Lexington, Kentucky – A late-January arctic cold front is expected to bring a prolonged stretch of colder-than-normal weather to Kentucky, with snow chances increasing across eastern portions of the state as January ends and early February begins.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, the Jan. 24–Feb. 6 outlook favors below-normal temperatures across the Ohio Valley, with precipitation probabilities increasing closer to the central Appalachians. This setup places eastern Kentucky in a more favorable zone for accumulating snow as arctic air interacts with incoming systems.
Eastern Kentucky communities, including Hazard, Pikeville, and Whitesburg, could see one or more snow events during this period, particularly in higher elevations where colder air is more persistent. Snow-covered and icy roads are possible along U.S. 23, the Hal Rogers Parkway, and secondary mountain roads, creating hazardous travel conditions during overnight and early morning hours.
Central Kentucky, including Lexington and Richmond, may see periods of snow or light mixed precipitation depending on storm track, while western Kentucky is expected to remain colder but generally quieter with lower precipitation chances.
Statewide impacts will focus on icy roads, increased heating demand, and the risk of frozen pipes during extended cold spells. Residents in eastern Kentucky are encouraged to prepare for winter travel disruptions and monitor updates closely as storm chances may increase toward the end of the month.
Below-normal temperatures are expected to persist into early February, with additional advisories or alerts possible as the overall pattern becomes clearer.
