekend, creating treacherous driving conditions and potentially significant power outages for some.
With this system on the way, WPSD Local 6 has activated a Weather Authority Alert for Sunday into Monday. Impacts will develop before sunrise Sunday morning and continue into Monday.
The most significant impacts will likely be in a zone across Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois, and portions of Northwest Kentucky. These areas are under an Ice Storm Warning from 2AM Sunday through 6AM Monday, with the potential for a major to locally historic damaging ice storm. A combination of freezing rain and sleet will begin after midnight, continuing through the day Sunday. Amount of ice and snow could range from 0.25″ to 0.75″, even locally a few isolated 1″ amounts. With ENE winds 15-20 mph and gusts to 30 mph, this could make it easier for limbs and trees to come down from the weight of the ice. Scattered to widespread power outages will be possible, some long duration of a few days possible, especially in rural areas. For many in the Ice Storm Warning area, this could be the most significant ice storm since events in 2008 & 2009. The one question mark is how much sleet possibly falls. While that would still bring major travel impacts, it would significantly reduce the tree damage and power outage threat. On top of this, a round of snow is expected late Sunday night into Monday morning. Up to 1-3″ of snow accumulation is possible on top of the ice, creating extremely treacherous driving conditions.
Farther south, areas near the Ohio River into much of Western Kentucky, SEMO Bootheel, and Northwest Tennessee, a Winter Weather Advisory runs from 2AM Sunday to 6AM Monday. Precipitation will initially begin as a sleet and freezing rain mix before sunrise Sunday. The most significant travel impacts will be on Sunday morning, when anywhere from a light glaze to near 0.25″ of ice will accumulate. (It’s possible that there could be higher ice amounts for the northern row of counties in this advisory.) Temperatures are expected to warm above freezing Sunday afternoon, turning precipitation to just rain. However, hazardous travel conditions will be likely again by Sunday night into Monday, with the potential for a dusting to 1″ of snow on top of any black ice.
In our northern counties near I-64 in Southern Illinois, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 2AM Sunday through 6AM Monday. Heavy sleet and snow are expected here, as well as some potential for periods of freezing rain. Heavy wet snow and sleet accumulations up to 3-5″ are possible, along with 0.25″ to 0.50″ ice accumulation possible if the precipitation remains as freezing rain. Major travel impacts are expected in this region as well, possibly beginning by 12AM Sunday.
This will continue to be a fluid and tricky forecast. Just one or two degrees can make a huge difference in what conditions a location may see. And just a slight shift north or south of the low could also cause a big change in conditions over an area.
Whatever this storm system leaves behind will stick around for a few days as bitter cold descends on the area next week. Once temperatures fall below freezing Sunday, they likely will remain below freezing through at least Friday. Some areas of Southern Illinois that have a coating of ice or snow will end up with a few nights of low temperatures in the single digits and wind chills below zero by the middle of the week. This extended cold snap will pose a danger to anyone without access to adequate heat, as well as unprotected pets and livestock.
Takes steps now to prepare for rapidly changing conditions on Sunday. Download the WPSD Radar app to monitor the latest forecasts and receive alerts for your location.
