Pikeville, Kentucky – Slushy roads and sudden whiteout bursts could make travel dangerous across eastern Kentucky through the night, with mountain communities facing the greatest risk as temperatures fall and snow showers continue.
According to the National Weather Service in Jackson, Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect across parts of southeast and northeast Kentucky through late tonight and Tuesday morning. Pike, Harlan and Letcher counties are under the advisory until 8 a.m. EDT Tuesday, while Bell, Floyd, Knott, Perry, Leslie and Martin counties remain under the alert until 2 a.m. Snow is expected through early evening, followed by snow showers and squalls overnight. Most areas could pick up 1 to 3 inches, with 1 to 2 inches common elsewhere and locally higher totals on ridges above 1,500 feet. Wind gusts may reach 30 mph, and visibility could drop to a quarter mile or less in heavier bursts.
The widest impact will stretch from Pikeville and South Williamson to Hazard, Hindman, Prestonsburg, Whitesburg and Harlan, where slush-covered roads may turn more hazardous after dark. Higher terrain in Letcher, Harlan, Perry and Knott counties will likely see the worst travel, especially on winding secondary roads, bridge decks and exposed mountain routes. In Pike County, persistent snow showers could leave isolated pockets of deeper accumulation by daybreak.
Drivers are urged to slow down, allow extra stopping distance and check GoKy road conditions before heading out. Advisories remain in effect into Tuesday morning, and more slick spots could develop before temperatures recover.
