The region is bracing for a significant winter storm expected to arrive late Saturday night through Monday, followed by an Arctic blast that will keep temperatures below freezing throughout the week. While the exact storm track remains uncertain, residents should prepare for hazardous travel and potential power outages. Here’s the latest from the National Weather Service and details on local snow removal efforts.
The storm, which is part of a larger system sweeping across the central and eastern United States, is expected to bring a messy mix of precipitation to western Kentucky.
Information was gathered from multiple forecasts and outlook messages from the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
According to the projections from Wednesday afternoon, the Owensboro area could see to see:
- Snow accumulation: Northern parts of the city and county may receive significant snow accumulation, with sleet and freezing rain mixing in further south.
- Ice accumulation: Central Owensboro could see substantial ice accumulation, creating the potential for power outages and treacherous roads.
- Travel impacts: Roads will likely become slick and hazardous Sunday into Monday, with lingering issues expected as temperatures remain below freezing for several days.
Behind the storm, Arctic air will settle over the region, with daytime highs struggling to rise above freezing and wind chills dropping below zero by Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. This prolonged cold snap could cause lingering travel disruptions and increase the risk of frostbite and hypothermia for those exposed to the elements.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet began pretreating roads with a salt brine solution on Wednesday. Crews will focus on Priority A routes, including interstates, parkways, and major highways, before moving to lower-priority routes.
View the KYTC snow and ice removal priority routes in Daviess County here.
City of Owensboro crews prioritize approximately 130 miles of primary streets, focusing on routes leading to critical facilities such as hospitals, police and fire stations, and major employers. During heavy snow, all city streets may be cleared.
View the City of Owensboro’s snow and ice removal priority routes here.
Daviess County crews also focus on priority routes, with additional attention given to areas with high traffic or significant safety concerns.
View Daviess County’s snow and ice removal priority routes here.
