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This forecast update covers far southern Illinois, far southeast Missouri, and far western Kentucky. See the coverage map on the right side of the blog.
Remember that weather evolves. Check back frequently for updates, especially during active weather.
Thursday – Mostly sunny and cold. Highs likely staying in the 20’s over most of our counties. Northwest winds at 10-15 mph. My confidence in this part of the forecast verifying is high
Morning School Bus Stop Weather – A cold start for your school day. Just a few clouds. Temperatures will likely be in the teens over much of the area. Wind chills into the single digits. BRRR. Chances of schools being delayed because of the weather 30%
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Afternoon School Bus Stop Weather – Partly sunny and cold with temperatures only in the 20’s.
Thursday night – Clearing and cold. Lows from 18-20 north and in the lower 20’s elsewhere. My confidence in this part of the forecast verifying is high
Friday – Partly cloudy and cold. Highs in the 40’s. Southerly winds at 10 mph. My confidence in this part of the forecast verifying is high
Friday night – Partly cloudy…not quite as cold. Lows in the upper 20’s and lower 30’s. Southerly winds at 10-15 mph. My confidence in this part of the forecast verifying is high
Saturday – An increase in clouds. Milder. Highs well into the 50’s! Southerly winds at 10-20 mph. My confidence in this part of the forecast verifying is high
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Current Temperatures Around The Local Area
An explanation of what is happening in the atmosphere over the coming days…
A strong cold front pushed through the area yesterday evening. I am sure everyone is going to fell a difference in the air this morning. Temperatures on Wednesday were in the 50’s over some of our counties. Wave goodbye to those temperatures…at least for now!
The front was accompanied by some light snow and sleet. A few spots have recorded a dusting of snow. Not much.
This mornings temperatures will likely be in the teens across much of the area. Some 20’s over parts of western Kentucky. And, we won’t see temperatures rise much today. Highs will only be in the 20’s. Brrrr? Well, it is winter.
The weather map today shows high pressure in control of our area.
The weather will be calm the rest of today into Friday. Winds will pick up a bit on Friday night and Saturday. Southerly winds! That means warmer temperatures. Saturday will bring 50’s to the region! Imagine that! Can spring be far off? Well, let’s now get ahead of ourselves.
I am not tracking any snowstorms. So, if you are looking for additional snowflakes you will have to keep checking back.
The uncertainties part of the e-journal spells out where I am not confident in the forecast. I always tell people to pay attention to the whole forecast and not just the part they want to hear.
Weather is rarely yes or no. Weather forecasts are made up of probabilities. If someone tells you that it is going to snow 1.7 inches in your backyard then I am not sure you should trust their forecast. Why? Because meteorology has not come that far. Not yet, anyway. I can tell you that you should receive 1″-3″ of snow. Yes. I can do that. I can not tell you that your backyard will receive 1.7 inches of snow. Sorry, if you are looking for that forecast then look elsewhere.
No uncertainties today. Calm weather day!
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I raised temperatures on Saturday. Any complaints? I didn’t think so!
Morning slick spots. Some counties picked up light snow overnight. This has left some icy spots on roadways. Use care in those areas that did pick up some light snow.
Bitterly cold temperatures this morning with wind chills of 8-15 above.
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They have a Facebook Page and I encourage you to check it out. DQ Grill and Chill on Facebook
The wild card tells you where the uncertainties are in the forecast
Wild card in this forecast – No wild card today 🙂 – calm weather prevails.
Can we expect severe thunderstorms over the next 24 to 48 hours? Remember that a severe thunderstorm is defined as a thunderstorm that produces 58 mph winds or higher, quarter size hail or larger, and/or a tornado.
Thunderstorm threat level is ZERO!
Will I need to take action?
Just mind the slick spots (if there are any in your local area). Other than that, bitterly cold air for kids today at the bus stops. Bundle up!
How much precipitation should we expect over the next few days?
No precipitation on Thursday or Friday.
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For those of you who picked up some snowflakes on Wednesday night – congratulations. I know a lot of people have been asking me when it is going to snow.
I guess a few flakes are better than no flakes? Or is that just teasing us. Either way – some of you did experience some light snow overnight.
I am not tracking any other snow systems. The winter of snow-discontent will continue! Can we just end this winter and move to spring? Some of you feel that way. I know I know
This section of the blog is speculative forecast information. Because it is past the range of what meteorologists can forecast accurately, it should be considered speculation. Anything past day 5 is considered a long range forecast.
Calm weather will continue into the weekend. A weak weather system approaches on Sunday/Sunday night with a small chance for a shower.
Here is the Friday weather map. Notice the big high pressure area shifting off to the east? That means a southerly flow will develop over our area. High pressure has clockwise rotation. That means milder air for the weekend.
Temperatures on Saturday will be much milder than today and Friday. Highs will be in the 50’s.
Here is the temperature anomalies for today (how much above or below normal temperatures will be). Let’s compare those to Saturday! Below normal today – all the blue colors. Check out Saturday and Sunday. Lot of milder colors.
These departures on in Celsius. Normal highs for this time of the year are in the middle 40’s.
And now, Saturday and Sunday
Who do you trust for your weather information and who holds them accountable?
I have studied weather in our region since the late 1970’s. I have 37 years of experience in observing our regions weather patterns. My degree is in Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University and an Associate of Science (AS). I am currently working on my Bachelor’s Degree in Geoscience. Just need to finish two Spanish classes!
I am a member of the American Meteorological Society. I am a NOAA Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador. And, I am the Meteorologist for McCracken County Emergency Management.
I own and operate the Southern Illinois Weather Observatory.
There is a lot of noise on the internet. A lot of weather maps are posted without explanation. Over time you should learn who to trust for your weather information.
My forecast philosophy is simple and straight forward.
- Communicate in simple terms
- To be as accurate as possible within a reasonable time frame before an event
- Interact with you on Twitter, Facebook, and the blog
- Minimize the “hype” that you might see on television or through other weather sources
- Push you towards utilizing wall-to-wall LOCAL TV coverage during severe weather events
I am a recipient of the Mark Trail Award, WPSD Six Who Make A Difference Award, Kentucky Colonel, and the Caesar J. Fiamma” Award from the American Red Cross. In 2009 I was presented with the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety Award. I was recognized by the Kentucky House of Representatives for my service to the State of Kentucky leading up to several winter storms and severe weather outbreaks.
If you click on the image below you can read the Kentucky House of Representatives Resolution.
I am also President of the Shadow Angel Foundation which serves portions of western Kentucky and southern Illinois.
We have regional radars and local city radars – if a radar does not seem to be updating then try another one. Occasional browsers need their cache cleared. You may also try restarting your browser. That usually fixes the problem. Occasionally we do have a radar go down. That is why I have duplicates. Thus, if one fails then try another one.
If you have any problems then please send me an email beaudodson@usawx.com
WEATHER RADAR PAGE – Click here —
We also have a new national interactive radar – you can view that radar by clicking here.
Local interactive city radars include St Louis, Mt Vernon, Evansville, Poplar Bluff, Cape Girardeau, Marion, Paducah, Hopkinsville, Memphis, Nashville, Dyersburg, and all of eastern Kentucky – these are interactive radars. Local city radars – click here
NOTE: Occasionally you will see ground clutter on the radar (these are false echoes). Normally they show up close to the radar sites – including Paducah.
Regional Radar – Click on radar to take you our full radar page.
Regional Radar
Current WARNINGS (a warning means take action now). Click on your county to drill down to the latest warning information. Keep in mind that there can be a 2-3 minute delay in the updated warning information.
I strongly encourage you to use a NOAA Weather Radio or warning cell phone app for the most up to date warning information. Nothing is faster than a NOAA weather radio.
Color shaded counties are under some type of watch, warning, advisory, or special weather statement. Click your county to view the latest information.
Missouri Warnings
Illinois Warnings
Kentucky Warnings
Please visit your local National Weather Service Office by clicking here. The National Weather Service Office, for our region, is located in Paducah, Kentucky. They have a lot of maps and information on their site. Local people…local forecasters who care about our region.
Here is the official 6-10 day and 8-14 day temperature and precipitation outlook. Check the date stamp at the top of each image (so you understand the time frame).
The forecast maps below are issued by the Weather Prediction Center (NOAA).
The latest 8-14 day temperature and precipitation outlook. Note the dates are at the top of the image. These maps DO NOT tell you how high or low temperatures or precipitation will be. They simply give you the probability as to whether temperatures or precipitation will be above or below normal.
Many of my graphics are from www.weatherbell.com – a great resource for weather data, model data, and more
This blog was inspired by ABC 33/40’s Alabama Weather Blog – view their blog
Current tower cam view from the Weather Observatory- Click here for all cameras.
Southern Illinois Weather Observatory
The Weather Observatory
Southern Illinois Weather Observatory
WSIL TV 3 has a number of tower cameras. Click here for their tower camera page & Illinois Road Conditions
Marion, Illinois
WPSD TV 6 has a number of tower cameras. Click here for their tower camera page & Kentucky Road Conditions & Kentucky Highway and Interstate Cameras
Downtown Paducah, Kentucky
Benton, Kentucky Tower Camera – Click here for full view
Benton, Kentucky
I24 Paducah, Kentucky
I24 Mile Point 9 – Paducah, KY
I24 – Mile Point 3 Paducah, Kentucky
You can sign up for my AWARE email by clicking here I typically send out AWARE emails before severe weather, winter storms, or other active weather situations. I do not email watches or warnings. The emails are a basic “heads up” concerning incoming weather conditions.
