Major Winter Storm on the Way, Arctic Cold to follow

Good afternoon, folks! I wanted to provide a quick update on the latest regarding the winter storm, set to move through the area tomorrow and Monday, followed by a blast of Arctic air.

To begin, the Winter Storm Watch has been upgraded, and a Winter Storm Warning is now in effect for much of North Central Kentucky, the Bluegrass region, and Northeastern Kentucky—the first such warning in nearly a year. Go a little farther west and you'll find yourself in an Ice Storm Warning, which marks the first of its kind since early February 2022.

Bottom line: It’s been a while since we’ve seen a winter storm of this magnitude, and we all need to be prepared. You can view all the current warnings and advisories on the map below, courtesy of the National Weather Service in Louisville. One key takeaway from that image is the NWS's bold statement: "Due to the complexity of this system, expect changes to the forecast today and tomorrow." In the meteorological profession, winter storms are especially tricky to predict. A minor shift in the system’s track can result in major changes to precipitation type and accumulation forecasts. At this moment, the main focus is across the northern half of the state. However, if you're in the advisory area across the southern fringe of counties, you’re not out of the woods yet. Confidence in the forecast is increasing, but we’ll need to continue monitoring for updates.

What can you expect? Instead of going over everything in detail, I thought it would be easier to provide you with links to the latest briefings from your local National Weather Service offices. These links break down potential ice and snow accumulations across the state, providing detailed information for your area.

• Western KY - NWS Paducah, KY

• Central KY - NWS Louisville, KY

• Eastern KY - NWS Jackson, KY

• Northern Bluegrass - NWS Wilmington, OH

• Northeastern KY - NWS Charleston, WV

Quick Summary:

• Timing: Wintry weather will begin breaking out early tomorrow morning across Western Kentucky and quickly spread eastward, not clearing Eastern Kentucky until Monday evening/overnight.

• Ice Accumulations: A quarter to half an inch or more is expected for many within the Ice Storm Warning and Winter Storm Warning areas. That said, some folks in the former could see accumulations approaching three-quarters of an inch. Wind gusts of 20 to 25 mph on Monday could lead to power outages, particularly in these areas. Be sure to have sufficient food and medications on hand, as well as a way to keep devices charged. If using a generator, avoid carbon monoxide poisoning by keeping it at least 20 feet away from the house.

• Snow Totals: The highest snowfall totals are expected across the Northern Bluegrass, with 6-10 inches on the table. Totals will decrease as you head south, with less than an inch expected in the southern tier of counties.

A Few Key Points:

• These forecasts may change as the system’s track shifts slightly, so stay tuned for updates.

• Temperatures below freezing will cause impacts to develop quickly, so it’s best to prepare today and stay off the roads tomorrow.

Looking Ahead:

After the winter storm, the coldest air we’ve seen in quite some time will move in. While temperatures are tricky to predict, expect lows to dip into the single digits and teens each night through Friday. Those with a heavy snowpack could even see temperatures below zero. The livestock cold stress index will reach dangerous and emergency levels for an extended period, so be sure to take precautions. Here’s an article from MG-CAFE Communications in 2022 with helpful tips from UK specialists on how to manage livestock stress.

Stay Safe and Informed:

To help you stay up-to-date, I highly recommend the "Weather Alert" app from the Ag Weather Center. This ad-free app provides daily and hourly forecasts, high-resolution radar that tracks changes in precipitation type, National Weather Service alerts sent directly to your phone, and a link to this update. It's a fantastic tool to keep you informed and safe—without the distractions of annoying ads! I’ve included some screenshots from my phone below to showcase its features. Be sure to check it out by clicking the QR codes below to download the app on both iOS and Google Play platforms. Stay safe, Kentucky!