Kentucky, 2008

Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Kentucky, November 20 to 21, 2008

November 20 to 21, 2008 · NWS JKL · 45 events in 19 counties and zones

Moist northwest flow behind a departing cold front led to a widespread light snow event across eastern Kentucky. Most areas received between 1 and 2 inches of the white stuff from Thursday night November 20th into the early morning hours of Friday November 21st.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 45 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
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
45

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 JKL wrote it up.

Moist northwest flow behind a departing cold front led to a widespread light snow event across eastern Kentucky. Most areas received between 1 and 2 inches of the white stuff from Thursday night November 20th into the early morning hours of Friday November 21st. A few isolated amounts of 3 to 5 inches of snow were reported in the higher terrain of Harlan and Letcher counties.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

44 winter weather, 1 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Weather, Morgan

When
November 20, 7:55 PM EST to 9:55 PM EST
Where
Morgan forecast zone
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
37.922, -83.259 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An NWS employee measured one inch of snowfall 3 miles northwest of West Liberty.

Winter Weather, Perry

When
November 20, 8:00 PM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where
Perry forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.244, -83.221 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained spotter measured one inch of snow 4 miles northwest of Blackey.

Winter Weather, Breathitt

When
November 20, 8:50 PM EST to 11:55 PM EST
Where
Breathitt forecast zone
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
37.522, -83.324 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An NWS employee reported that one inch of snow had fallen in Jackson.

Winter Weather, Letcher

When
November 20, 9:50 PM EST to 11:50 PM EST
Where
Letcher forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
37.121, -82.855 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public reported a snowfall amount of 1.5 inches in Thornton.

Winter Weather, Pike

When
November 20, 9:50 PM EST to 11:50 PM EST
Where
Pike forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
37.469, -82.396 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public reported that one inch of snow had accumulated in Pikeville.

Winter Weather, Floyd

When
November 21, 12:00 AM EST to 2:00 AM EST
Where
Floyd forecast zone
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
37.557, -82.746 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An NWS employee reported a snowfall of one half inch 4 miles west southwest of Prestonsburg.

Heavy Snow, Harlan

When
November 21, 1:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Harlan forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
36.857, -83.218 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a 5 inch snowfall, with six inches of total accumulation on the ground, in Lynch.

Winter Weather, Harlan

When
November 21, 1:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Harlan forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
36.857, -83.218 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of 3 inches in Closplint.

Winter Weather, Harlan

When
November 21, 2:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Harlan forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
36.857, -83.218 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of 2.9 inches in Cumberland.

Winter Weather, Letcher

When
November 21, 2:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Letcher forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.121, -82.855 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of 2.8 inches in Jeremiah.

Winter Weather, Magoffin

When
November 21, 3:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Magoffin forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.707, -83.065 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of an inch in Salyersville.

Winter Weather, Powell

When
November 21, 3:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Powell forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.831, -83.824 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of one and a half inches in Slade.

Winter Weather, Morgan

When
November 21, 3:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Morgan forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.922, -83.259 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of 1.8 inches in West Liberty.

Winter Weather, Letcher

When
November 21, 3:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Letcher forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.121, -82.855 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of 3 inches in Whitesburg.

Winter Weather, Breathitt

When
November 21, 3:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Breathitt forecast zone
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
37.522, -83.324 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An NWS employee reported a snowfall of 1.4 inches 9 miles southwest of Jackson.

Winter Weather, Harlan

When
November 21, 3:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Harlan forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
36.857, -83.218 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public reported a snowfall of 2 inches in Wallins Creek.

Winter Weather, Breathitt

When
November 21, 4:00 AM EST to 6:50 AM EST
Where
Breathitt forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
37.522, -83.324 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Two inches of snow was measured at the Jackson weather office.

Winter Weather, Pike

When
November 21, 4:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Pike forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.469, -82.396 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained observer measured a two inch snowfall 4 miles north of Elkhorn City.

Winter Weather, Owsley

When
November 21, 4:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Owsley forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.419, -83.683 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a one inch snowfall 1 mile southeast of Booneville.

Winter Weather, Lee

When
November 21, 4:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Lee forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.595, -83.716 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of 2 inches in Heidelberg.

Winter Weather, Lee

When
November 21, 4:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Lee forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.595, -83.716 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of 1.6 inches in Beattyville.

Winter Weather, Morgan

When
November 21, 4:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Morgan forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.922, -83.259 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of one and a half inches in Ezel.

Winter Weather, Perry

When
November 21, 4:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Perry forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.244, -83.221 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of one inch in Hazard.

Winter Weather, Wayne

When
November 21, 4:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Wayne forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
36.801, -84.829 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of 0.6 inches in Monticello.

Winter Weather, Montgomery

When
November 21, 4:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Montgomery forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
38.034, -83.913 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of a half inch in Mt. Sterling.

Winter Weather, Morgan

When
November 21, 4:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Morgan forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.922, -83.259 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of a half inch in West Liberty.

Winter Weather, Lee

When
November 21, 4:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Lee forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.595, -83.716 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of 1.1 inches in Beattyville.

Winter Weather, Morgan

When
November 21, 4:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Morgan forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.922, -83.259 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of 0.8 inches in Relief.

Winter Weather, Laurel

When
November 21, 4:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Laurel forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.111, -84.118 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of 0.6 inches in Bunch.

Winter Weather, Estill

When
November 21, 4:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Estill forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.693, -83.964 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of 0.6 inches in Cressy.

Winter Weather, Harlan

When
November 21, 4:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Harlan forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
36.857, -83.218 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of 0.6 inches in Harlan.

Winter Weather, Rockcastle

When
November 21, 4:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Rockcastle forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.365, -84.316 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of a half inch Mount Vernon.

Winter Weather, Letcher

When
November 21, 5:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Letcher forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
37.121, -82.855 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public reported a 3 inch snowfall at Thornton at an elevation of 1600 feet.

Winter Weather, Wolfe

When
November 21, 5:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Wolfe forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.739, -83.493 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a 1.2 inch snowfall at Rogers.

Winter Weather, Lee

When
November 21, 5:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Lee forecast zone
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
37.595, -83.716 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An NWS employee reported 1.4 inches of snow 2 miles north northwest of Beattyville.

Winter Weather, Letcher

When
November 21, 5:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Letcher forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.121, -82.855 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a 3 inch snowfall in Whitesburg.

Winter Weather, Letcher

When
November 21, 5:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Letcher forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.121, -82.855 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of 2 inches in Skyline.

Winter Weather, Laurel

When
November 21, 5:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Laurel forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.111, -84.118 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall amount of 0.4 inches in Victory.

Winter Weather, Powell

When
November 21, 5:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Powell forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.831, -83.824 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of 0.2 inches in Stanton.

Winter Weather, Morgan

When
November 21, 5:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Morgan forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.922, -83.259 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of a half inch 11 miles northwest of West Liberty.

Winter Weather, Pike

When
November 21, 5:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Pike forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
37.469, -82.396 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An emergency manager reported a snowfall of 0.8 inches in Pikeville.

Winter Weather, Rowan

When
November 21, 5:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Rowan forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
38.196, -83.421 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of 0.1 inches in Farmers.

Winter Weather, Powell

When
November 21, 5:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Powell forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.831, -83.824 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of a half inch in Clay City.

Winter Weather, Breathitt

When
November 21, 5:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Breathitt forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.522, -83.324 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of one tenth of an inches in Quicksand.

Winter Weather, Johnson

When
November 21, 5:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where
Johnson forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.847, -82.831 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained weather observer reported a snowfall of one tenth of an inch in Paintsville.

What these are

Winter Weather
Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.
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

More

Every storm in Kentucky in 2008Every state in 2008This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, November 2008

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 137634, 137636, 137641, 137637, 137639, 137643, 137654, 137663, 137680, 137682, 137668, 137669, 137671, 137672, 137676, 137677, 137644, 137645, 137646, 137657, 137660, 137664, 137665, 137666, 137667, 137670, 137673, 137675, 137678, 137679, 137681, 137683, 137649, 137650, 137651, 137652, 137653, 137655, 137656, 137658, and more.