We start the morning with winter precipitation falling, but not necessarily making it all the way down to the surface. As we continue through the morning, light freezing drizzle or snow showers will continue for counties in the Bluegrass and Northern Kentucky. Up to an inch of snow accumulation is possible for counties north of I-64 through late morning. Showers will begin to wrap up, save for the occasional freezing drizzle or flurries through the rest of today and overnight. The next (and more important) feature is the midweek winter storm. This one will have the potential to create hazardous driving and power outages.
First, we’ll talk timing. Wednesday morning into the afternoon will be relatively quiet. Cloudy and cold conditions can be expected. Starting Wednesday mid-afternoon, wintry mix showers will begin, scattered at first. As we progress into the evening and overnight, mix showers become more widespread. Mix showers will continue overnight and through the day Thursday. Precipitation rates will begin to drop overnight into Friday from the northwest to southeast. The freezing line will be roughly parallel to just south of the Bluegrass Parkway, and I-64. Areas around these arteries will have the best chance for freezing rain and accumulations. North of that boundary will be a mix, but more snow with accumulations expected. South of that line will consist of a mix, but more cold rain onto above freezing surfaces. Sleet will also be a factor. Bottom line, hazardous roads are an almost certainty as of this point from the Cumberland and Hal Rogers Parkways north from Wednesday night through Friday morning, at least.
Ice accumulations look to run from 0.10” up to 0.50” for areas around the Bluegrass Pkwy. and south to the two southern parkways. This amount of ice runs in the disruptive to hazardous category with damage to trees and power lines possible leading to sporadic or scattered power outages. Roads will be icy and hazardous for travel as well. Snow amounts along and north of I-64 will run in the 1” to 3” range also creating hazardous driving conditions. It’s a good chance where you are Wednesday evening is where you’ll need to stay put through Friday morning. Prepare for an extended time with potentially no power. Have a plan with family member and have a way to receive weather information during a loss of power. Cold temperatures remain in place into the weekend with more winter weather expected.
A WINTER STORM WATCH has been issued and will be in effect Tuesday evening through Friday morning:
