A winter storm will impact much of the area starting Friday afternoon and continuing into the weekend.
The most significant snow accumulation is forecast mainly north of Route 13 in southern Illinois, as well as almost all of southeast Missouri.
National Weather Service meteorologist Ashley Ravenscraft says the heaviest activity should be overnight Friday.
"For those that may be out traveling, road conditions can kind of deteriorate pretty fast once you get a couple of hours of heavy snowfall. It's one of those cases where you really don't want to be on the road if you don't have to."
Ravenscraft with the National Weather Service in Paducah says this looks like mainly a snow event.
"Initially, if anything starts to occur, maybe before sunset, you might get a rain-snow mix, but definitely after sunset and the overnight hours, we're expecting all snow."
Ravenscraft says it's best to stay off the roads during that time. But, if you have to get out, be prepared.
"Check the Department of Transportation sites. Check the traffic maps and stuff and definitely know what you're heading out into before you go. If you can avoid traveling during the overnight hours, when it's going to be worse, just don't risk it."
The precipitation should change over to rain from south to north across most of the area on Saturday. But, light snow is again possible Saturday night before tapering off on Sunday as colder air sweeps in behind the departing low.