Ahead of Thursday’s arctic front expected to sweep most of the Commonwealth, Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency Wednesday morning — as a flash freeze, severely cold temperatures and rain switching to snow is expected to complicate travel and home conditions.
According to the National Weather Service, this front is expected to produce wind gusts of 40 to 50 miles an hour Friday, and by Saturday, wind chills could reach anywhere from minus-10 to minus-26.
Other major concerns include the possibility for waterlines to break, power outages to occur, and general damage to impact public infrastructure and private property.
Beshear noted his administration has been in contact with numerous county officials to ensure warming centers are open for residents in need. Kentucky State Parks will also serve as backup warming centers, in case other options aren’t available.
Beshear added that the expected flash freeze is the biggest concern, because it “will lead” to dangerous road conditions — particularly late Thursday afternoon and into early Friday morning.
KYTC Secretary Jim Gray said the state’s fleet of 1,365 state-owned and contracted plow trucks will be available for deployment across Kentucky, while the cabinet has also stockpiled more than 300,000 tons of salt, nearly 1 million gallons of brine for anti-icing efforts, and more than 1 million gallons of calcium chloride — which is an additive needed for deicing.
The National Weather Service has already issued a “Winter Chill Warning” from 6 PM Thursday until noon Friday. Rain will arrive late Thursday, with temperatures falling from the upper 40s to the upper 30s by sundown.
The shift to snow is expected prior to midnight Thursday, with temperatures falling below zero, and the wind chill dipping to minus-20 with gusty winds out of the west northwest.
