Friday, January 23, 2026
WINTER STORM WARNINGS ISSUED FOR SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
A winter storm warning has been issued for Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas ahead of heavy snowfall that is expected to blanket the region this weekend.
Meteorologist Kate Hickford with the National Weather Service in Paducah tells KWOC about what kind of snowfall or possible other winter weather we will see beginning tonight.
“We are expecting a major winter storm Friday night through Sunday afternoon, with heavy snowfall and the possibility for some sleet and freezing rain to mix in over portions of the area. The winter storm watch has been upgraded to a winter storm warning. Between seven to thirteen inches of snow is expected across the quad state. Confidence in snow amounts of eight inches or greater has increased significantly to around fifty to seventy percent across the quad state. Probabilities for a foot or more are above sixty percent from roughly Poplar Bluff northeastward to Evansville. A mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain over far southeast Missouri and western Kentucky near the Tennessee border may result in a sharp gradient with reduced snowfall totals. There is a forty to fifty percent chance ice secretion exceeds a tenth of an inch. The northern extent of the icing possibilities is still questionable.”
DANGEROUSLY COLD TEMPERATURES EXPECTED FOR THIS WEEKEND
In addition to the abundant snow, area residents should also be ready for dangerously cold temperatures this weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a cold weather advisory will be in effect from 6 pm tonight through 6 pm on Sunday.
KWOC News spoke with meteorologist Kate Hickford with the National Weather Service in Paducah about what we can expect.
“Prolonged subfreezing temperatures with dangerously cold wind chills, begins Friday and continues through at least Thursday for most of the region. The probabilities of temperatures falling below zero degrees overnight this weekend is about eighty five percent. Temperatures are not currently forecast to rise above freezing through Thursday.”
With temperatures that low, area organizations are opening their doors to serve as warming centers.
In Butler County, the Bread Shed will be acting as an overnight warming center from 7 pm to 7 am when the temperatures get below 20 degrees.
The Butler County Health Department and Poplar Bluff Library will serve as warming centers during the daytime hours when those locations are open.
The United Gospel Rescue Mission in Poplar Bluff is also open at night for men who need a place to stay during the cold weather.
To find warming centers in your area, go to Health.Mo.Gov/warmingcenters.
MOTORISTS URGED TO USE EXTREME CAUTION IF YOU HAVE TO DRIVE DURING WINTER WEATHER
Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas residents are being advised to use extreme caution if they are getting out on the roadways this weekend during the upcoming winter weather system.
According to the National Weather Service, a winter storm is expected to bring heavy snowfall to the area from late Friday night through Sunday.
Officials are urging motorists to stay off the roads when weather conditions make highway travel unsafe.
If you must travel while winter weather is covering the roadways, make sure to have a full tank of gas, extra blankets and gloves, as well as provisions like water and snacks in the event of an emergency. Keep your cellphone charged, but do not use it while driving.
While driving, remember to buckle up, give yourself plenty of extra time to get to your destination, and remember to give snowplows room to work. Don’t tailgate or attempt to pass them. In the event of a crash, stay buckled inside your vehicle until help arrives.
You can find road conditions online by using MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map at traveler.modot.org, or through MoDOT’s free smartphone app, available for iPhone and Android phones. In Arkansas, you can find road conditions at IDriveArkansas.com.
TIPS FOR GOING OUTSIDE IN COLDER WEATHER
With bitterly cold temperatures coming this weekend, the CDC is reminding people to be safe if they have to go outside.
Officials say that you should try to stay indoors during extremely cold weather and any trips that you do make outside should be as brief as possible.
If you do go outside, you should try to wear several layers of loose-fitting clothing, a hat, a scarf or knit mask to cover your face and mouth, sleeves that are snug at the wrist, and mittens or gloves.
Also do your best to stay dry, as wet clothing chills the body quickly.
Make sure to watch for hypothermia as well. In adults, warning signs of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion or feeling very tired, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, and drowsiness. In babies, signs include bright red, cold skin, and very low energy.
More information is available at cdc.gov.
MAN RECEIVES CONSECUTIVE LIFE SENTENCES ON STATUTORY SODOMY CHARGES IN STODDARD COUNTY
A man will spend the rest of his life in prison following his conviction on sodomy charges.
Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Sawyer Smith tells KWOC News that a Stoddard County Jury deliberated for less than 90 minutes in November before finding defendant Robert Grimes guilty for two counts of statutory sodomy first degree.
Grimes was accused of having inappropriate contact with a child in 2023.
Smith says that a judge sentenced Grimes this week to serve two consecutive life terms in prison.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS MAN ARRESTED ON RAPE CHARGE
A northeast Arkansas man has been taken into custody on a rape charge.
According to Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole, earlier this month an individual reported an incident involving a juvenile to the Rector Police Department.
Interviews were conducted involving Rector Police, the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, and the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children division.
The investigation led to the arrest of 72 year old Melvin Lamar, of Rector.
Lamar was booked into the Clay County Detention Center on a charge of rape.