Timing and amounts are starting to become clear as we near a pretty decent winter storm. Cold, Canadian air and Gulf of Mexico moisture will combine to bring winter weather to a majority of the Central and Southern Appalachians and portions of Kentucky and Tennessee. The storm is so massive, that Saturday morning the rain shield stretched from New Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean and between the Bay of Campeche and the KY/TN State Line.
Timing
Timing on the storm for Kentucky will primarily run through Sunday, A few showers may reach the KY/TN line later this evening, but the majority arrives early Sunday. First, rain and wintry mix showers will creep north into the extreme southern counties. A small round of freezing rain may fall causing some light ice on roadways. As temperatures warm through the morning, what little ice accumulates will melt.
As the storm continues east, rain or mix showers will begin to turn to snow. Not all areas will get snow, but areas that do will get moderate to heavy showers at times. The bulk of the snow will be in the southeast counties near the Cumberland Mountains.
As we cross into Monday, showers will start to slacken off. Still, a wintry mix or snow is still possible in scattered showers mainly in the southeastern counties. These scattered showers will continue into the afternoon and then leave shortly thereafter.
As the storm passes, it will bring the majority of the rain south of us and the majority of the snow in the Central and Southern Appalachians.
Amounts
The biggest impact to travel will be the snow falling in south and southeastern counties. Most will fall in these locations, but even the southeastern Bluegrass and the I-64 corridor east of Lexington will have some minor amounts of snow or mix. The heaviest snow will fall in the extreme southeast and amounts between 2” and 4” are possible. Elevations above 2,000 feet may collect a little more than that. Biggest roads impacted will be the Mountain Parkway, the eastern portion of the Cumberland Parkway, I-75 south of Madison County, and the Hal Rogers Parkway.
Ice will be less common, but still possible as the warm front lifts north and allows some rain to fall into freeing air. The best chance for freezing rain will be early Sunday morning and mainly along the KY/TN state line. Some locations in southeastern counties may receive a little through the day on Sunday as the storm exits east. Amounts will remain minor and generally less than 0.10.” Still roads will be slippery through the day Sunday, regardless of precipitation type.
The majority of the state will be fine for travel on Sunday and Monday. The further south you travel during those days, the higher the threat for roads and travel. Obviously, the biggest impacts will be in the areas that are expecting the most snow. Travel conditions will improve through the day Monday.
Due to the southern and southeastern threat a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY has been issued and will take effect tonight at 8 pm and last through Monday at 4 pm. The counties shaded in blue will have the biggest impacts through the duration of the storm, but keep in mind, that even counties not shaded may experience travel concerns through Sunday and Monday morning.
Remember to download the FREE StormTracker Weather App for all the latest information and updates on the incoming winter storm. The app contains the MaxTrack Live Doppler along with hour-by-hour forecasts for your location.
Stay with the StormTracker Weather Team through the event for more information and a look at how you can better prepare for the winter weather. Your full forecast can be found at theLEX 18 Weather Page. Stay safe out there!
