Although most wintry precipitation has ended in northeast Kentucky, salt truck and plow crews will remain on duty tonight to clear highways across the region.
As of 4:30 p.m., main Priority A routes are clear or becoming clear with isolated slush. Back roads could remain partly covered for several more hours. Air and pavement temperatures are averaging about 25 to 27 degrees.
With freezing rain and scattered snow showers still possible, slick conditions could remain into the evening. Motorists should take it slow during rush hour, and give highway crews room to work as they continue to plow and treat roads in Bath, Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Greenup, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas and Rowan counties.
Crews will remain focused on clearing roads as quickly as possible so Thursday can be spent preparing equipment and materials for the next, stronger winter storm expected early Friday morning through Saturday afternoon. That storm could bring ice and blanket the region with as much as a foot of snow, according to the National Weather Service.
Ice and heavy, wet snow could make it harder to clear roads and could cause downed trees and power outages or other issues. If the storm is severe, roads are likely to remain snow-covered until after snowfall ends Saturday. Motorists should make travel plans accordingly, or consider postponing travel until after the storm passes.
During winter storm operations, Kentucky Department of Highways District 9 crews work 12-hour shifts using more than 20,000 tons of salt and 75 snow plows, salt spreaders and other equipment in Bath, Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Greenup, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas and Rowan counties to keep 2,000 miles of state highways passable.
During any winter weather event, motorists should travel with caution. If travel is necessary, slow down, buckle up and maintain a “space cushion” between vehicles to ensure maneuverability.
Motorists are also reminded to give a wide berth to plows, salt trucks and other snow-clearing equipment. To be effective in dispersing de-icing material, trucks tend to travel at a slower speed. Also, snow plows may create a snow cloud which can cause a white out or zero visibility condition, so keep a safe distance away from the trucks.
(story provided by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet)
