Brutal cold settles in with wind chills and weekend snow chances
Cold Front Brings a Wintry Punch to the Region
The day began on a soggy note as a cold front pushed through the area, bringing widespread rain during the morning hours. As the front continued east, colder air quickly followed behind it. Once that colder air collided with leftover moisture from earlier rain, conditions flipped fast — rain changed over to snow across parts of the region.
Several snow showers moved through during the afternoon and evening, and a few of those bands briefly became heavy. Gusty northwest winds helped reduce visibility at times, making it feel downright wintry for a stretch. While most snow struggled to stick to roads due to earlier mild ground temperatures, grassy and elevated surfaces did pick up light coatings in spots, especially across portions of the Bluegrass region.
Bitter Cold Tonight as Snow Showers Wind Down
As we head through the overnight hours, lingering snow showers will gradually push east and out of the area. While precipitation comes to an end, the cold is just getting started.
Temperatures will tumble into the teens by Thursday morning, and with strong northwest winds continuing overnight, it will feel even colder. Wind chill values are expected to dip into the single digits in many locations. Gusts of 30 to 40 mph will remain possible, helping to dry roads but also adding to that biting cold feel outside.
Thursday Stays Cold but Quiet
Thursday will be a dry day, but it will not be a warm one. Cold air remains firmly in place behind the front, keeping afternoon highs mainly in the 20s, with some locations struggling to climb above freezing at all.
Despite the cold, sunshine will return as we sit between weather systems. Even with bright skies, brisk winds will keep wind chills in the teens throughout the day, so winter gear will be a must if you’re spending time outdoors.
Brief Break Before the Next System Arrives
By Friday, temperatures will begin to rebound slightly, with highs climbing into the upper 30s and even some low 40s. That warming will be short-lived, however.
Another system is set to move in Friday night through the weekend, bringing additional chances for snow showers. At this time, snow amounts look light, but minor accumulations are possible. Gusty winds could again play a role, especially if snow showers become briefly heavier.
Cold Pattern Continues Into the Weekend and Beyond
Looking ahead to the weekend and early next week, the overall pattern remains cold and active. While there may be brief moderation at times, temperatures will stay below average for mid-January. Additional disturbances could move through, keeping occasional snow chances in the forecast and reinforcing the colder air across the Ohio Valley.
As always with systems several days out, details will continue to change, so it’s important to keep checking back for updates.
ABC 36 Weather Team 36-Hour Forecast
Wednesday Night: Snow showers taper off during the evening with skies gradually clearing late. Very cold overnight with lows dropping into the teens. Northwest winds remain gusty, making it feel like the single digits at times.
Thursday: Dry but frigid. Mostly sunny skies with highs only reaching the mid to upper 20s. Winds stay breezy, keeping wind chills in the teens through the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Clear and cold once again. Temperatures fall back into the teens overnight with lighter winds compared to the previous night, but still a sharp winter chill heading into Friday morning.
