National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

A weak low pressure system moved eastward across the Lower Mississippi Valley on Christmas Eve, reaching the Southeast states during the overnight hours. At the same time, a rather strong upper level disturbance moved southeast across the central Plains. This combination of systems resulted in widespread snowfall. A period of heavy snow occurred during the evening of December 24, reducing visibility to one-half mile or less. Snowfall rates were around an inch per hour.

Photo taken at dusk on Christmas Eve near Paducah, KY as the snow was starting.