Dangerously low temperatures, snow expected in Lexington forecast; UK closes campus
An incoming cold front is expected to bring small snow accumulation and dangerously low wind chill temperatures to Lexington beginning Thursday evening, according to the National Weather Service.
The NWS has issued out a wind chill warning for Fayette County and virtually the entire state in preparation for the storm. The warning begins at 10 p.m. Thursday and lasts until 1 p.m. Friday.
The warning caused the University of Kentucky to close in-person activities for Friday and on-campus employees except Plan B don’t have to report to work. UK HealthCare facilities will remain open.
According to the NWS, temperatures will begin to drop Thursday evening. Wind chill temperatures in Lexington will get down to as low as -28 degrees Fahrenheit. Windy conditions are expected, with gusts up to 40 to 45 miles per hour.
Wind chill temperatures will remain near or below sub-zero until Sunday, the NWS said. Temperatures will not rise above freezing until Tuesday.
Lexington is projected to receive 1 to 2 inches of snow from the storm by Friday night, according to the NWS. It’s expected to rain most of Thursday, and the precipitation will switch to snow between 9 p.m. Thursday and midnight in Lexington.
Areas in Western Kentucky will switch from rain to snow much earlier, as early as 5 p.m., according to the NWS. Wind gusts will accompany the switch in precipitation.
The entire state of Kentucky had been placed under a wind chill warning or a winter storm warning as of Thursday. As of noon Thursday, only the western-most portion of the state was under a winter storm warning, according to the NWS.
The NWS advises people to limit their time outside due to the forecast. Windy conditions raise the risk of hypothermia — warning signs for hypothermia include shivering, confusion, sleepiness, difficulty speaking and stiff muscles, according to the NWS.
WKYT chief meteorologist Chris Bailey’s latest forecast is calling for a winter storm alert. He said the cold temperatures could be life-threatening and it will last into Christmas weekend.
Bailey is projecting 2 to 6 inches of snow in Lexington through Saturday, according to his latest forecast.
The threat of severe winter weather across the state has prompted Gov. Andy Beshear to declare a state of emergency, as Beshear said the winter storm “is going to be dangerous.”
This story was originally published December 22, 2022 at 7:01 AM.
