Motorists advised to avoid travel Wednesday night and Thursday
PADUCAH, Ky. (Feb. 1, 2022) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 1 Snow and Ice Team is advising the public to avoid travel Wednesday evening into Friday due to the potential for accumulating ice, sleet, and snow.
The National Weather Service has expanded a Winter Storm Warning for the region due to the potential for accumulating ice from about 6 p.m., Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. About 4/10ths of an inch of accumulated ice is expected at Paducah with additional accumulations of sleet and snow to follow.
KYTC District 1 Highway Crews are preparing for what is likely to be some significant ice accumulation that will make travel difficult well into Friday.
This winter event will be preceded by heavy rain starting Tuesday night and continuing through the day Wednesday. The rain will prohibit pre-treating of area highways in advance of the approaching winter system.
KYTC District 1 Chief Engineer Kyle Poat reminds travelers that any ice accumulation will create significant travel issues and limit the ability of highway crews to improve driving conditions.
“When we are asked for advice for driving on ice, our number one tip is don’t,” Poat said. “Even minor ice accumulations of ice and sleet can create major travel issues. If you feel you have to get to work, your best option will be to take a sleeping bag and plan to stay on the couch of a friend who lives near your worksite. Please plan ahead and avoid travel during this ice event.”
Poat also noted that anyone planning cross-country travel should be aware that heavier ice, sleet, and snow accumulations are expected to the north and west.
With areas of freezing rain and sleet developing over the region, the National Weather Service (NWS) Paducah suggests that driving conditions could deteriorate fairly quickly – some downed trees and power outages are possible.
The KYTC District 1 Snow and ice team will be carefully monitoring the approaching winter system. They ask that you do the same.
Please maintain a high level of awareness by monitoring area news media outlets for forecast updates. The updated forecast for Kentucky’s 12 westernmost counties can be found on the National Weather Service Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/NWSPaducah or you can access an updated graphic forecast at https://www.weather.gov/media/pah/DssPacket.pdf.
To get traffic advisories and alerts for KYTC District 1 counties via email please go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/KYTC/signup/13651 and click on the District 1 counties you regularly drive through, or for any of the specialty corridors you travel. Be sure to check your SPAM filtering to assure Gov Delivery is on your approved list.
Timely traffic advisories for the 12 counties of KYTC Highway District 1 are available by going to www.facebook.com/kytcdistrict1. You do not have to be a Facebook member to access this page.
Navigate traffic at goky.ky.gov, at waze.com, or with the WAZE App.