The initial wave of winter weather has already turned roads in the area over to hazardous. Snow amounts ranged primarily between 1” to 2” for most areas that have picked it up. Road that are not treated are collecting snow and keeping it. Roads that are being treated are slushy at best, but still very slippery.
The first wave has almost wrapped up for us, with the main area of precipitation leaving the northeastern counties. Flurries, or light freezing drizzle and sleet still possible, but not adding much to the ground totals. Moving through the late morning and middle part of the day, things remain quiet and road crews will have a good break to help area roads become drive-able. If you venture out, remember that only treated roads will be improving. Others will consist of ice and snow leading to hazardous travel conditions.
Into the early and mid-afternoon, snow, sleet, and freezing rain will move back in with the second wave. This will be the “main show” of the storm. Heavier precipitation rates are expected and will begin to add to ground totals again. An additional 4” to 6” of snow possible for sections of the Bluegrass, I-64 to Louisville, and I-75 to Cincinnati. 0.25” to 0.75” of ice is possible for a line extending from Lake Cumberland to Ashland, KY. Several counties on wither side of that line will experience a mixture of snow, sleet, and freezing rain. These areas have the highest chance for power outages and impossible travel. Further southeast, ice amounts will be less.
Timing on the second wave will begin in the early afternoon for south-central and Lakes Region counties. Eventually, this wave will bleed north into the Bluegrass through the mid-afternoon, and Eastern Kentucky through the evening hours. Precipitation becomes scattered late tonight and tomorrow morning wrapping up very early Tuesday. Some lingering flurries and drizzle showers possible through the day Tuesday.
Travel will be near impossible for areas inside of the ICE STORM WARNING area, especially the spots getting near that 0.75” of ice. Snow will still cause impacted roads and travel will still be dangerous. Bottom line, if you don’t need to be out on roads this evening or tomorrow morning, stay in and allow road crews to clear roads before venturing out Tuesday.
