Winter Weather Update

The snow officially started flying this morning and will continue to push east across the state this afternoon and into the evening hours.  Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are currently in effect for the majority of Kentucky (map below). Unlike last February, this will be a total snow event, but with some significant accumulations. I’ve added the latest forecast snow totals for each section of the state below from the National Weather Service. Locations within the warning area are expected to see between 4-8+ inches.

Roads have already started deteriorating, especially across the western half of the state and they are now pretty well coated in Lexington. If you can stay home today, please do. If you have to be on the road, drive with added caution!  

This will be a quick shot of snowfall with most activity ending across Eastern Kentucky during the early overnight hours. Unfortunately, this will be followed by the coldest temperatures of the winter season, thus far. I stated in the last update on Tuesday about many in the low to mid-teens, but with snowfall totals increasing and expanding in spatial extent, most everyone will likely dip into the single digits (map below). Highs will then only lift into the 20s tomorrow (1/6), before dropping into the middle teens (Western Kentucky) to single digits (Eastern KY) again tomorrow night. Combined with some breezy north/northwest winds following the snow, wind chills will drop close to or even below zero at times tonight and into Friday. 

This will push the livestock cold stress index into the Emergency category. Be sure to take some extra precautions today for livestock, horses, and pets. Generally speaking; this may include dry bedding, extra feed, unfrozen water, and adequate shelters. More information on specifics can be found in a previous article from UK Ag Communications, here.

This will be a short round of extreme cold. We do warm up over the weekend, but not without another shot of rainfall. Currently looking at the potential for a half to one inch, which could again lead to minor flooding. 

Stay safe and warm!