Winter Storm Watch

Winter Storm Watches will be in effect Thursday evening through Friday afternoon for most of southeast Missouri, southern Illinois, western Kentucky, northwest Tennessee, and northeast Arkansas.


I had a question on one of my previous posts as to why some counties aren't included in the watch. Just because a specific county isn't included in the watch doesn't mean you will not get any snow. Each National Weather Service office has their own criteria for a Winter Storm Watch. Below is a listing of all the criteria for a Winter Storm Watch for the surrounding NWS offices.

Memphis, TN: Issued if there is a threat of heavy snow or sleet, significant accumulations of
freezing rain or freezing drizzle, or any combination thereof. Usually issued for the
second and third periods of a forecast (i.e., 12 to 36 hours in advance of the event).
The definition of heavy snow, sleet, ice or any combination of the above in the Memphis forecast area is an average of at least 4 inches or more in 12 hours, or 6 inches or more in 24 hours.

Paducah, KY: Issued if there is a threat of heavy snow or sleet, significant accumulations of
freezing rain or freezing drizzle, or any combination thereof. Usually issued for the
second and third periods of a forecast (i.e., 12 to 36 hours in advance of the event).
The definition of heavy snow in the Paducah forecast area is an average of at least 4
inches or more in 12 hours, or 6 inches or more in 24 hours.

St. Louis, MO: A watch is used when the risk of hazardous winter weather has increased significantly, there is a strong possibility it will reach warning criteria, and falls in the 12 to 48 hour portion of the forecast.