Tuesday morning’s commute could be icy

Lexington and state road crews are bracing for an overnight storm system that could dump freezing drizzle and some snow on the region, making for a possible messy and slick Tuesday morning commute.

WKYT-27 Meteorologist Chris Johnson said temperatures are expected to drop throughout Monday night and into Tuesday morning to 30 degrees. Showers could start anywhere from 5 a.m. to 9 am. Snow totals will range from a slight dusting to up to 1 inch in some areas in central and eastern Kentucky by Tuesday night.

Lexington road crews began pre-treating bridges, hills and other busy roads Monday, Lexington city officials said. Additional salt trucks may be called in if necessary. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials said crews also began salting roads Monday.

Saturday evening’s freezing drizzle and light dusting of snow caused more than 200 accidents in Fayette County, Lexington police said.

Lexington police Lt. Richard Willoby said Saturday police had responded to 223 non-injury collisions and 23 collisions with injuries between 7 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Lisa Deffendall, a spokeswoman for Fayette County Public Schools, said the school typically makes a determination on whether to delay or close school no later than 5:30 a.m. School officials start checking road conditions at 2:30 a.m. Those crews then report back to Superintendent Manny Caulk. That decision is also made in consultation with meteorologists and the city’s streets and roads department. The goal is to have the decision made by 5 p.m. and notifications to begin at 5:30 a.m., Deffendall said.

“Please remember that conditions vary throughout the community,” Deffendall said. “One end of the county may be clear while other areas remain treacherous. With student safety as the guiding priority, FCPS makes decision based on what’s best for the whole community.”

Lexington residents can get information on accidents, lane blockages and trouble spots on the city’s Twitter account @lexwrecks and @lexkypolice. Traffic cameras that capture real-time problems can be viewed at www.lexingtonky.gov/traffic

To check on Fayette County School delays or closures go Spectrum cable channel 197, the FCPS website, its Facebook page or on Twitter @ItsAboutKidsFC. Closures and delays are also sent to the local news media.

This story was originally published December 11, 2017 at 6:13 PM with the headline "Tuesday morning’s commute could be icy."