Paducah, Kentucky – A prolonged stretch of bitter cold is settling into western Kentucky, bringing dangerous wind chills and renewed travel concerns across the Paducah area and surrounding roadways over the next several days.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, wind chill values will remain in the single digits and teens much of the time through early next week, with the coldest conditions arriving late Saturday night into Sunday morning. During that period, wind chills are expected to drop near zero across much of the region, making prolonged outdoor exposure hazardous.
Travel impacts will be driven primarily by the cold. Motorists along I-24, US-60, and US-62 should be alert for refreezing on bridges, overpasses, and shaded roadways during overnight and early morning hours. Even minor moisture can turn slick quickly as temperatures fall into the teens. Drivers are urged to slow down and keep extra distance, especially during the pre-dawn commute.
A chance for light snow exists late Thursday night into early Friday, mainly north of I-64 toward the Evansville tri-state area. Accumulations are expected to be minimal, with little to no widespread travel impact, though a brief dusting on untreated surfaces is possible.
Cold conditions will persist into early next week, with another round of near-zero wind chills possible early Tuesday. Additional cold weather advisories may be issued as the pattern continues.
