Hazard, Kentucky — Bursts of snow squalls moving across eastern Kentucky Monday night may quickly reduce visibility to a quarter mile, creating slushy and hazardous driving conditions across the Appalachian region through early Tuesday.
According to the National Weather Service in Jackson, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 2 a.m. EDT Tuesday for Bell, Floyd, Knott, Perry, Leslie, and Martin counties. Snow showers and squalls could bring 1 to 2 inches of accumulation, with locally higher totals above 1,500 feet. Wind gusts up to 30 mph may blow snow across roads in communities including Hazard, Prestonsburg, Pineville, Hyden, Hindman, and Inez.
The main concern is sudden drops in visibility during heavier snow bursts, which may briefly lower visibility to a quarter mile or less, especially along mountain routes such as U.S. 23, KY 15, and KY 80.
Farther southeast in Harlan and Letcher counties, snowfall totals could reach 1 to 3 inches through 8 a.m. Tuesday, with temperatures dropping into the 20s at lower elevations and the teens above 2,500 feet. These conditions may create slick roads near Harlan, Whitesburg, Jenkins, and Cumberland during the Tuesday morning commute.
Drivers should slow down, allow extra braking distance, and check GoKY road updates before traveling. Snow showers are expected to taper off later Tuesday morning, though icy patches may persist in higher elevations.
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