KENTUCKY — Kentucky school districts may face delays or closures this week as another round of winter weather moves toward the Ohio Valley, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters say that as one winter storm exits the Midwest and Great Lakes, another system is quickly developing and will spread precipitation across the Central Plains, Mississippi Valley, and Ohio Valley beginning Monday. With cold air firmly in place across much of the eastern and central United States, the incoming system is expected to bring a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain to portions of Kentucky.
The National Weather Service reports that a deep trough moving eastward will merge Gulf moisture with colder northern air, setting the stage for wintry conditions in states along the Ohio Valley.
This includes the possibility of snow and icing over the Central and Southern Appalachians, a region that often influences weather patterns in eastern Kentucky. Higher elevations could see light to moderate freezing rain, raising concerns for hazardous travel.
Winter Weather Advisories have already been issued across parts of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes as the system develops, and meteorologists warn that as it shifts east, Kentucky could see similar disruptions.
Local officials often close schools when travel becomes dangerous, especially in rural areas with mountainous bus routes. With temperatures expected to remain well below normal—many areas seeing highs only in the 20s, 30s, and 40s—the threat of ice lingering on untreated roads may extend any school impacts into midweek.
Forecasters say widespread showers and storms will develop along the East Coast Monday into Tuesday, while snow chances increase across the Appalachians and interior Mid-Atlantic. Kentucky sits at the transition zone between rain and wintry precipitation, making the exact timing and amounts uncertain but still concerning for school operations.
Families should monitor local forecasts and district announcements as conditions evolve. Many school districts across the Ohio Valley historically move quickly to delay or cancel classes when snow or ice is expected, especially during early morning hours.
