We’re stuck in a lull in the action for the middle part of the day as we wait on the second round of winter weather. A few flurries or freezing drizzle are still possible through the break, but not adding much to the ground. Road conditions remain hazardous with slushy spots on treated roads, but ice, snow, and sleet sitting on top of untreated roads, bridges, overpasses, turn lanes, and shoulders.
Amounts:
Looking ahead, the latest models are still showing Central Kentucky as the dividing line between heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Counties along the Ohio River still have the best chance for high snow amounts anywhere from 4” to 8” of new snow with 10” possible. Bluegrass, northeast counties, and a line extending down to Bowling Green will be in the transition line. These areas will see all three types of precipitation with the emphasis on sleet. Snow amounts could still reach 2” to 4” with the final wave, but more sleet and even freezing rain is expected. Up to 0.25” of ice is possible in this line, or the one shaded in yellow below.
Ice will be a significant factor for those in the pink area. 0.25” to 0.75” of ice is possible for the Lakes, South-Central, and Eastern Kentucky counties with the majority of precipitation falling as liquid on freezing surfaces. 0.50” to 0.75” of ice can lead to near-impossible road travel (especially areas with changing elevation) and significant power outages.
Light icing is possible for those in our extreme southeastern Kentucky counties. The spine of the Cumberland Mountains and surrounding areas will get around 0.10” of ice. While this is not significant, it can still lead to slippery and dangerous travel, especially in the mountain passes.
Timing:
Wave number 2 will be the more significant of the two and will bring the biggest impact on roads. Timing will have it moving into the Lakes Region and the I-65 corridor around and after noon. By 3:00 p.m. most counties are under the second wave. Snow, sleet, and freezing rain could get heavy at times. Showers are expected to scatter by the evening hours. By the overnight and early morning hours of Tuesday we’re seeing the last of the heavy or moderate precipitation leave Kentucky, and only flurries or drizzle leftover.
Impacts:
Roads will not get better until after the last of the heavier showers leave. Crews will make the treated roads passable quickly, but you can bet that the evening commute tonight and the morning commute tomorrow will be difficult or near impossible. If you have to travel on untreated roads, especially with changing elevation, you should not venture out until Tuesday morning at the earliest. Road conditions will improve through the day tomorrow, but some may stay ice and snow covered through the end of the week.
The ICE STORM WARNING has been expanded to include Fayette County and the Lexington metro. 0.25" to 0.75" of ice possible.
Power outages are also still possible with the second wave. Heavy ice amounts will likely bring down trees, limbs, and power lines through the afternoon and evening. Be prepared for power outages to continue through tomorrow, especially in areas in pink on the graphic up above.
