A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until midnight and a Wind Chill Warning until noon Friday as historically cold air and moderate snow moves in.
Rain is transitioning to snow this afternoon across Western Kentucky as the cold front moves through and the National Weather Service in Paducah expects our region to receive two to four inches of snow.
Roads have be pre-treated in many cases, but rain has washed away some of the brine solution and extreme cold makes what’s left over less effective. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray says it will be important to avoid all unnecessary travel until state and local crews have had a chance to make conditions safer.
The bigger story will be the dangerous old, as gusty winds up to 40 mph could carry a wind chill as low as -30. Lows Friday morning will be around -3, the high Friday is likely to remain in single-digits and we won’t see a temperature above freezing again until Tuesday. Frostbite can happen as quickly as 30 minutes and anyone going outside should dress in layers.
Governor Andy Beshear says these conditions can become dangerous quickly and he urges families to check on loved ones who may be vulnerable.
There will be a warming shelter open at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen on East Seventh Street through Sunday night from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m., in addition to the normal shelter and kitchen hours, according to Christian County Emergency Management Director Randy Graham. Coffee Connection on South Main Street will be open from 8 until 3 Friday and Christmas Eve and from 9 until 4 Christmas Day.
In the event of power outages, there will be warming shelters in the Crofton Tornado Safe Room and at the Fairview, Lafayette, Pembroke, Northweast and Westside volunteer fire departments.
Eddyville Baptist Church, Lamasco Baptist Church and Kuttawa Baptist Church are open as warming stations in Lyon County through Friday afternoon.
Warming stations will be open if needed at the 911 center and The Way in Cadiz and Todd County Emergency Management Director Daniel Smith says they are prepared to open warming stations and encourages anyone needing help to contact the dispatch center.
If there are power outages, Kentucky Emergency Management Director Jeremy Clinker says remember to never run a generator indoors, as it could lead to fatal carbon monoxide poisoning.
Clinker reminds residents to also take care of their pets by bringing them inside if at all possible and to provide a place of shelter and supply of unfrozen water to any animals who must remain outdoors.
Stay tuned to the WHOP Family of Stations for the latest on this winter weather system and find a list of closings and cancellations on our websites.