LEXINGTON, Ky. – NOAA’s Winter 2025–2026 outlook, released Thursday, Oct. 16, shows Kentucky heading for a colder, stormier start to 2026, with frequent snow and ice events possible from January through early March. The Climate Prediction Center’s maps indicate above-normal precipitation and near- to below-normal temperatures statewide — a pattern typical of La Niña winters across the Ohio Valley.
According to the National Weather Service in Louisville, “Kentucky should expect an active winter with multiple storm systems capable of producing snow or freezing rain.” Northern and central areas — including Louisville, Lexington, and Elizabethtown — are likely to see several accumulating snowfalls, while southern regions such as Bowling Green and Somerset may face icy mixes and sleet.
The most active stretch is expected between mid-January and late February, when cold Arctic air and Gulf moisture frequently collide. KYTC officials urge drivers to prepare for slick roads along I-64, I-65, and I-75 during morning commutes. Power outages are also possible when heavy, wet snow or ice builds on trees and lines…