Hazard, Kentucky – A surge of Arctic air is expected to move into eastern Kentucky between Jan. 18 and Jan. 22, bringing a pronounced shift toward colder-than-normal temperatures as a clipper system reinforces a broader pattern change across the eastern United States.
According to the Climate Prediction Center’s 6–10 day temperature outlook, eastern Kentucky is favored to experience below-normal temperatures during this period as a deep upper-level trough settles over the East. This colder pattern follows the breakdown of a recent mild stretch, driven by strong ridging across the western U.S. and Alaska that allows Arctic air to press southward into the Ohio Valley and central Appalachians.
Daytime high temperatures are expected to run several degrees below mid-January averages, while overnight lows drop sharply across valleys and higher elevations. The coldest conditions are most likely across ridge tops and sheltered hollows, where increasing winds behind the clipper system could drive noticeably colder wind chills, particularly overnight and during early morning hours.
Through Jan. 22, precipitation chances are expected to remain near normal for this time of year, with no strong signal for widespread snowfall during the core cold window. Forecast guidance suggests the incoming Arctic air mass will be relatively dry, limiting snow potential unless additional moisture becomes available.
Looking beyond the immediate cold stretch, forecast outlooks indicate a 20% to 40% risk of heavy snow sometime during the Jan. 20–26 timeframe across portions of the Appalachian region, including eastern Kentucky. While confidence in exact timing and placement remains limited, the colder pattern could support more impactful snowfall if storm systems track through the region.
For eastern Kentucky commuters, students, and outdoor workers, the primary concern through Jan. 22 will be prolonged cold exposure, with increased attention needed for potential snow impacts later in the period, particularly in higher terrain.
