Overview
A major winter storm impacted the Quad State region on January 24-25, 2026. Light to moderate snow started to spread across the region during the early morning hours of January 25th and continued through the day. By early evening, amounts ranged from 1-4" in many areas across our region. However, the heaviest snow had yet to come across much of the region (particularly areas north of the Ohio River). Moderate to heavy snow developed during the evening and continued into the following morning (January 25th). The southern half of the region experienced a good amount of sleet with this second wave as above freezing temperatures aloft punched north. The warm layer was deep enough across far southern KY and into part of the Pennyrile region to allow some freezing rain to occur. Snow continued off and on into early to mid afternoon on January 25th before finally departing the region. Snow and sleet totals ranged from 4-8" across the south half of the area to 8-14" across portions of southern IL and southwest IN. Meanwhile, ice amounts were generally a glaze to tenth of an inch in southern portions of west KY but there were localized amounts near 1/4 inch in Muhlenberg County. A major ice storm occurred just south of our region down in Tennessee and Mississippi. Significant travel impacts were experienced with snow instantly accumulating on all road surfaces due to temperatures only in the upper single digits and teens during the bulk of the event. The extreme cold after the event hampered clean-up efforts and made snow removal difficult.Snow/Ice
Here is an interactive map of snowfall local storm reports over the past 24-72 hours. Heaviest amounts of 8-14" were observed across portions of southern IL along and north of Route 13 and into southwest IN. The entire region observed at least 4" though and many areas were over 6". Totals were lower across MO and KY largely due to sleet occurring in these areas. Sleet amounts generally ranged from 0.5" to 2" in these areas. Paducah officially record 8.2" which was our 7th largest snowstorm on record. Meanwhile, Evansville observed 12.5" which was their 2nd largest snowstorm on record!
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The maps below show the widespread nature of this winter storm with significant snowfall accumulations stretching from TX/OK east across the Ohio Valley and then to the Mid-Atlantic and New England. Meanwhile, further south an ice storm was experienced.
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Extreme Cold
Extremely cold temperatures invaded the region right before this event started and continued in the days following it. High temperatures were largely only in the teens. Evansville, IN only managed to reach a high temperature of 9 degrees on January 26th, which was only the 2nd time they've failed to reach 10 degrees for a high temperature since 1998 (other occurrence was Dec 22, 2022 when they only reached 5 degrees). Numerous record cold high temperatures were established at our long-term climate stations.
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| High Temperatures - January 24th | High Temperatures - January 25th | High Temperatures - January 26th |
Low temperatures dropped into the single digits and even below zero in some areas in the nights following the snow.
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| Low Temperatures - January 24th | Low Temperatures - January 25th | Low Temperatures - January 26th |
Wind chill values dropped below zero across our region, with values of -15 to nearly -20 on January 26th.
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| Minimum Wind Chills - January 24th | Minimum Wind Chills - January 25th | Minimum Wind Chills - January 26th |
Photos
Various photos submitted to us during the event.
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| Evansville, IN courtesy of Walt Egenmaier | Evansville, IN courtesy of Cliff Weaver | Evansville, IN courtesy of Cliff Weaver | Evansville, IN courtesy of Cliff Weaver |
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| Biehle, MO courtesy of Grant Dade | Sharpe, KY courtesy of Cayden Culp | Van Buren, MO courtesy of Christy Wilcoxon | Princeton, IN courtesy of Stephanie McKinney |
Radar
Here is a link to the radar loop from this event starting at 3 AM on January 24th and running until 5 PM January 25th. The first wave of snow during the morning and early afternoon on January 24th was focused more across western KY. After a relative lull mid to late afternoon, another wave of wintry precipitation developed during the evening and continued overnight into the morning of the 25th before finally winding down during the afternoon.
Liquid water equivalent amounts from this event ranged from 0.75 to 1.5" across most of the region. This was certainly some much needed water given the ongoing abnormally dry to drought conditions. Just need to wait for it to melt and soak into the ground now!
Storm Reports
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary National Weather Service Paducah KY 735 PM CST Mon Jan 26 2026 ..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON... ..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE.... ..REMARKS.. 1237 PM Snow 7 SE Winslow 38.31N 87.13W 01/26/2026 M10.0 Inch Pike IN CO-OP Observer snow storm total. 1158 AM Snow 1 NE Owensboro 37.77N 87.11W 01/26/2026 M4.4 Inch Daviess KY CO-OP Observer snow storm total. 1100 AM Snow Murphysboro 37.76N 89.33W 01/26/2026 M13.0 Inch Jackson IL Emergency Mngr Storm total snow from the 24th-25th. 1100 AM Snow 4 W Bluford 38.34N 88.80W 01/26/2026 M14.0 Inch Jefferson IL Public Storm total snowfall from the 24th-25th. 0800 AM Snow 2 SSE Mayfield 36.71N 88.63W 01/26/2026 M5.0 Inch Graves KY CO-OP Observer snow storm total. 0700 AM Snow 2 NW Smithland 37.17N 88.43W 01/26/2026 M3.0 Inch Livingston KY CO-OP Observer snow storm total. 0700 AM Snow 2 NW Smithland 37.17N 88.43W 01/26/2026 M3.0 Inch Livingston KY Public snow storm total. 0700 AM Snow 4 NE Calhoun 37.59N 87.21W 01/26/2026 M4.0 Inch McLean KY CO-OP Observer snow storm total. 0700 AM Snow 3 N Crofton 37.09N 87.49W 01/26/2026 M4.0 Inch Christian KY Public snow storm total. 0700 AM Snow 1 W Paducah 37.07N 88.66W 01/26/2026 M4.4 Inch McCracken KY Cocorahs Storm total snow/sleet at site KY-MK-12. 0700 AM Snow 2 NNW Rockcastle 36.92N 87.99W 01/26/2026 M4.4 Inch Lyon KY Cocorahs Storm total snow/sleet at site KY-LY-6. 0700 AM Snow 4 W Owensboro 37.75N 87.19W 01/26/2026 M4.4 Inch Daviess KY Cocorahs Storm total snow/sleet at site KY-DV-32. 0700 AM Snow 8 WSW Grandin 36.80N 90.97W 01/26/2026 M4.5 Inch Ripley MO Cocorahs Storm total snow/sleet at site MO-RP-7. 0700 AM Snow 5 ENE Sturgis 37.57N 87.89W 01/26/2026 M4.5 Inch Union KY Cocorahs Storm total snow/sleet at site KY-UN-1. 0700 AM Snow 3 NW Kuttawa 37.10N 88.16W 01/26/2026 M4.5 Inch Lyon KY Cocorahs Storm total snow/sleet at site KY-LY-3. 0700 AM Snow 1 SE Miner 36.89N 89.53W 01/26/2026 E4.6 Inch Scott MO Cocorahs Storm total snow/sleet at site MO-SC-10. 0700 AM Snow 3 WNW Hamletsburg 37.16N 88.50W 01/26/2026 M4.7 Inch Massac IL Cocorahs Storm total snow/sleet at site IL-MC-3. 0700 AM Snow 2 W Sikeston 36.88N 89.62W 01/26/2026 M5.0 Inch Scott MO CO-OP Observer snow storm total. 0700 AM Snow 2 SW Water Valley 36.54N 88.83W 01/26/2026 E5.0 Inch Hickman KY Cocorahs Storm total snow/sleet at site KY-HC-1. 0700 AM Snow 2 SSW Calvert City 37.00N 88.37W 01/26/2026 M5.0 Inch Marshall KY Cocorahs Storm total snow/sleet at site KY-MH-6. 0700 AM Snow Crofton 37.05N 87.49W 01/26/2026 M5.2 Inch Christian KY Cocorahs Storm total snow/sleet at site KY-CH-12. 0700 AM Snow 4 WNW Rockport 37.90N 87.12W 01/26/2026 M5.3 Inch Spencer IN Cocorahs Storm total snow at site IN-SP-4. 0700 AM Snow 1 ESE Junction 37.71N 88.21W 01/26/2026 M6.0 Inch Gallatin IL Public snow storm total. 0700 AM Snow 1 ESE Junction 37.72N 88.21W 01/26/2026 M6.0 Inch Gallatin IL Public snow storm total. 0700 AM Snow 1 SE Cobden 37.52N 89.24W 01/26/2026 M6.0 Inch Union IL CO-OP Observer snow storm total. 0700 AM Snow 5 NNW Robards 37.74N 87.58W 01/26/2026 M6.0 Inch Henderson KY Cocorahs Storm total snow/sleet at site KY-HS-11. 0700 AM Snow 3 S Hickory 36.78N 88.64W 01/26/2026 M6.0 Inch Graves KY CO-OP Observer snow storm total. 0700 AM Snow Henderson 37.83N 87.58W 01/26/2026 M6.0 Inch Henderson KY Cocorahs Storm total snow/sleet at site KY-HS-1. 0700 AM Snow 2 NE Makanda 37.64N 89.20W 01/26/2026 M6.6 Inch Jackson IL Cocorahs Storm total snow at site IL-JK-38. 0700 AM Snow 1 NNE Newburgh 37.96N 87.39W 01/26/2026 M6.7 Inch Warrick IN Cocorahs Storm total snow at site IN-WK-27. 0700 AM Snow 2 W Creal Springs 37.61N 88.88W 01/26/2026 M8.0 Inch Williamson IL Cocorahs Storm total snow at site IL-WM-18. 0700 AM Snow 1 W Chandler 38.04N 87.39W 01/26/2026 M8.0 Inch Warrick IN Cocorahs Storm total snow at site IN-WK-34. 0700 AM Snow 3 SE Poseyville 38.14N 87.75W 01/26/2026 M8.0 Inch Posey IN Cocorahs Storm total snow at site IN-PS-4. 0700 AM Snow 9 W Evansville 37.99N 87.71W 01/26/2026 M8.7 Inch Posey IN Cocorahs Storm total snow at site IN-PS-7. 0700 AM Snow 3 E Carbondale 37.73N 89.17W 01/26/2026 M9.0 Inch Jackson IL CO-OP Observer snow storm total. 0700 AM Snow 2 ESE Newburgh 37.93N 87.37W 01/26/2026 M9.0 Inch Warrick IN CO-OP Observer snow storm total. 0700 AM Snow 3 WNW Perryville 37.73N 89.92W 01/26/2026 M9.0 Inch Perry MO Public snow storm total. 0700 AM Snow 2 NNE Melody Hill 38.06N 87.50W 01/26/2026 M9.0 Inch Vanderburgh IN Cocorahs Storm total snow at site IN-VN-41. 0700 AM Snow 2 ESE Carbondale 37.72N 89.19W 01/26/2026 M9.5 Inch Jackson IL Cocorahs Storm total snow at site IL-JK-33. 0700 AM Snow 6 W Darmstadt 38.07N 87.69W 01/26/2026 M9.5 Inch Vanderburgh IN Cocorahs Storm total snow at site IN-VN-31. 0700 AM Snow 1 W Carbondale 37.72N 89.23W 01/26/2026 M10.0 Inch Jackson IL Cocorahs Storm total snow at site IL-JK-31. 0700 AM Snow 2 NW Fairfield 38.41N 88.39W 01/26/2026 M10.0 Inch Wayne IL CO-OP Observer snow storm total. 0700 AM Snow 3 SW Darmstadt 38.06N 87.62W 01/26/2026 M10.4 Inch Vanderburgh IN Cocorahs Storm total snow at site IN-VN-40. 0700 AM Snow Murphysboro 37.77N 89.33W 01/26/2026 M11.4 Inch Jackson IL Cocorahs Storm total snow at site IL-JK-35. 0700 AM Snow 7 SE Winslow 38.31N 87.13W 01/26/2026 M11.7 Inch Pike IN Cocorahs Storm total snow at site IN-PK-4. 0700 AM Snow North City 37.99N 89.06W 01/26/2026 M12.0 Inch Franklin IL Cocorahs Storm total snow at site IL-FK-7. 0700 AM Snow 2 NNE Belle Rive 38.26N 88.73W 01/26/2026 M12.0 Inch Jefferson IL Cocorahs Storm total snow at site IL-JF-9. 0700 AM Snow 0.2 SSW Ina 38.15N 88.91W 01/26/2026 M12.5 Inch Jefferson IL Cocorahs 0700 AM Snow 2 NNE Phillipstown 38.17N 88.01W 01/26/2026 M12.5 Inch White IL Cocorahs Storm total snow at site IL-WH-4. 0700 AM Snow 1 SE Herrin 37.79N 89.02W 01/26/2026 M13.8 Inch Williamson IL Cocorahs Storm total snow at site IL-WM-27. 0700 AM Snow Francisco 38.34N 87.45W 01/26/2026 M14.0 Inch Gibson IN Cocorahs Storm total snow at site IN-GB-9. 0600 AM Snow 1 E Olmsted 37.18N 89.07W 01/26/2026 M3.0 Inch Pulaski IL CO-OP Observer snow storm total. 0600 AM Snow 1 NW Melody Hill 38.04N 87.53W 01/26/2026 M12.5 Inch Vanderburgh IN Official NWS Obs Official snowfall total for Evansville, taken at the Airport. 0500 AM Snow 1 SSW Marion 37.31N 88.09W 01/26/2026 M4.0 Inch Crittenden KY CO-OP Observer snow storm total. 1036 PM Snow 4 E Ava 37.89N 89.42W 01/25/2026 M12.0 Inch Jackson IL Trained Spotter Trained spotter measured 12 inches snowfall near Ava, Jackson county. 0953 PM Snow 5 SW Patton 37.47N 90.09W 01/25/2026 M9.0 Inch Bollinger MO Public 0800 PM Snow De Soto 37.81N 89.22W 01/25/2026 M10.0 Inch Jackson IL Cocorahs Storm total for CoCoRAHS IL-JK-14. 0717 PM Snow 7 SSE Hebbardsville 37.69N 87.33W 01/25/2026 M5.3 Inch Daviess KY Public Storm total. 0710 PM Snow 4 N Poseyville 38.22N 87.77W 01/25/2026 M12.5 Inch Gibson IN Trained Spotter Storm total. 0700 PM Snow Freemont 36.95N 91.17W 01/25/2026 M6.5 Inch Carter MO Emergency Mngr Storm total. 0700 PM Snow 4 N Van Buren 37.06N 91.02W 01/25/2026 M6.5 Inch Carter MO Emergency Mngr Storm total. 0700 PM Snow Van Buren 37.00N 91.02W 01/25/2026 M7.5 Inch Carter MO Emergency Mngr Storm total. 0700 PM Snow 7 SSW Chicopee 36.89N 91.03W 01/25/2026 M8.8 Inch Carter MO Emergency Mngr Storm total in Eastwood. 0700 PM Snow 3 WNW Lithium 37.85N 89.94W 01/25/2026 M11.8 Inch Perry MO Public Measured 4 miles south of Saint Mary. 0609 PM Snow Wingo 36.64N 88.74W 01/25/2026 M6.5 Inch Graves KY Trained Spotter 6.5" storm total measured snowfall for Wingo, Ky by trained spotter. 0608 PM Snow Evansville 37.98N 87.54W 01/25/2026 M9.5 Inch Vanderburgh IN Amateur Radio Storm Total. 0600 PM Snow Boonville 38.05N 87.27W 01/25/2026 M7.0 Inch Warrick IN CO-OP Observer snow storm total. 0600 PM Snow Francisco 38.33N 87.45W 01/25/2026 M13.0 Inch Gibson IN Public Storm total. 0600 PM Snow Winslow 38.38N 87.21W 01/25/2026 M14.0 Inch Pike IN Public Storm total. 0600 PM Snow 8 NE Winslow 38.45N 87.09W 01/25/2026 M14.0 Inch Pike IN Public Storm total. 0530 PM Snow Mayfield 36.74N 88.65W 01/25/2026 M6.1 Inch Graves KY NWS Employee Storm total. About 3 inches of it was sleet. Total liquid equivalent precipitation was 1.16 inches. 0530 PM Snow 2 SW Boonville 38.02N 87.29W 01/25/2026 M8.0 Inch Warrick IN Trained Spotter 0516 PM Snow 4 N Newburgh 38.00N 87.41W 01/25/2026 M8.0 Inch Warrick IN Public Storm total. 0515 PM Snow 2 E Owensboro 37.75N 87.08W 01/25/2026 M5.3 Inch Daviess KY Trained Spotter Measured near 26th & Byers. 0507 PM Snow 2 SSW Cayce 36.53N 89.06W 01/25/2026 M5.0 Inch Fulton KY Amateur Radio Storm total. 0502 PM Snow 3 SE Carrier Mills 37.66N 88.58W 01/25/2026 M11.0 Inch Saline IL Public Drifts up to 3 feet. 0454 PM Snow 1 S Carbondale 37.71N 89.21W 01/25/2026 M10.5 Inch Jackson IL Public 0450 PM Snow 1 S Elkville 37.89N 89.23W 01/25/2026 M13.3 Inch Jackson IL Public 0442 PM Snow 3 SE Boonville 38.01N 87.24W 01/25/2026 M7.2 Inch Warrick IN Trained Spotter Storm total snow and sleet measurement. 0424 PM Snow 4 W Owensboro 37.75N 87.20W 01/25/2026 M4.3 Inch Daviess KY Public Storm total. Measured near Sorgho Elementary School. 0416 PM Snow Benton 38.00N 88.92W 01/25/2026 M13.5 Inch Franklin IL Public Storm total. 0414 PM Snow 2 S Princeton 38.33N 87.57W 01/25/2026 M12.0 Inch Gibson IN Trained Spotter Storm total. 0411 PM Snow 4 E Grahamville 37.09N 88.71W 01/25/2026 M8.1 Inch McCracken KY Public Storm total. Water equivalent was 1.11 inches. 0404 PM Snow 4 N Mount Vernon 38.38N 88.90W 01/25/2026 M12.6 Inch Jefferson IL Public Storm total. 0355 PM Snow 2 ESE Owensboro 37.75N 87.09W 01/25/2026 M5.3 Inch Daviess KY Trained Spotter Mix of snow and sleet. 0345 PM Snow 1 E Murphysboro 37.77N 89.32W 01/25/2026 M10.0 Inch Jackson IL Public Storm total. 0339 PM Snow 1 W Mount Vernon 37.93N 87.92W 01/25/2026 M10.0 Inch Posey IN Trained Spotter 0326 PM Snow 2 SE Heath 37.07N 88.77W 01/25/2026 M8.2 Inch McCracken KY Official NWS Obs Final snow/sleet total at the NWS Paducah office. 0311 PM Snow 1 SE Evansville 37.97N 87.53W 01/25/2026 M7.5 Inch Vanderburgh IN Trained Spotter Trained spotter reports 7.5 inches of snow on the ground on the southeast side of Evansville, Vanderburgh county. Snow is still coming down good. 0259 PM Snow 1 N Cambria 37.79N 89.11W 01/25/2026 M10.0 Inch Williamson IL Trained Spotter 0253 PM Snow Murray 36.61N 88.32W 01/25/2026 M7.3 Inch Calloway KY Utility Company Final storm total in Murray. 0252 PM Snow Murray 36.61N 88.32W 01/25/2026 M7.3 Inch Calloway KY Trained Spotter 7.25 inches measured by trained spotter in Murray, Calloway county. 0247 PM Snow Fairfield 38.38N 88.36W 01/25/2026 M13.0 Inch Wayne IL Public 0246 PM Snow 1 N Cambria 37.79N 89.12W 01/25/2026 M10.0 Inch Williamson IL Trained Spotter Storm total. 0246 PM Snow Johnston City 37.82N 88.93W 01/25/2026 M14.0 Inch Williamson IL Trained Spotter 14 inches measured by trained spotter in Johnston City, northern Williamson county. 0237 PM Snow 5 SE Marion 37.68N 88.88W 01/25/2026 M8.3 Inch Williamson IL Public 0233 PM Snow Princeton 38.36N 87.57W 01/25/2026 M12.5 Inch Gibson IN Trained Spotter 0231 PM Snow Dalton 37.29N 87.76W 01/25/2026 M6.0 Inch Hopkins KY Public 0231 PM Snow Metropolis 37.15N 88.71W 01/25/2026 M8.1 Inch Massac IL Public 1200 PM Snow Hopkinsville 36.85N 87.49W 01/25/2026 M4.0 Inch Christian KY Emergency Mngr 3 inches of snow with one inch of sleet and light glaze of freezing rain. 1100 AM Snow 2 SSE Eddyville 37.05N 88.07W 01/25/2026 M5.0 Inch Lyon KY Public snow storm total. 0800 AM Snow 1 W Waltonville 38.21N 89.06W 01/25/2026 M9.0 Inch Jefferson IL CO-OP Observer snow storm total. 0700 AM Snow 2 E Cadiz 36.87N 87.78W 01/25/2026 M6.0 Inch Trigg KY Public snow storm total. 0223 AM Snow 1 S Benton 38.00N 88.92W 01/25/2026 M9.0 Inch Franklin IL Emergency Mngr Franklin County EOC. 1250 AM Snow Oakland City 38.34N 87.36W 01/25/2026 M5.0 Inch Gibson IN Public 1247 AM Snow Chandler 38.04N 87.37W 01/25/2026 E5.0 Inch Warrick IN Trained Spotter 1200 AM Snow 1 E Herrin 37.80N 89.01W 01/25/2026 M3.0 Inch Williamson IL Public Snow has changed to all sleet. 1155 PM Snow Oakland City 38.34N 87.36W 01/24/2026 M4.5 Inch Gibson IN Public One inch accumulation in the last hour. 1129 PM Snow 2 SE Henderson 37.81N 87.56W 01/24/2026 M2.0 Inch Henderson KY Amateur Radio 1110 PM Snow Boonville 38.05N 87.27W 01/24/2026 M2.9 Inch Warrick IN Emergency Mngr 1103 PM Sleet 1 NE Poplar Bluff 36.77N 90.40W 01/24/2026 M1.5 Inch Butler MO Public Corrects previous sleet report from 1 NE Poplar Bluff. 1101 PM Snow Oakland City 38.34N 87.36W 01/24/2026 M3.5 Inch Gibson IN Public 1100 PM Snow 1 SW Carbondale 37.72N 89.23W 01/24/2026 M4.0 Inch Jackson IL Broadcast Media Measured near SIU campus. 1050 PM Snow 3 NE Henderson 37.87N 87.54W 01/24/2026 M2.4 Inch Henderson KY Broadcast Media 1050 PM Snow 5 WNW Creal Springs 37.65N 88.93W 01/24/2026 M3.8 Inch Williamson IL Amateur Radio 1045 PM Snow Herrin 37.80N 89.03W 01/24/2026 M3.3 Inch Williamson IL Public 1025 PM Snow Du Quoin 38.00N 89.24W 01/24/2026 M4.0 Inch Perry IL Emergency Mngr 1015 PM Snow 1 SSW Owensboro 37.74N 87.13W 01/24/2026 E2.0 Inch Daviess KY Public 1015 PM Snow 2 W Creal Springs 37.62N 88.87W 01/24/2026 M3.5 Inch Williamson IL Emergency Mngr A mix of sleet and freezing rain began at 1046 PM CST. 0952 PM Snow 3 SE Boonville 38.02N 87.24W 01/24/2026 M2.0 Inch Warrick IN Trained Spotter Thin layer of sleet on top. 0950 PM Snow 5 WSW Evansville 37.96N 87.64W 01/24/2026 M2.7 Inch Vanderburgh IN Public 0931 PM Snow 2 W Elkville 37.91N 89.27W 01/24/2026 M4.0 Inch Jackson IL Public 0905 PM Snow Ava 37.89N 89.49W 01/24/2026 E4.5 Inch Jackson IL Public Estimated 4-5 inches. 0900 PM Snow Princeton 38.35N 87.57W 01/24/2026 M3.0 Inch Gibson IN Public 0900 PM Snow 2 NW McBride 37.86N 89.86W 01/24/2026 M4.0 Inch Perry MO Public Report from Perryville Regional Airport (KPCD). 0845 PM Snow Dahlgren 38.20N 88.69W 01/24/2026 M4.0 Inch Hamilton IL Public 0815 PM Snow Wingo 36.64N 88.74W 01/24/2026 M4.0 Inch Graves KY Trained Spotter 0805 PM Snow 2 SE Evansville 37.96N 87.51W 01/24/2026 M2.3 Inch Vanderburgh IN Public Measured near Vann & Washington. 0800 PM Snow 1 N Murphysboro 37.78N 89.34W 01/24/2026 M3.0 Inch Jackson IL Emergency Mngr 0750 PM Snow 1 SW Carbondale 37.72N 89.23W 01/24/2026 M2.3 Inch Jackson IL Broadcast Media Measured near SIU campus.
Environment
The synoptic environment on the morning of January 24th featured an upper level jet stretching from Northern IL/IN into the Northeastern U.S. The lower Ohio Valley was positioned in the favorable right entrance region of this jet, providing lift as moisture streamed north into our region. As the event unfolded, shortwave energy ejected east out of the Baja California region and carved out a deeper trough that ejected across the Plains by early on January 25th. A secondary upper level jet max developed across TX/AR and placed the northern half of our region within a favorable coupled jet region (left exit of the southern jet and right entrance of the northern jet). This enhanced lift across southern IL and southwest IN overnight allowed heavier precipitation rates to develop and snowfall rates occasionally peaked at 1" per hour.
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| 300mb Chart valid 6 AM January 24th | 300mb Chart valid 6 AM January 25th |
A pronounced warm nose aloft (between 850-700mb) lifted north across the TN Valley on January 25th eventually reaching southern portions of west KY by late afternoon. This warm layer continued to advance even further north into our region during the evening and overnight hours. The maximum wet bulb temperature in the lowest 400mb depicts this warm layer well. This lead to snow mixing with and even fully changing over to sleet in areas along and south of a Cape Girardeau MO to Owensboro KY line. Further south, the warm layer was even stronger resulting in freezing rain occurring in southern portions of west KY.
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| 850mb Chart valid 9 PM January 24th | Max Wet Bulb in lowest 400mb valid at 1 AM January 25th |
Additional Information
The Forecast - This was a tough forecast with forecast models struggling with the placement of the heaviest snowfall band in the days leading up to the event. For quite some time it looked to be further south across more of MO and KY, but two days before the event the heaviest zone shifted north across more of IL and southwest IN. In the end, the warm nose aloft ended up being stronger than most guidance suggested. This resulted in the heavier totals being further north and the southern half of the region having lesser amounts due to a good amount of sleet occurring.
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| Messaging from NWS Paducah on January 21st (3 days before event) | Messaging from NWS Paducah on January 22nd (2 days before event) |
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| Forecast Snowfall Totals on January 22nd (2 days before event) | Forecast Snowfall Totals (Morning event started) |
Summaries from other NWS Offices
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