KENTUCKY — A developing storm system moving across the western United States may bring wintry weather to parts of Kentucky late this weekend into early next week, but forecasters say several factors will decide whether the state sees accumulating snow or mostly rain.
According to AccuWeather meteorologists, the storm is forecast to move south along the West Coast on Thursday, cross the Rockies on Friday and travel through the central United States on Saturday before nearing the eastern half of the country Sunday into Monday.
Whether Kentucky sees meaningful snowfall will depend largely on two main factors: the presence of cold air and the exact path of the storm.
Forecasters say enough cold air may not be in place as the system develops, which could limit the chances for widespread snow. If temperatures stay marginal, precipitation that starts as snow higher in the atmosphere could melt before reaching the surface, turning into rain or a wintry mix instead.
The storm’s track will also play a major role. If it shifts farther inland, warmer air could push north into Kentucky, lowering the likelihood of significant snowfall.
However, if the system moves farther south and east, colder air may hold in place long enough to allow snow to accumulate, especially across northern and eastern parts of the state.
Meteorologists are also monitoring the potential for a narrow band of heavier precipitation to form as the storm intensifies. Under favorable conditions, that feature could produce a localized strip of heavier snowfall, though setups like that are less common and challenging to predict well in advance.
Before the possible Sunday-to-Monday system arrives, several rounds of rain and wintry precipitation are expected across parts of the Midwest and Ohio Valley. Those systems could affect ground temperatures and road conditions heading into the weekend.
Forecasters stress that confidence in projected snowfall totals for Kentucky remains low for now. Residents should continue to check updated forecasts in the coming days as the storm’s path and temperature setup become more defined.
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