Motorists have been advised to limit travel due to the severe conditions
Maria
PADUCAH, KY (January 19, 2022) — The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 1 is advising motorists to avoid unnecessary travel in Kentucky’s 12 westernmost counties during the night hours due to a winter mix followed by up to 2 inches of snow with temperatures falling into the teens. Weather conditions and extreme cold are expected to result in hazardous driving conditions.
The Paducah Office of the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter weather advisory for much of western Kentucky, with a special weather statement likely to be issued for neighboring states.
Rain is expected during the day, with a period of freezing drizzle, freezing rain and sleet beginning in the Paducah area around 5:00 p.m. CST. Winter mix will be followed by up to 2 inches of snow starting around 7 p.m. in the Paducah area.
The rapidly falling temperatures throughout the evening make it likely that elevated surfaces such as bridges and overpasses will ice up fairly quickly. The freezing drizzle, freezing rain, and sleet of the early hours of this winter event will likely limit highway crews’ ability to improve driving conditions once the temperature drops. Salt and other ice-fighting chemicals have minimal effects below about 16 degrees.
In addition to the potential impact on travel, the Paducah area is expecting a low of 14 degrees overnight with winds in the 20 mph range. This will create a single-digit wind chill that poses an additional hazard to travelers. Motorists traveling should wear clothing appropriate to the extreme conditions, carry an appropriate emergency kit and ensure their vehicle is functioning properly to reduce the likelihood of being stranded during the night hours.
The extreme temperatures mean something as simple as a flat tire or dead battery, which are usually an inconvenience and can create a life-threatening situation.
Motorists are reminded to carefully monitor local weather conditions via the regional news media and/or the National Weather Service Paducah Office site www.facebook.com/NWSPaducah. Graphics for this winter weather event can be found here: www.weather.gov/media/pah/DssPacket.pdf
Just as highway crews prepare their gear for snow and ice, they ask you to do the same with your personal vehicle. Visit snowky.ky.gov for a variety of winter travel resources.
To receive traffic updates and warnings by email, please go to public.govdelivery.com/accounts/KYTC/signup/13651 . Click on Kentucky counties that you drive through regularly or one of the specialty corridors that you travel. There is a special group for snow and ice reactions. Be sure to check your SPAM filter to ensure Gov Delivery is on your approved list.
For timely traffic advisories for the 12 counties that make up the KYTC Highway District 1, see www.facebook.com/kytcdistrict1. You do not have to be a Facebook member to access this page.
Navigate traffic around goky.ky.gov, at the waze.com, or with the WAZE app.
