Wintry mix of snow and ice Saturday into Monday; expect hazardous driving conditions

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 3, 2025) – Team Kentucky highway crews are geared up ahead of a forecast winter storm. Significant impacts, including hazardous driving conditions, are expected across much of the state beginning Sunday morning, Jan. 5, and continuing into Monday, Jan. 6. Travel impacts could extend beyond Monday due to ongoing cold temps. Kentuckians are encouraged to avoid non-essential travel, and exercise caution if on the roads by driving distraction-free and slowing down.

“When we receive a warning of significant and impactful weather, we want Kentuckians across the state to be prepared,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “The same way state highway crews have their plans in place, I want to encourage every Kentuckian to do the same by monitoring the weather, avoiding unnecessary travel, and packing an emergency car kit.”

The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts a winter storm will bring a mix of snow, ice and freezing rain across Kentucky with moderate ice accumulations anticipated in portions of the state, especially the north central region. Ice increases the risk of tree damage and power outages, which can further complicate travel and delay emergency response times.

“As this storm has continued to evolve and increase in expected severity, our crews will be relying on the public to avoid unnecessary travel so they can keep roads passable for emergency personnel. The threat of ice will elevate dangerous road conditions and increase the likelihood of downed tree limbs which pose a greater challenge to the state's snowfighting and emergency crews,” said Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray.

KYTC maintains most roads, streets and bridges that are part of the State Highway System, including interstates, parkways, and U.S. route designations. KYTC operates on a four-tier priority system to keep people and commerce moving in the most effective way.

Emergency Car Kit Suggested Items For Drivers

• First aid kit
• Extra coat, gloves, and blankets or sleeping bag
• Non-perishable food and water
• Baby formula, diapers, wipes
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Portable phone chargers
• Pet food, water, leash, bowl
• Medications
• Ice scraper and jumper cables
• Shovel, and a bag of sand or litter

What to Do if Traffic Signals are Not Working:

• Flashing yellow, proceed with caution
• Flashing red, treat as a stop sign
• No signal lights, treat as a 4-way stop

What to Do When a Downed Power Line is on the Roadway:

• Never touch or drive over a fallen power line; report the issue to the power company
• If a power line has fallen on your vehicle, STAY INSIDE, do not exit, and call 911
• Assume all downed power lines are live and DO NOT attempt to move

Visit snowky.ky.gov for snow and ice resources, like priority route maps, tips and highway district updates.