Are you ready for cold weather? It’s coming our way this weekend with lows down in the single digits so now is the time to start preparing for the extreme cold.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has released information to help motorists prepare for the extreme cold and any winter precipitation that may follow.
KYTC Spokesperson Keith Todd says that the most important tip is to put together an emergency kit for your vehicle. Kits should include a blanket and other supplies that will be useful if you get stuck, like flashlights, first-aid kit, road flares, and de-icer. Even if you’re planning to just make a 10 minute trip to the grocery, it’s better to be prepared, just in case you run off the road, get stuck, or your car breaks down.
Todd notes that the KYTC District 2 Snow and Ice Team is monitoring the approaching winter system. Due to rain expected before the transition to frozen precipitation Saturday night, highway crews are not likely to be able to pre-treat highways. Todd adds that salt and other ice-fighting chemicals have minimal impact below about 15 degrees, which can severely limit the ability of highway crews to improve driving conditions when temperatures fall below that. Winds within the system this weekend are also likely to limit visibility on the road.
The National Weather Service Paducah Office has updated the timeline of weather and hazards for this weekend. NWS indicates we should expect locally heavy rain Saturday morning transitioning to snow and gusty northerly winds from northwest to southeast during the afternoon and early evening hours. Travel Saturday afternoon and evening could be difficult with snow accumulations, reduced visibility from blowing snow, and black ice. Much colder conditions are expected Sunday into Monday.
For more information on how to prepare for the life-threatening cold that is coming our way, you can visit ready.gov/winter-weather.
(Story By Audrey Lamb/WPKY)
