A major winter storm followed by an extended surge of Arctic air is expected to impact the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys—including Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia—Thursday, Jan. 22, through Sunday, Jan. 26, according to the National Weather Service and NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center.
Forecasters say confidence is growing that the region will face widespread winter weather, including snow, sleet, freezing rain, and life-threatening cold, with disruptions potentially continuing into early next week.
Snow and ice expected across the region
The storm is predicted to move into the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys late Friday and persist through much of the weekend.
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Ohio and West Virginia are likely to see accumulating snow, particularly in northern and higher-elevation areas, which could cause hazardous travel and reduced visibility.
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Kentucky and Tennessee face a higher risk of mixed precipitation, including freezing rain and sleet, especially in central and eastern areas of both states.
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Even light ice accumulation could create slick roads, downed tree limbs, and scattered power outages, particularly where freezing rain persists.
Dangerous cold follows the storm
After the system passes, Arctic air will push temperatures far below normal from late Saturday into early next week.
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Overnight lows could drop into the single digits and teens, with sub-zero wind chills possible in Ohio, West Virginia, and eastern Kentucky.
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Prolonged freezing temperatures in parts of Tennessee and western Kentucky could threaten pipes, infrastructure, and livestock.
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Extended cold increases the risk of hypothermia and frostbite, particularly for those without adequate shelter or heating.
Travel and safety concerns
The combination of winter precipitation and extreme cold is expected to significantly disrupt travel, especially on major interstates and rural roads. Officials advise residents to prepare in advance, limit nonessential travel, and check on vulnerable neighbors and family members.
Meteorologists emphasize that while exact snowfall and ice totals remain uncertain, the overall threat of impactful winter weather is high across the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. Residents should monitor forecast updates closely, as small shifts in temperature or storm track could greatly affect local conditions.
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