A Major Winter Storm Is Impacting Central and Eastern Kentucky Snow has been falling steadily across much of the area today, and while some western locations are currently seeing a brief lull, this is far from over. Additional rounds of heavy precipitation are expected to fill back in as we head th rough the evening and overnight hours. Road conditions have already turned hazardous this afternoon, and they will only continue to deteriorate as we move deeper into the weekend. This storm is bringing a wide range of impacts across the viewing area, including heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain, and dangerous cold that will linger well after the precipitation ends. Heavy Snow Continues, With Ice Becoming a Bigger Concern Tonight Across the Bluegrass region and areas north, snowfall remains the dominant precipitation type, with heavy bands expected at times. These bands may produce snowfall rates of an inch per hour or more overnight, leading to rapidly deteriorating travel conditions. Visibility will be reduced at times, especially where heavier snow bands set up. Farther south, especially near and south of the Parkways, warmer air a few thousand feet above the ground is beginning to work its way into the region. This is causing snow to transition to sleet and freezing rain, increasing the threat for significant ice accumulation as the night goes on. Expected Snow and Ice Totals Across the Region Snowfall and ice totals will vary significantly from north to south, depending on how much sleet and freezing rain mixes in. Northern Kentucky: Snow totals of 10 to 12 inches, with locally higher amounts possible farther north. Bluegrass region:Snow totals of 6 to 8 inches, with locally higher amounts of 9 inches +. Central Kentucky (including Richmond, Danville, Mount Vernon):Around 4 to 8 inches of snow. Southern Kentucky:Snow amounts drop off to 2 to 4 inches, but this is where ice becomes the main concern. Because of the sharp transition zone between snow and ice, totals could shift north or south slightly as the storm evolves. Sunday Brings a Messy Mix and Major Travel Impacts As we head into Sunday, much of the southern half of the viewing area will transition from snow to sleet and freezing rain. This changeover is driven by a wedge of warm air aloft that melts falling snow before it refreezes near the surface. Ice accumulations could reach 0.50 inches or more in parts of southern Kentucky, especially near the Lake Cumberland region. Around Lexington, ice amounts may range from a light glaze up to around 0.25 inches. When it comes to ice accumulation, anything over 0.50 inches of ice accumulations is where you start to see issues with power outages, tree limbs breaking causing a lot of issues as well as making travel nearly impossible. This setup is particularly concerning because freezing rain is highly efficient at creating dangerous travel conditions. Even small amounts of ice can make roads, bridges, and sidewalks extremely slick, while heavier icing can lead to power outages and tree damage. No matter where you live, this storm will be disruptive. Travel will become extremely hazardous, and conditions may be dangerous for extended periods of time. Focus on Impacts, Not Just Snow Totals This is not a storm to fixate on specific snowfall numbers. The main message with this system is impact. Whether you experience heavy snow in the north or a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain farther south, travel conditions will be poor to dangerous across the entire area. If you have weekend plans, the safest option is to postpone them. Staying off the roads will help keep you safe and allow road crews to focus on clearing and treating primary routes. Bitter Cold Follows the Storm Early Next Week Even after the winter storm pulls out Monday morning, the impacts will not be over. Arctic air will surge into the region, keeping temperatures extremely cold. High temperatures today and Sunday will remain in the teens, with wind chills making it feel even colder. Monday night into Tuesday morning is expected to be the coldest period so far this winter, with overnight lows dropping into the single digits or below zero. Wind chills could fall well below zero, making it dangerous to be outside for prolonged periods of time. Stay with the ABC 36 Storm Team as we continue to track this high-impact winter storm and the dangerous cold that follows. Further updates will be issued as conditions evolve. Categories: Featured, Local Weather Headlines, Storm Team Weather Blog, Weather, Weather Forecast Tags: ABC 36 Weather, Arctic air Kentucky, Bluegrass winter weather, Central Kentucky snow, Eastern Kentucky ice storm, Kentucky cold weather, Kentucky snow and ice, Kentucky travel impacts, Kentucky weather forecast, Kentucky winter storm, Lexington KY winter weather, Winter Storm Warning Kentucky ...read more read less