How much snow has KY seen this winter? How much more is forecast? See totals across state
Another winter storm has arrived in Kentucky, and it comes as many parts of the state are recovering from devastating floods and winter weather that has claimed at least 14 lives.
The latest expected snowfall forecast from the National Weather Service in Louisville called for 3 to 6 inches across much of the state, with snow set to taper off beginning midday Wednesday. Lexington received 1.8 inches of snow from the storm, NWS meteorologist Ron Steve told the Herald-Leader Wednesday, adding another inch is possible on top of the snow that fell overnight Tuesday into Wednesday.
Lexington in particular hasn’t seen this much snowfall since the winter of 2022, and preliminary data from the NWS shows the city has recorded nearly three times the amount it saw last winter.
Frigid temperatures are expected to follow the snow, with the NWS warning of subzero wind chills across the state overnight Wednesday.
Here’s a look the latest forecast data for Kentucky, including how much snow we’ve seen across the state this winter.
Lexington
Across Kentucky, and including Fayette County, a winter storm warning is in effect until noon Wednesday, per the NWS Louisville. Heavy snow is expected to fall, with total accumulations between 3 to 6 inches, though some local amounts could be even higher.
Bitter cold weather is expected to follow the storm, including wind chills between 5 degrees Fahrenheit to minus 5 degrees expected, according to a NWS cold weather advisory in effect until at least 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 20. At those wind chills, frostbite can threaten any unprotected skin left exposed for extended periods, the advisory states.
As of Feb. 17, preliminary data provided by NWS meteorologist Brian Neudorff shows Lexington has seen 18.5 inches of snowfall since December. That includes at least 3.8 inches that have fallen in February and 13.1 inches of snow in January. Lexington hasn’t seen this amount of snowfall since 2022, when 18.4 inches fell between December and February. In 2024, the city recorded 6.9 inches during that three-month period.
Jackson
Severe weather isn’t done with Eastern Kentucky, even after floods swept through the region over the weekend and claimed several lives, including three victims in Pike County.
A winter storm warning from the NWS in Jackson is in effect across the region through noon Thursday. It advises total snow accumulations between 3 to 7 inches are possible. The first round of snow is expected to last until midday Wednesday. The second system will move in Wednesday evening and last through Thursday morning.
Between December and Feb. 17, the Jackson area has seen 21.9 inches of snow, according to preliminary monthly climate (CF6) data, per the NWS in Jackson. Most of that fell in January, with a total of 14.8 inches of snow recorded.
Louisville
A flood warning is in effect for the rest of the week until early Sunday, Feb. 23 as heavy rain impacts the Ohio River. The warning affects Meade, Hardin, Jefferson, Floyd, Harrison, Clark, Oldham, Perry, Crawford, Breckinridge and Hancock counties. Drivers are urged to turn around when encountering flooded roads, since most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
A winter storm warning accompanies the flood warning. It remains in effect for Jefferson, Shelby, Franklin, Scott and Bourbon counties until Wednesday at noon. Between 3 to 5 inches of snow is possible.
Preliminary data from the NWS in Louisville shows the city has recorded 19.1 inches of snowfall, including 14.2 inches worth in January.
Western Kentucky
In the Bowling Green area, a winter storm warning is in effect until 11 a.m. Wednesday, with snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches or more possible. Frigid wind chills between 5 to minus 5 degrees are expected to linger until at least Thursday morning, per a cold weather advisory.
From December to Feb. 17, the Southern Kentucky city has received 5.4 inches of snow, preliminary NWS data shows.
In the Paducah area, a flood warning is in effect until further notice, per the NWS in Paducah, with the office advising the Ohio River will remain in minor flood stage there for the rest of the month.
A winter storm warning expired at 9 a.m. Wednesday, with 4 to 7 inches of snow possible during that period. Very cold weather is expected to linger until at least Thursday morning, with an advisory warning of wind chills between 5 to 13 degrees below zero expected.
Paducah has recorded 5.1 inches of snow between December and Feb. 17, according to preliminary NWS data.
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