Good Monday to one and all. As you can see from the blog title… we have moved into WINTER STORM ALERT mode for Monday night through Wednesday as a major winter storm takes aim at the state. Before we get to that… some folks have been getting in on some decent snow since Sunday afternoon.

Many areas across the northern half of the state have picked up an inch or two of snow already causing roads to become snow covered and slick. This has forced a ton of school closings and delays today. As of this writing… I have picked up around 2″ of the white stuff where I live. Radar continues to show light to moderate snow bands working across parts of the state…



These snow bands will try to work farther south into early Monday where a coating to perhaps an inch will be possible south of I-64. To the north… another inch or so may fall to bring some local totals toward 3″ from the little system that could!

Take a look at some of the live cams from across the area…

Cynthiana


Lexington


I- 75 Northern Ky
Kentucky: I-71/I-75 at U.S. 42

Ashland



This brings us to the developing winter storm that moves in overnight and stays with us through Wednesday. A WINTER STORM WATCH is in effect for the entire state…



This will likely be upgraded to a WARNING very soon for significant snow and ice accumulation across most of the state. This is going to have a significant impact on Kentucky so residents need to start doing whatever it is you need to be doing to get ready for this storm. Travel from late tonight through Wednesday is not recommended due to the extensive snow and ice build up we are likely to see.

Before I give you my take on it… here is what the latest models are showing in terms of snow. These maps are color coded to represent snowfall totals and nothing else…

NAM


The NAM shows a crippling snowstorm for the entire state. The light green is 4″ the white is 6″-8″ while the blue to light blue is 8″-12″. I am not saying it’s right… just giving you the map.

The GFS has much more sleet and freezing rain falling across the region than does the NAM so the snow totals are quite a bit lighter than what the NAM is showing…

GFS


Both models are becoming more bullish of the second wave bringing heavier snow farther south from Tuesday night into Wednesday. What are my thoughts on what those maps show? Well… I am more of a mix of the two. I will say that I do not agree with the seperation of the waves that is being shown by the GFS!

Here are some maps I have put together for the entire event. These are just a rough draft on my part and are sure to change with future updates…







I will continue to get more specific with future updates later today. The blog will be your source for the latest developments on this major winter storm that is poised to slam the state over the next few days.

I will have updates as needed through the day. Take care.