Prepare for icy roads and frigid temperatures as significant snowfall approaches

As temperatures continue to plunge, the area can expect significant snowfall on Tuesday, mainly after 5 p.m. According to the National Weather Service Paducah, the snowfall is not expected to be severe until later in the evening. After this point, the NWS characterized the projected precipitation as “heavy.”

Poplar Bluff Street Department Superintendent Jerry Lawson said personnel came in on the President’s Day holiday to prepare for the onslaught.

“We’ll get whatever Mother Nature gives to us,” he remarked. “We’ll try to get as much of (the snow) as we can before it gets extremely cold.”

The NWS issued a winter storm warning from 9 a.m. Tuesday to 9 a.m. Wednesday with between four and seven inches of snow expected. The region affected by the warning extends from Doniphan to Cape Girardeau. NWS forecast models are uncertain about precipitation Tuesday morning; however, the bulk of the snow is expected to start falling by 5 p.m. Meteorologists with the NWS are predicting a light fluffy snow that could impede travel due to high winds blowing snow around.

“Drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility,” the NWS warned.

Lawson echoed this statement and said, if the accumulation grows beyond six inches, cars without four-wheel-drive may have a difficult time getting around. He added the department will prioritize major thoroughfares first.

“Sometimes we’ll wait until it stops so we don’t have to re-cover our tracks,” Lawson affirmed.

The NWS also advised delaying any unnecessary travel and keeping extra emergency supplies in vehicles. In addition to the snow, temperatures on Tuesday night will sink to 12 degrees with a wind chill factor of -2.

The winter weather comes on the heels of flash flooding and heavy rainfall over the weekend, setting the stage for icy roads overnight and into Wednesday morning. Lawson said the low temperatures make it more difficult to scoop snow off of roads due to the ground freezing.

This is the second major snowfall of the winter for the department.

“Hopefully, this is the last of the winter,” Lawson said.

Thankfully, the 10-wheel truck critical to the city’s salting and brining efforts that burnt down last year was replaced with a used model in December. He praised the efforts of the Poplar Bluff City Council in replacing the vehicle quickly.

“We didn’t go without for long,” he affirmed.

Lawson said salting and brining will start Tuesday morning.

Wind chills are expected to dip below zero Wednesday and Thursday, dropping as low as -7 degrees Thursday before beginning to rebound somewhat.

Highs are expected to be below freezing Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Lows on Thursday and Friday will be in the single digits. The snow is expected to end by four a.m. Wednesday morning.

Poplar Bluff’s warming center, The Bread Shed, is expected to be open overnight while temperatures remain below freezing. The Poplar Bluff Municipal Library and Butler County Health Department also serve as warming centers during the day.