Louisville, Kentucky – An increasingly active winter pattern may take shape across the Ohio Valley late next week, with rain and snow chances rising to around 50 percent between Jan 20 and Jan 26. The evolving setup supports multiple rounds of precipitation, with temperature swings keeping much of the region in a rain-snow transition zone.
According to the National Weather Service and the Climate Prediction Center, the Ohio Valley is now highlighted for a 50 percent chance of above-normal precipitation during the 8–14 day period. Temperature signals during that same window suggest near-seasonal variability, meaning precipitation type will likely depend on timing, elevation, and storm track.
Areas across southern Ohio, central and southern Indiana, and northern Kentucky could see rain during milder daytime periods, especially ahead of passing systems. As colder air moves in behind those systems, rain may transition to snow or a rain-snow mix, particularly overnight and during early morning hours.
Northern portions of the Ohio Valley, including parts of Ohio and northern Indiana, may lean more toward snow during colder windows, while southern sections closer to the Tennessee border are more likely to remain rain-dominant. Even so, brief snow or mixed precipitation cannot be ruled out region-wide if colder air arrives quickly.
Repeated precipitation events could lead to slick travel conditions, especially during commute hours on major corridors such as I-64, I-65, I-70, I-71, and I-75. Ponding is possible where rain falls before temperatures drop, followed by icy patches if colder air arrives overnight.
Residents should prepare for changing road conditions, monitor updated outlooks, and stay alert for potential winter weather advisories. Confidence in timing and specific impacts will improve as the period approaches, and additional alerts may be issued as individual systems become better defined.
