Winter Storm Update

Tonight – Significant Wintry Mix Transitioning To Heavy Snow – Low 20˚

**Winter Storm Warning now in effect for Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Logan, Simpson and Warren Counties until 12pm Monday.**

Heavy rain has been falling across much of the region today. In fact, many locations from Bowling Green north are approaching or have exceeded an inch of rain. Thunder and lightning has even been accompanying some of the heaviest rain.

Meanwhile, temperatures have dropped considerably from the 40s and 50s this morning and have held steady in the low to mid 30s for several hours. With the exception of some parts of Butler County most have remained just above freezing. Temperatures will ever so slowly drop through the afternoon and evening though, allowing all areas to fall below freezing by this evening.

You can see the large shield of precipitation consisting of a variety of wintry precip on the surface model below:

As temperatures fall below the freezing mark, rain will transition to freezing rain. Eventually as the evening progresses into the overnight, more sleet will become mixed in before likely fully transitioning to sleet at some point. After midnight, sleet will begin to mix with and change to snow (across the NW first) and by morning all locations should see generally have precipitation falling as snow. Note that at times precipitation will be heavy and could be accompanied by thunder/lightning. Crazy, right?

As far as accumulations go… things still look on par with earlier forecasts for the most part. Freezing rain will cause a glaze of ice ranging from 0.25″ – 0.75″. As for the sleet and snow combined, areas across the northern half of the area could see 3-6+” while areas in the southern half may see 2-4+”. Note that possibly up to 1-2″ of that combination may be comprised of sleet.

As far as impacts go, ice accretions will be enough to down tree limbs and some power lines in areas, thus resulting in potential power outages.  Northwesterly winds of 15-25+mph will only add to our deteriorating conditions.

Be sure to have an alternate way to stay warm, have batteries for flashlights and radios, and make sure phones are fully charged in preparation for that possibility. Obviously the combination of freezing rain, sleet, and snow will create ice/snow covered roads, making travel dangerous overnight into Monday. Travel is certainly not advised during that time.

Wintry precipitation is anticipated to stick around through around midday tomorrow.  By Monday afternoon, we’ll taper off to flurries and cloudy skies.  Please stay connected to @WarrenCountyWx & @Wx_Or_Not for the latest in real-time weather information.