Winter storm watch issued for the area today

Winter weather comes back to town in Southeast Missouri today. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for several counties in the area.

Cape Girardeau, Perry, Bollinger, Stoddard and Scott counties were all put under winter storm watches in effect through late tonight. A winter storm watch means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulation.

The National Weather Service predicts snow and sleet to start after noon today and the high to be near 33. A low pressure system entering the area will push warmer air into the lower levels of the atmosphere tonight and change the snow to sleet and then freezing rain. The weather service estimates possible accumulation of an inch.

Temperatures Tuesday morning should be at or above freezing, according to forecasts. Cities affected are Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Perryville, Marble Hill, Poplar Bluff and Sikeston, among others.