Heavy Snow in Kentucky, February 3 to 6, 1998

Name: Heavy Snow in Kentucky, February 3 to 6, 1998
Start: 1998-02-03T18:00
End: 1998-02-06T08:00
Location: Kentucky

February 3 to 6, 1998 · NWS LMK · 48 events in 48 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 48 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 3
Injuries: 4
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 48

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS LMK wrote it up.

A freak winter storm dumped as much as 25 inches of snow on parts of Kentucky from the evening of February 3 to the morning of February 6. Most of the Kentucky counties were declared states of emergency by the morning of February 5 as trees and power lines were down across a large area of the Louisville County Warning Area and roads became snow covered, slick, hazardous and in some remote places inpassable. Over the three days, 3 people were killed and four injured across the Louisville CWA. One four year old boy was killed and 4 injured in a multi-car pileup on Interstate 65 in Louisville. A 71 year old man in Louisville was run crushed by his own truck as he and another man tried to free it from a snow drift. Also, a 35 year old man was killed in a traffic accident in Taylorsville. The storm system took a typical winter time path from the Gulf Coast and northeast along the Atlantic coast. However, due to the strength of the system and its slow movement, enough deep layered moisture was pulled into the system from the Atlantic Ocean, that the moisture was able to negotiate the Appalacian Mountains bringing heavy snows much further west than typical "nor'easters". The initial heavy snows started on the evening of February 3 in the southeast parts of the Louisville CWA and then spread north reaching the Louisville metropolitan area by shortly before sunrise on February 4. By 7 am est February 4, an area of 10 plus inch accumulations spread from Adair county northeast into Clark county and by 7 pm est, 10 plus accumulation totals stretched all the way to the Ohio River. By the afternoon of February 5, most of the heavy snow was confined to an area north of a Lexington to Louisville line. Snowfall depths as of the afternoon of February 6 ranged from 4 inches across southwest portions of the Louisville CWA (Cumberland, Logan, and Simpson counties) to as much as 25 inches at New Castle in Henry county. However, these numbers were lower than the actual snowfall amounts due to packing and some melting. 36 of the 49 counties in the Kentucky portion of the Louisville CWA had at least 10 total inches of snow on the ground at this time. Louisville had an all-time storm total snowfall of 22.4 inches eclipsing the old record (15.9 inches on January 16-17, 1994) by an astonishing 6.5 inches. From the evening of February 5 until daybreak February 6, parts of Oldham county had an addition 11 inches of new snow on the ground. Highest snowfall amounts were in the central and north parts of the state where anywhere from 12 to to near 30 inches of snow was reported over the entire period. Areas well to the southwest of Louisville generally ranged from 5 to 10 inches of total snow. The system finally winded down during the day Friday as the responsible low pressure system lifted northeast further out to sea.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

48 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Snow, Clinton

When: February 3, 6:00 PM EST to February 5, 5:00 AM EST
Where: Clinton forecast zone
Coordinates: 36.728, -85.136 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Cumberland

When: February 3, 6:00 PM EST to February 5, 5:00 AM EST
Where: Cumberland forecast zone
Coordinates: 36.787, -85.388 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Adair

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 5, 7:00 AM EST
Where: Adair forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.104, -85.281 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Casey

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 12:00 AM EST
Where: Casey forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.322, -84.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Hancock

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Hancock forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.842, -86.778 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Hardin

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Hardin forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.698, -85.963 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Harrison

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Harrison forecast zone
Coordinates: 38.442, -84.331 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Hart

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 12:00 AM EST
Where: Hart forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.300, -85.885 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Henry

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Henry forecast zone
Coordinates: 38.449, -85.119 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Jefferson

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Jefferson forecast zone
Deaths: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 4 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 38.187, -85.659 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Jessamine

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Jessamine forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.872, -84.581 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Larue

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Larue forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.546, -85.698 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Lincoln

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 12:00 AM EST
Where: Lincoln forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.455, -84.661 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Logan

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 5, 12:00 AM EST
Where: Logan forecast zone
Coordinates: 36.860, -86.879 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Madison

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Madison forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.720, -84.278 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Marion

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Marion forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.553, -85.270 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Mercer

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Mercer forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.811, -84.874 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Metcalfe

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 5, 2:00 AM EST
Where: Metcalfe forecast zone
Coordinates: 36.991, -85.629 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Monroe

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 5, 12:00 AM EST
Where: Monroe forecast zone
Coordinates: 36.712, -85.716 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Nelson

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Nelson forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.805, -85.466 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Nicholas

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Nicholas forecast zone
Coordinates: 38.336, -84.015 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Ohio

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Ohio forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.478, -86.849 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Oldham

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Oldham forecast zone
Coordinates: 38.399, -85.448 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Russell

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 5, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Russell forecast zone
Coordinates: 36.991, -85.059 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Scott

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Scott forecast zone
Coordinates: 38.292, -84.584 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Shelby

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Shelby forecast zone
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 38.215, -85.195 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Simpson

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 5, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Simpson forecast zone
Coordinates: 36.742, -86.582 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Spencer

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Spencer forecast zone
Coordinates: 38.033, -85.328 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Taylor

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 12:00 AM EST
Where: Taylor forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.367, -85.328 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Trimble

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Trimble forecast zone
Coordinates: 38.613, -85.338 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Warren

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 5, 5:00 AM EST
Where: Warren forecast zone
Coordinates: 36.994, -86.424 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Washington

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Washington forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.753, -85.175 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Woodford

When: February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Woodford forecast zone
Coordinates: 38.042, -84.744 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Allen

When: February 3, 9:00 PM EST to February 5, 7:00 AM EST
Where: Allen forecast zone
Coordinates: 36.751, -86.190 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Barren

When: February 3, 9:00 PM EST to February 5, 7:00 AM EST
Where: Barren forecast zone
Coordinates: 36.966, -85.934 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Green

When: February 3, 11:00 PM EST to February 6, 12:00 AM EST
Where: Green forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.264, -85.553 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Boyle

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Boyle forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.624, -84.867 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Clark

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Clark forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.971, -84.147 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Edmonson

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 2:00 AM EST
Where: Edmonson forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.209, -86.239 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Garrard

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Garrard forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.640, -84.538 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Fayette

When: February 4, 1:00 AM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Fayette forecast zone
Coordinates: 38.042, -84.459 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Bourbon

When: February 4, 2:00 AM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Bourbon forecast zone
Coordinates: 38.207, -84.217 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Anderson

When: February 4, 3:00 AM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Anderson forecast zone
Coordinates: 38.004, -84.991 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Franklin

When: February 4, 3:00 AM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Franklin forecast zone
Coordinates: 38.239, -84.877 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Grayson

When: February 4, 3:00 AM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Grayson forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.461, -86.344 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Bullitt

When: February 4, 4:00 AM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Bullitt forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.970, -85.696 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Butler

When: February 4, 4:00 AM EST to February 6, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Butler forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.207, -86.682 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Breckinridge

When: February 4, 6:00 AM EST to February 6, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Breckinridge forecast zone
Coordinates: 37.773, -86.429 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Heavy Snow, Jefferson	1998-02-04	4	Male	Other	Direct
Heavy Snow, Jefferson	1998-02-05	71	Male	Other	Direct
Heavy Snow, Shelby	1998-02-05	35	Male	Other	Direct

What these are

Heavy Snow: Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kentucky in 1998 Every state in 1998 This day in weather history Warnings in Kentucky, February 1998

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5630285, 5630286, 5630274, 5630283, 5631516, 5631517, 5631518, 5631519, 5631520, 5631521, 5631522, 5631523, 5631524, 5631525, 5631526, 5631527, 5631528, 5631529, 5631530, 5631531, 5631532, 5631533, 5631534, 5631535, 5631536, 5631537, 5631538, 5631539, 5631540, 5631541, 5631542, 5631543, 5631544, 5630275, 5630277, 5631515, 5630279, 5630284, 5630287, 5630290, and more.