Winter Storm in Kentucky, December 13, 2000

A major winter storm produced significant ice accumulations across most of western Kentucky, generally around 1/2 inch thick. The ice was preceded by up to 3 inches of snow. Snow accumulations before the changeover to ice ranged from just a dusting in the Tennessee border counties up to 3 inches along the Ohio River. Owensboro reported only an inch of snow, while Henderson and Paducah received 3 inches. The snow changed to freezing rain after a brief period of sleet. Light to occasionally moderate freezing rain fell during the afternoon and early evening hours. In the Hopkinsville area, temperatures rose above freezing long enough to prevent any significant icing problems there. The heavy precipitation was caused by a strong upper level disturbance that tracked east-northeast from the southern Rockies, across the southern Plains, and then over the lower Mississippi Valley. A strong southerly flow of milder air just above ground level was unable to scour out very cold air right at the surface, which produced an extended period of snow and ice. The liquid equivalent of all the frozen and freezing precipitation was between one half and three quarters of an inch. Numerous accidents occurred, most of which were minor. One of the most significant wrecks occurred on the U.S. Highway 41 bridge over the Ohio River, where a car rolled onto its side. Schools were closed for up to a week following the storm, especially in rural counties with limited snow removal resources. Ice on trees and power lines contributed to scattered power outages, especially from the Morganfield area of Union County southwest to the Mayfield and Paducah areas. Stores quickly sold out of winter goods, such as ice melter and snow shovels.