Good Thursday afternoon. While we track clipper snows across the region over the next few days, my focus is on what follows. I continue to think we are heading toward a harsh and prolonged period of winter for much of the country.
The closer we get to next week, the colder it looks as a deep trough settles in. This will likely be accompanied by rounds of accumulating snows that add to the cold weather woes. Temps from Tuesday through Friday may be in the teens for highs with single digit lows possible.
By next weekend into the following week… the polar vortex is going to try to return. The new GFS goes wild with temps…
That would be absolutely brutal if it comes to pass and could cause widespread issues across the country. With the pattern I see taking shape… snow chances will become frequent into February. Buckle up!
Back to the clippers…
Light snow bands come at us in waves with the first this afternoon across central and northern Kentucky. The next arrives later this evening into the overnight and is area-wide. The upper level disturbance swings on on Friday with widespread snows breaking out. Accumulations are a good bet with an inch or two possible for some areas. Other areas get less than 1″. I just can’t pinpoint exactly where because of the showery nature of the snows. Slick roads will be possible.
The next clipper zips in Saturday evening into Sunday morning with another band of light accumulating snows.
Here are some tracking tools…
Current temperatures
I-75 @ Winchester Road Lexington
I-75 @ Iron Works Pike Lexington
I-75 @ Clays Ferry Bridge South Between Lexington and Richmond
US 60 @ US 127 Frankfort
US 127 @ Frankfort Frankfort
I-75 at MP 36 London
I-71/I-75 at Buttermilk Pike Near Covington
I-64 @ 3rd St. Exit Louisville
Downtown Louisville @ 2nd & Broadway Louisville
I-65 @ 234 Near Bowling Green
I-24 MP 4 @ US 60 Paducah
Take care.
Thanks Mr. Bailey lets hope we don’t’ end up with a bunch of half inch snows and get something memorable
Thanks for the update Chris. It is still sunny, but cool here in Irvine. I am loving all this winter weather, even if we don’t get a big snow.At least it really feels like winter.
Sounds like a few areas might get a decent little snow the next couple days, hopefully a widespread thumping coming in when the real cold comes back!
Some counties still don’t have water restored from the last cold shot, certainly don’t need another. Looks like some will just have to be without water the rest of the winter!
Are those temperatures in Celsius or Fahrenheit?
Here we go again a descent band of light snow to the west this morning till noon as sure as shootin when it gets close to central ky it starts to deminish in coverage and intensity. Should be used to it by now.
I don’t want to hear “polar vortex” anymore this winter. Had to take time off work to deal with the issues it caused last week and I can’t afford to keep doing that all winter!
Agreed. It’s tough to deal with. I don’t see how the folks up north put up with below zero temps all winter long. You get used to it after a while i suppose. The problem around here (particularly southeast Ky) the infrastructure is just not set up to handle harsh cold. In example- the ongoing water problems in multiple counties..
Folks up north prepare
Yes, but being prepared doesn’t make it any more pleasant. The snows, I would love, but not the bitter cold that goes with it there.
I think Covington must be the snowiest city in Kentucky. Seems like everytime CB posts the traffic cams Covington is covered up with it.
A little sugar coating is about all frankfort got out of this first dying batch of snow showers, maybe a little heavier with the next round tonight??
I saw about 10 flakes yesterday afternoon and thats been it here in Lincoln county. Sure wish some of that snow would make its way here.
There was more than that in Crab Orchard.
There wasnt at my house.
we need to just pray that the COLD POLARVORTEX goes away.
if it takes that top get a big storm, NO TAANKS. bring on SPRRRRRRRRRRRRING
Very much agreed.
The stage certainly seems set for a prolonged period of harsh winter weather. Joe Bastardi and, as of last night, DT have both noted the ridge in central Russia and the ridge in Alaska may connect over the top and lock in the Siberian cold for an extended period. Bastardi calls it Cahir’s Connection after a college professor and DT said this was the scenario that caused January 1977 to be so brutally cold.
Here’s the question, though? Will there be a major storm that accompanies this blast? If so, we could have snow on the ground for a long time. I wasn’t born until later in March of 1977 so I have no idea if a lot of snow accompanied that brutal month of January. However, it would seem odd to have a second major shot of Siberian air cross the pole and not have a big storm rumble through our area.
Right now though, the subtropical jet isn’t very active and it hasn’t been for much of the winter. And even it the moisture does appear, will the cold force the storm track too far to the South? That’s where my attention will be aimed. Otherwise, we may have to make due with clippers that over perform.
I’m with you, Robbie. COLD without snow is no fun. I would think a prolonged period of cold should bring more than clippers but who knows?
I will say this: The cold and snow I’ve had in my back yard this winter has been more “impressive” than many winters the past 25 years. I’ve had about ten total inches and below zero temps so far. This upcoming cold (and hopefully snow) could make this a very memorable winter. I’m old enough to remember the winters of ’77 and ’78.
We need to raise the “Bread & Milk Alert” to a 3
Left out of the snow again it seems
Chris Bailey rocks! While the NWS offices had ZERO predictions of these rounds of snow showers early this week, Chris was out on the limb predicting them and bitter cold coming back.
Ignore the doubters, Mr. Bailey! You’re the best!
Hilarious to watch how this snow band disintegrated by the second the further east it went.
Depressing seeing it be rain in the southern tier of states but that is the norm
Had about 1/2″ up here today so far in Northern KY (Florence-Burlington-Union area). Seasonal total is about 18-19″ so far. ;-P
Congrats Kris season total for me 1.5 inches
Total of 4″ at my house.
This winter total
On my third dry slot of the day in Frankfort, just can’t seem to get a good snow band to stay intact in my hood!
That is just stupid cold. I hope the GFS has the flu or something, and moderates by next week.
Christhanks for all you do you are right on more than anybody that predicts the weather. Keep up the good work.!!