Weather
Eastern Kentucky Thanksgiving Weather Alert: Snow, Ice Possible
Pikeville, KY – Eastern Kentucky residents preparing for Thanksgiving and Black Friday travel could encounter unsettled weather November 22 28, with rain, mountain snow and potentially freezing rain a
By Grant Holloway · 2026-11-14T23:13:18.613Z
Pikeville, KY – Eastern Kentucky residents preparing for Thanksgiving and Black Friday travel could encounter unsettled weather November 22 28, with rain, mountain snow and potentially freezing rain among the possibilities as the holiday period approaches.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's NOAA Climate Prediction Center, eight to 14 day outlooks issued Saturday, November 14, favor above normal precipitation across eastern Kentucky during Thanksgiving week.
The precipitation outlook indicates approximately a 33% to 40% probability of above normal precipitation across portions of eastern Kentucky, suggesting a modest tilt toward wetter than average conditions.
Western Kentucky, meanwhile, has a weaker precipitation signal, with conditions closer to near normal.
These probabilities describe precipitation totals over the forecast period, not the likelihood of rain or snow on a particular day.
Could Eastern Kentucky See Snow or Freezing Rain?
Despite a generally milder temperature outlook across the region, snow remains possible, particularly in the higher elevations of the Appalachian Mountains.
Communities including Pikeville, Hazard, Whitesburg, Prestonsburg and Harlan could experience rain during warmer periods, while snow or freezing rain would depend on the arrival of colder air and the timing of precipitation.
Higher elevations may experience wintry precipitation even when lower valleys remain warm enough for rain.
However, NOAA's extended outlook does not specifically forecast snowfall, ice accumulation or a winter storm.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday Travel Outlook
Thanksgiving falls Thursday, November 26, followed by Black Friday on November 27.
Drivers traveling U.S. Route 23, U.S. Route 119, Kentucky Route 15 and Interstate 64 should monitor updated forecasts as holiday traffic increases.
Rain could create wet roads and reduced visibility, while snow or freezing rain could make mountain roads and elevated routes slippery if colder conditions develop.
No specific hazardous travel period has been identified.
More detailed forecasts should clarify precipitation types, storm timing and potential travel impacts as Thanksgiving approaches.
For now, eastern Kentucky faces a potentially wetter holiday period, with mountain snow and icy conditions remaining possibilities worth monitoring.