Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Kentucky, January 5 to 6, 2025

Precipitation began as mainly snow on the morning of January 5th, before changing over to a mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain, and rain that persisted through the day on the 6th. In the early morning hours of January 6th, at 0053EST, the ASOS station at the London-Corbin Airport reported a storm total of 0.27 inches of ice accretion. Later that morning at 0800EST, the CoCoRaHS observer at station KY-LL-6 (London 4.2 S) reported a total of 1.42 inches of liquid precipitation from the wintry mix.

Heavy snow fell in Bath County on January 5th. A social media report at 1343 EST indicated 4 inches of snow had fallen in Polksville.

Several inches of snow and isolated significant ice accumulation occurred on January 5th and 6th, 2025. Snowfall reports on the afternoon of the 5th began with a picture on social media from Whick at 1300EST showing 4 inches of measured snow. At 1325EST, a storm total of 4 inches was reported in Jackson. Later that afternoon, at 1548EST, a member of the public measured a total of 3.3 inches of snow in Quicksand.

Overnight, the combination of precipitation and freezing temperatures led to damage. At 0015EST on the 6th, a trained weather spotter reported two trees down. One tree was blocking a lane on Wolverine Road, and another on Quicksand Road destroyed a swing set. By the morning of the 6th, final storm total snowfall measurements were taken. At 0700EST, CoCoRaHS station KY-BE-9 (Jackson 1.9 SSE) recorded 3.7 inches, while the NWS office in Jackson measured 3.8 inches. In addition to the snow, significant ice accretion occurred. An NWS employee measured 0.16 inches of flat ice at the Quicksand Park and Ride at 0747EST. The NWS JKL AWOS on top of Sugar Camp Mountain reported a higher amount of 0.47 inches of flat ice at 0953EST.

A winter storm brought a mix of heavy snow and ice to Estill County. On January 5th, snow began to accumulate, with a member of the public measuring 4.0 inches of snow 3 miles north of Irvine at 1222EST. Later that afternoon at 1545EST, a trained spotter reported a higher total of 4.9 inches of snow at Weedon. Overnight, the weight of the mixed precipitation caused damage. Around 0015EST on January 6th, large tree limbs were reported to have fallen on Old Landing Road, damaging a garage roof. Around the same time, another large tree was reported down on Rice Station Road. By the next morning, some ice accretion was measured. A member of the public reported 0.24 inches of ice on Tipton Ridge at 1124EST.

Heavy snow fell across Jackson County on January 5th and 6th. A public report from Mckee indicated 4.5 inches of snow at 1200EST on January 5th. An emergency manager measured the same amount, 4.5 inches, in Threelinks at 0700EST on January 6th.

Heavy snow and ice impacted Lee County on January 5th. Snowfall totals varied, with a public report from Zachariah at 1400EST measuring 4.5 inches. Later in the evening at 2000EST, a public report from near Maloney noted approximately 6 inches of snow and around 0.25 inches of ice accretion. The weight of the snow and ice led to damage. At 2330EST, a trained spotter reported that a fallen tree on power lines forced the closure of KY-708 at mile marker 7.5.

Heavy snow and significant icing occurred in Menifee County on January 5th and 6th, resulting in widespread tree and power utility damage. The precipitation started as heavy snow on January 5th. An NWS employee reported 4.0 inches of measured snow at 1320EST 1 mile west of Cornwell. By that evening, a trained spotter in Wellington measured a storm total of 7.0 inches of snow at 1829EST. The NWS employee located 1 mile west of Cornwell reported a final measured snow accumulation of 5.4 inches. After precipitation transitioned to freezing rain, a major ice storm unfolded through January 6th. Ice accretion varied dramatically with elevation, with the highest amounts observed on ridgetops and lower amounts in valleys. The NWS employee 1 mile west of Cornwell measured 0.40 inches of flat ice by 0600EST, with that total increasing to 0.48 inches by 2000EST. Throughout the evening of the 6th, the employee conducted a survey along the US-460 corridor, reporting numerous flat ice measurements in a chronological progression. These included 0.60 inches at Broke Leg Falls Park at 1854EST, 0.75 inches at the Byrd Ridge Road intersection at 1908EST, 0.67 inches at the Wellington Dollar General at 1912EST, 0.67 inches at Menifee Central School at 1928EST, a lower-elevation reading of 0.32 inches at the courthouse in Frenchburg at 1939EST, and a peak ridgetop measurement of 0.75 inches at the high point between Frenchburg and Means at 2103EST. The combined weight of heavy snow and significant ice accretion brought down many trees and power lines throughout the county.

A winter storm brought heavy snow and significant ice to Montgomery County on January 5th and 6th. Heavy snow began mid-morning on the 5th, falling heavily at times into the afternoon. At 1500EST, an NWS employee reported 5.6 inches of snow along Spruce Valley Lane. Other reports from later in the afternoon included 5.0 inches at Jeffersonville at 1615EST. The precipitation began to transition by late afternoon, with an NWS employee south of Oggs Station reporting that 5 inches of snow had fallen and was changing to sleet at 1630EST. On January 6th, the precipitation fell primarily as freezing rain. An NWS employee reported 0.45 inches of flat ice accretion along Spruce Valley Lane at 0630EST. Later, at 1205EST, another report from south of Oggs Station, noted as being north of the heavier icing axis, measured 0.36 inches of ice accretion. A final storm total snowfall of 6.6 inches was reported from this same location at 1600EST.

A storm total of 4.0 inches of measured snow was reported by the CoCoRaHS observer located 3.6 miles east-northeast of Booneville. The measurement was taken at 7:00 AM on January 6th.

Heavy snow was followed by ice and subsequent damage in Powell County on January 5th and 6th. Heavy snow fell across the county from mid-morning through early afternoon on January 5th. A trained spotter reported a measurement of 2 inches of snow at Waltersville at 1226EST. Shortly after, at 1243EST, an NWS employee measured 3.5 inches of snow 1 mile south-southeast of Stanton. Later in the afternoon, a social media report from Clay City at 1600EST showed about 4.5 inches of snow. The snow then transitioned to freezing rain during the late afternoon and evening hours. Overnight, the combination of snow and ice accumulation led to widespread tree damage. At 0045EST on January 6th, it was reported that at least a half dozen trees were knocked down in Nada. Five minutes later, at 0050EST, a large tree was also reported down on a fence about 1 mile south of Bowen. These specific reports represent only the damage that was relayed to the National Weather Service; the full extent of tree damage across the county was likely far more widespread. Morning observations on January 6th quantified the final accumulations. At 0649EST, an NWS employee measured 0.36 inches of flat ice accretion at the Papa John's in Stanton. At 0700EST, the CO-OP Observer located 2 miles west of Stanton reported a storm total of 5.2 inches of snowfall in their routine observation. While some additional light snow and icing occurred after these observations, the reported totals captured the majority of the storm's accumulation.

Snow began falling in Rockcastle County on the morning of January 5th, before transitioning to mixed precipitation later in the day. Several reports of heavy snow accumulation were received as the event unfolded. A public report on social media from near the Gauley community noted that snow accumulated from 3 inches just after 1030EST to 4 inches by 1138EST. At 1432EST, another social media report from the public showed approximately 4 inches of snow at Climax. Later, at 1700EST, broadcast media relayed a report of 4 inches of snow about 1 mile south-southeast of Mount Vernon. On the morning of January 6th, the Rockcastle County Emergency Manager reported a measured storm total of 3.7 inches of snow in Broadhead at 0700EST.

A winter storm brought heavy snow, significant ice, and widespread damage to Wolfe County on January 5th and 6th. Snow began on the morning of the 5th before transitioning to freezing rain during the afternoon, which persisted into the night. During the snow portion of the event, a public report from Zachariah at 1400EST measured 4.5 inches. Later that afternoon, reports of 5.0 inches came from near Maytown at 1607EST, and 4.1 inches was measured near Murphyfork at 1624EST. As ice accumulated overnight, numerous reports of downed trees were received. At 0015EST on January 6th, two large trees were reported down on Stillwater Road near Gosneyville, bringing down powerlines and blocking the roadway. Shortly after at 0030EST, another tree was reported blocking a lane on Cook Branch Road. On the morning of the 6th, an NWS Employee measured 0.44 inches of flat ice accretion along the Mountain Parkway near mile marker 39 at 0715EST. Reports of damage continued through the day, with a trained spotter reporting another tree down across Proffitt Fork Road at 1200EST.

Snow began in Harlan County on the morning of January 5th, before changing over to freezing rain and rain later in the day. Storm total snowfall measurements taken by CO-OP Observers on the morning of January 6th highlighted the significant impact of elevation on accumulations. At 0751EST, the observer on Pine Mountain (Harlan 3N) reported 4.0 inches of snow. In contrast, the observer at Harlan 1S, located in the valley, reported a lower total of 1.5 inches of snow at 0800EST.

Snow began in Letcher County on the morning of January 5th, before changing over to freezing rain and rain during the afternoon and into the night. Rapid accumulation was reported by the early afternoon. At 1231EST, the public reported 3.5 inches of snow 1 mile south-southwest of Ermine. A report of 3.8 inches was received from near Carcassonne at 1350EST. By the morning of January 6th, final storm totals were being reported. At 0700EST, the CO-OP Observer at station WHBK2 (Whitesburg 2 SE) reported a storm total of 4.0 inches of snow. Around the same time, Letcher County Emergency Management reported approximately 0.1 inches of freezing rain on flat surfaces in Whitesburg. An hour later, at 0800EST, the CO-OP Observer at station SKLK2 (Skyline) reported a measured 4.5 inches of snow.

Heavy snow fell across Perry County on January 5th, leading to hazardous travel conditions before the precipitation transitioned to rain and freezing rain later in the day and into the 6th. A social media post at 1300 EST on the 5th reported 4 inches of snow had accumulated in Hazard and included a picture of snow-covered roads in the area. At 1335 EST the same day, a member of the public reported an estimated 4 inches of snow accumulation at Chavies.

A winter storm brought heavy snow and some mixed precipitation to Floyd County on January 5th and 6th. Snow began on January 5th, with a trained spotter in Brainard reporting 2.0 inches of accumulation by 1226 EST. Amounts increased through the afternoon; an NWS employee measured 4 inches in Prestonsburg at 1419 EST, followed by a public report of approximately 5 inches just southwest of the city at 1708 EST. As the snow later transitioned to rain and freezing rain, icing was not as significant as in locations further north. However, the weight of the mixed precipitation still resulted in damage. At 0015 EST on January 6th, a trained spotter reported several trees down along State Fork Road, south-southwest of Riceville. The following morning, a final storm total snowfall of 4.3 inches was measured by the CO-OP observer in Prestonsburg at 0700 EST.

Snow began in Pike County late on the morning of January 5th, falling heavily at times before transitioning to freezing rain and rain later in the day. Several snowfall reports were received during the afternoon as the snow accumulated. At 1320 EST, a report of 4 inches of snow was relayed from Virgie. At 1420 EST, a social media post showed 3 inches of snow in Pikeville. At 1546 EST, the Pike County Emergency Manager reported two different measured amounts, showing the variability across the county: 2.3 inches was measured at Sidney, while 5 inches was measured in Dorton.

A winter storm brought heavy snow and significant icing to Elliott County. On January 5th, 5.5 inches of snow was reported west of Little Sandy by 1717 EST. Later that evening at 2120 EST, a report from Sandy Hook showed 5.9 inches of combined snow and ice. The following morning at 0940 EST, a trained spotter west of Little Sandy measured a final total of 6 inches of snow along with 0.32 inches of flat ice accretion.

Heavy snow and significant icing impacted Fleming County. On the morning of January 6th, a single observer in Elizaville, reporting for both the CO-OP and CoCoRaHS networks, measured a storm total of 6.1 inches of snow along with 0.30 inches of flat ice accretion at 0700EST. Later that morning at 1107EST, a public report from Flemingsburg showed a measurement of 6.8 inches of combined snow and ice.

A winter storm brought a mix of heavy snow and significant ice to Johnson County on January 5th and 6th. On the afternoon of January 5th, multiple public reports of heavy snow were received. At 1520 EST, an estimated 6 inches of snow was reported in Paintsville. At 1539 EST, a member of the public reported 5.0 inches of snow in Wittensville. Later that evening at 2200 EST, another public report noted a measurement of 5.0 inches of snow at Flat Gap. The precipitation then transitioned to freezing rain. On January 6th, a public report from Staffordsville at 1159 EST indicated approximately 0.50 inches of flat ice accretion. A final storm total of 5.5 inches of snow was reported for the entire event by a CO-OP Observer located 1 mile east of Paintsville.

A mix of snow and freezing rain impacted Martin County on January 5th and 6th. Snowfall accumulations of at least a couple of inches were widespread, though no reports exceeded 4 inches. A public report from near Milo showed an accumulation of approximately 0.25 inches of ice.

Heavy snow was followed by a significant ice storm in Morgan County on January 5th and 6th. On the afternoon of January 5th, social media reports indicated widespread heavy snow. At 1600EST, a report from Crockett showed around 5 inches of snow. Shortly after, at 1619EST, another report showed approximately 5 inches of snow accumulation in West Liberty. The precipitation began to transition to a wintry mix during the evening of the 5th. By the evening on January 6th, a single NWS employee conducted a survey and measured significant flat ice accretion along the US-460 corridor. At 1810EST, 0.60 inches of ice was measured at the high point between KY-205 and KY-705. A subsequent measurement at 1823EST found 0.52 inches of ice at the intersection with Murphy Fork Road. The survey in Morgan County concluded at 1837EST in Ezel with a peak measurement of 0.71 inches of flat ice accretion at the intersection of Meetinghouse Branch and US-460. The combined weight of heavy snow and significant ice accretion brought down many trees and power lines throughout the county.

Snow began in Rowan County late on the morning of January 5th and continued through the afternoon before gradually changing over to freezing rain and mixed precipitation. On the afternoon of the 5th at 1530EST, a public report noted approximately 4 inches of snow accumulation at the intersection of Brown Ridge Road and Trent Ridge Road. The following morning, on January 6th at 0909EST, CoCoRaHS station KY-RW-3 (Morehead 6.4 NE) reported a measured storm total of 6.1 inches of snow.