Winter Storm in Kentucky, January 24 to 25, 2026

Name: Winter Storm in Kentucky, January 24 to 25, 2026
Start: 2026-01-24T02:15
End: 2026-01-25T20:45
Location: Kentucky

January 24 to 25, 2026 · NWS LMK · 49 events in 49 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 49 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

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Wind
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Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

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The toll

Deaths: 9
Injuries: 1
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 49

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 major winter storm produced heavy snow and sleet across portions of northern and central Kentucky January 24-26, 2026. In addition, portions of central and eastern Kentucky saw heavy ice accumulation, which resulted in thousands of power outages. A strong low pressure system moved through the Ohio Valley. The storm featured strong frontogenetical forcing in the mid-levels of the atmosphere, which led to heavy mixed precipitation and banding. A layer of warm air aloft streamed northward through central Kentucky, changing precipitation over to sleet and freezing rain for several hours. The winter storm produced damaging ice amounts of 0.25-0.80 inches in portions of central and southern Kentucky. A frigid airmass moved in following the storm, contributing to enhanced societal impact due to a combination of icy roads, power outages, and dangerously cold wind chills. Power outages across southern, central, and eastern Kentucky peaked around 75,000 on the afternoon of Sunday, January 25, 2026. The impact of this winter storm was felt for weeks following the event. A Winter Storm Warning was issued for every county in the state of Kentucky.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

49 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Logan

When: January 24, 2:15 AM EST to January 25, 6:00 PM EST
Where: Logan forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.860, -86.879 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Logan County received 3 to 4 inches of snow and sleet, in addition to 0.25 to 0.40 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Simpson

When: January 24, 2:15 AM EST to January 25, 5:30 PM EST
Where: Simpson forecast zone
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.742, -86.582 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Simpson County received significant ice accumulation ranging from 0.30 to 0.60 inches. Simpson County also saw 2 to 3 inches of snow and sleet. Heavy mixed precipitation resulted in extremely slick roads and numerous vehicle accidents.

Winter Storm, Allen

When: January 24, 2:30 AM EST to January 25, 6:00 PM EST
Where: Allen forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.751, -86.190 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Allen County received damaging ice accumulation of 0.50-0.65 inches. This ice accumulation caused tree and power line damage, which resulted in thousands without power. Snow and sleet accumulation of around 3 inches also impacted the county.

Winter Storm, Warren

When: January 24, 1:30 AM CST to January 25, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Warren forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 36.994, -86.424 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Warren County received heavy ice accumulation of 0.25 to 0.50 inches, along with around 3 inches of snow and sleet. The ice accumulation resulted in thousands without power in Warren County and across southern Kentucky.

Winter Storm, Metcalfe

When: January 24, 2:50 AM EST to January 25, 7:00 PM EST
Where: Metcalfe forecast zone
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.991, -85.629 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mercer County reported significant ice accumulation of 0.50 to 0.75 inches. This ice accumulation resulted in numerous instances of tree damage. Mercer County also received 2 to 3 inches of snow and sleet.

Winter Storm, Barren

When: January 24, 3:00 AM EST to January 25, 7:15 PM EST
Where: Barren forecast zone
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.966, -85.934 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Barren County received damaging ice accumulation of 0.50 to 0.75 inches. This ice accumulation resulted in several instances of tree damage across the county, including one report of a tree falling onto the side of a house. Barren County also received 2 to 3 inches of snow and sleet.

Winter Storm, Monroe

When: January 24, 3:00 AM EST to January 25, 8:00 PM EST
Where: Monroe forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.712, -85.716 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Monroe County received heavy ice accumulation of 0.60 inches, along with around 2 inches of snow and sleet.

Winter Storm, Edmonson

When: January 24, 3:15 AM EST to January 25, 6:00 PM EST
Where: Edmonson forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.209, -86.239 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy ice accumulation of 0.25 to 0.50 inches occurred in Edmonson County. The county also received impactful snow and sleet accumulation totaling 3 to 4 inches.

Winter Storm, Ohio

When: January 24, 2:15 AM CST to January 25, 4:00 PM CST
Where: Ohio forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.478, -86.849 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ohio County received 5 to 6 inches of snow and sleet, along with 0.10 to 0.25 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Butler

When: January 24, 2:30 AM CST to January 25, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Butler forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 37.207, -86.682 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Butler County received 3 to 4 inches of heavy snow and sleet. In addition, the county received impactful ice accumulation of 0.30-0.40 inches.

Winter Storm, Cumberland

When: January 24, 3:50 AM EST to January 25, 8:30 PM EST
Where: Cumberland forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.787, -85.388 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cumberland County received heavy ice accumulation of 0.50 to 0.60 inches. The county also received 1 to 2 inches of snow and sleet.

Winter Storm, Hart

When: January 24, 3:50 AM EST to January 25, 7:00 PM EST
Where: Hart forecast zone
Deaths: 0 direct, 2 indirect
Injuries: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.300, -85.885 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hart County received significant ice accumulation of 0.25 to 0.50 inches, in addition to 3 to 4 inches of snow and sleet. The wintry precipitation caused very slick and hazardous travel conditions on Interstate 65. A large truck pulling a trailer slid into and through a guardrail and went over an embankment. This crash resulted in one injury. A large SUV also slid 40 feet off Interstate 65 North, resulting in the closure of the far right lane.

Winter Storm, Adair

When: January 24, 3:00 AM CST to January 25, 7:15 PM CST
Where: Adair forecast zone
Deaths: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.104, -85.281 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice accumulation of at least 0.25 inches, along with 2-3 inches of snow and sleet, impacted Adair County. The ice accumulation resulted in power outages.

Winter Storm, Larue

When: January 24, 4:00 AM EST to January 25, 5:30 PM EST
Where: Larue forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.546, -85.698 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

LaRue County received around 4 inches of snow and sleet, in addition to 0.25 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Grayson

When: January 24, 3:15 AM CST to January 25, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Grayson forecast zone
Deaths: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.461, -86.344 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Grayson County received a combination of heavy snow and sleet totaling 4 inches. Grayson County also reported ice accumulation ranging from 0.10 to 0.25 inches.

Winter Storm, Mercer

When: January 24, 4:15 AM EST to January 25, 6:00 PM EST
Where: Mercer forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.811, -84.874 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mercer County received 4 inches of heavy snow and sleet, in addition to around 0.40 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Washington

When: January 24, 4:15 AM EST to January 25, 5:30 PM EST
Where: Washington forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.753, -85.175 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Washington County received 4 to 5 inches of snow and sleet, along with 0.30 to 0.40 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Breckinridge

When: January 24, 4:30 AM EST to January 25, 5:30 PM EST
Where: Breckinridge forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 37.773, -86.429 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy snow and sleet ranging from 5 to 7 inches fell across Breckinridge County. The county also received around 0.10 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Hardin

When: January 24, 4:30 AM EST to January 25, 5:30 PM EST
Where: Hardin forecast zone
Deaths: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 37.698, -85.963 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hardin County received 4 to 6 inches of heavy snow and sleet. Hardin County also saw ice accumulation of 0.10 to 0.25 inches. Numerous traffic accidents occurred, including one involving a commercial vehicle that blocked one lane on Interstate 65.

Winter Storm, Bullitt

When: January 24, 4:45 AM EST to January 25, 5:30 PM EST
Where: Bullitt forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.970, -85.696 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bullitt County received 5 to 6 inches of heavy snow and sleet. Bullitt County also received light ice accumulation. The winter storm produced very dangerous travel conditions, and a semi truck was involved in a rollover crash on Interstate 65.

Winter Storm, Casey

When: January 24, 4:45 AM EST to January 25, 8:30 PM EST
Where: Casey forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.322, -84.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Casey County received heavy ice accumulation of 0.50 to 0.70 inches. The county also received 3 to 4 inches of snow and sleet.

Winter Storm, Clark

When: January 24, 4:45 AM EST to January 25, 7:00 PM EST
Where: Clark forecast zone
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 37.971, -84.147 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Clark County received heavy ice accumulation around 0.50 inches. Clark County also reported 3 to 4 inches of snow and sleet.

Winter Storm, Green

When: January 24, 4:45 AM EST to January 25, 7:30 PM EST
Where: Green forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.264, -85.553 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Green County received 0.25 inches of ice accumulation, in addition to 2 to 3 inches of snow and sleet.

Winter Storm, Hancock

When: January 24, 4:45 AM EST to January 25, 5:00 PM EST
Where: Hancock forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.842, -86.778 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hancock County received heavy snow and sleet totaling 6 to 7 inches. Hancock County also saw around 0.10 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Marion

When: January 24, 4:45 AM EST to January 25, 7:00 PM EST
Where: Marion forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.553, -85.270 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Marion County received 3 to 4 inches of snow and sleet, in addition to around 0.25 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Meade

When: January 24, 4:45 AM EST to January 25, 5:30 PM EST
Where: Meade forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.970, -86.217 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Meade County received 5 to 6 inches of heavy snow and sleet, in addition to light ice accumulation around 0.10 inches.

Winter Storm, Russell

When: January 24, 4:45 AM EST to January 25, 8:45 PM EST
Where: Russell forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.991, -85.059 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Russell County received heavy ice accumulation of 0.60 to 0.80 inches, along with 2 to 3 inches of snow and sleet.

Winter Storm, Taylor

When: January 24, 4:45 AM EST to January 25, 7:00 PM EST
Where: Taylor forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.367, -85.328 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Taylor County received 0.25 inches of ice accumulation, in addition to 2 to 3 inches of snow and sleet.

Winter Storm, Anderson

When: January 24, 5:00 AM EST to January 25, 5:30 PM EST
Where: Anderson forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 38.004, -84.991 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Anderson County reported 0.30 inches of ice accumulation, and snow and sleet totaling 3 to 5 inches.

Winter Storm, Jessamine

When: January 24, 5:00 AM EST to January 25, 6:00 PM EST
Where: Jessamine forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.872, -84.581 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Jessamine County received 4 to 5 inches of snow and sleet, in addition to around 0.40 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Lincoln

When: January 24, 5:00 AM EST to January 25, 8:45 PM EST
Where: Lincoln forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.455, -84.661 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Lincoln County received 3.5 to 4.5 inches of snow and sleet, in addition to 0.25 to 0.50 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Madison

When: January 24, 5:00 AM EST to January 25, 8:15 PM EST
Where: Madison forecast zone
Deaths: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.720, -84.278 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Madison County received 3 to 4 inches of snow and sleet, in addition to around 0.25 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Woodford

When: January 24, 5:00 AM EST to January 25, 6:00 PM EST
Where: Woodford forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.042, -84.744 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Woodford County received 4 to 5 inches of snow and sleet, along with 0.25 to 0.40 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Boyle

When: January 24, 5:15 AM EST to January 25, 7:15 PM EST
Where: Boyle forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.624, -84.867 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Boyle County received 4 inches of snow and sleet, in addition to around 0.25 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Clinton

When: January 24, 5:15 AM EST to January 25, 8:45 PM EST
Where: Clinton forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.728, -85.136 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy ice accumulation of 0.50 to 0.60 inches occurred in Clinton County. Clinton County also received 1 to 2 inches of snow and sleet.

Winter Storm, Nelson

When: January 24, 5:15 AM EST to January 25, 5:30 PM EST
Where: Nelson forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 37.805, -85.466 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Nelson County received 4 to 5 inches of snow and sleet, along with around 0.25 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Garrard

When: January 24, 6:15 AM EST to January 25, 8:00 PM EST
Where: Garrard forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.640, -84.538 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy snow and sleet totaling 3 to 4 inches fell in Garrard County. The county also saw impactful ice accumulation of 0.25 inches.

Winter Storm, Jefferson

When: January 24, 11:45 AM EST to January 25, 5:30 PM EST
Where: Jefferson forecast zone
Deaths: 0 direct, 2 indirect
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 38.187, -85.659 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Jefferson County received 5 to 8 inches of snow and sleet, in addition to around 0.10 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Fayette

When: January 24, 12:00 PM EST to January 25, 6:15 PM EST
Where: Fayette forecast zone
Deaths: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.042, -84.459 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Fayette County received a combination of snow and sleet totaling 4 to 5 inches. In addition, Fayette County saw 0.25 to 0.35 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Spencer

When: January 24, 12:00 PM EST to January 25, 5:30 PM EST
Where: Spencer forecast zone
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 38.033, -85.328 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spencer County received 4 to 5 inches of heavy snow and sleet, along with 0.10 to 0.25 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Franklin

When: January 24, 12:15 PM EST to January 25, 5:30 PM EST
Where: Franklin forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 38.239, -84.877 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Franklin County received around 5 inches of heavy snow and sleet, in addition to 0.10 to 0.20 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Bourbon

When: January 24, 12:30 PM EST to January 25, 6:30 PM EST
Where: Bourbon forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.207, -84.217 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bourbon County received 4 to 5 inches of heavy snow and sleet, in addition to around 0.25 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Harrison

When: January 24, 12:30 PM EST to January 25, 6:00 PM EST
Where: Harrison forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 38.442, -84.331 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Harrison County received 4 to 5 inches of heavy snow and sleet, in addition to 0.10 to 0.20 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Henry

When: January 24, 12:30 PM EST to January 25, 5:30 PM EST
Where: Henry forecast zone
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 38.449, -85.119 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Henry County received 5 to 8 inches of heavy snow and sleet, in addition to 0.10 to 0.25 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Oldham

When: January 24, 12:30 PM EST to January 25, 5:30 PM EST
Where: Oldham forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 38.399, -85.448 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Oldham County received heavy snow and sleet totaling 6 to 8 inches. Oldham County also received light ice accumulation around 0.10 inches.

Winter Storm, Scott

When: January 24, 12:30 PM EST to January 25, 6:30 PM EST
Where: Scott forecast zone
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 38.292, -84.584 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Scott County received heavy snow and sleet totaling 5 to 6 inches. Scott County also saw light ice accumulation around 0.10 inches.

Winter Storm, Shelby

When: January 24, 12:30 PM EST to January 25, 5:30 PM EST
Where: Shelby forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 38.215, -85.195 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Shelby County received heavy snow and sleet totaling around 5 inches, in addition to 0.10 to 0.20 inches of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Trimble

When: January 24, 12:30 PM EST to January 25, 6:00 PM EST
Where: Trimble forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.613, -85.338 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trimble County received heavy snow and sleet totaling 7 to 9 inches, in addition to light ice accumulation up to 0.10 inches.

Winter Storm, Nicholas

When: January 24, 1:00 PM EST to January 25, 6:30 PM EST
Where: Nicholas forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.336, -84.015 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Nicholas County received 4 to 5 inches of snow and sleet, along with around 0.25 inches of ice accumulation.

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
Winter Storm, Hart	2026-02-05	92	Male	Unknown	Indirect
Winter Storm, Hart	2026-01-31	64	Male	Permanent Home	Indirect
Winter Storm, Adair	2026-01-31	75	Female	Outside/Open Areas	Indirect
Winter Storm, Grayson	2026-01-26	77	Male	Outside/Open Areas	Indirect
Winter Storm, Hardin	2026-01-31	59	Male	Outside/Open Areas	Indirect
Winter Storm, Madison	2026-02-02	69	Female	Outside/Open Areas	Indirect
Winter Storm, Jefferson	2026-01-24	56	Male	Outside/Open Areas	Indirect
Winter Storm, Jefferson	2026-02-05			Outside/Open Areas	Indirect
Winter Storm, Fayette	2026-01-28	32	Female	Outside/Open Areas	Indirect

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kentucky in 2026 Every state in 2026 This day in weather history Warnings in Kentucky, January 2026

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: 1315866, 1315910, 1314919, 1315919, 1315874, 1315602, 1315895, 1315625, 1315901, 1315611, 1315624, 1315856, 1313697, 1315863, 1315851, 1315871, 1315921, 1315609, 1315854, 1315610, 1315621, 1315622, 1315852, 1315853, 1315868, 1315869, 1315906, 1315914, 1315600, 1315862, 1315865, 1315867, 1315922, 1315608, 1315623, 1315897, 1315850, 1315861, 1315816, 1315913, and more.