Truckers told to watch for ice, sleet in Kentucky

The Associated Press

2/21/2008

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Truckers and other motorists were being warned Thursday that ice and sleet covering the western half of Kentucky could measure up to a quarter-inch in some areas.

Forecaster said the cold blast prompted Western Kentucky University to cancel classes at its extended campuses and schools around the state were dismissing early because of the weather. Louisville's city employees were being let off work in phases, city officials said, in an attempt to get them off the roads before conditions became too slick.

"The roads have gotten treacherous," said Bob Skipper, a Western Kentucky University spokesman.

Mark Brown, a spokesman for the Kentucky Department of Transportation, said there are reports of hazardous conditions on some roads, including Interstate 65 in Simpson and Warren counties, and some stretches of Interstate 24 and the Louis B. Nunn Cumberland Parkway.

Jim Packett, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Paducah, said the cold weather would move through in two bursts. The first was expected to end around 11 a.m. CST, with a second one to follow about four hours later and last into Friday morning.

National Weather Service meteorologist John Denman in Louisville said central Kentucky and Louisville were expected to get up to one-third of an inch of ice, which could create hazardous conditions for drivers and pedestrians.

"It's going to be a mess," Denman said. "With people falling on the sidewalks and the accidents, it may be something to see on YouTube. That's about it."

In eastern Kentucky, a winter storm warning runs from Thursday afternoon through Friday morning with ice accumulations also possible as snow and sleet change over to freezing rain.

How long the ice stays around is still in question, Packett said. The "freezing line," where temperatures will stay below 32 degrees is forecast to extend from Paducah northeast through Owensboro, but could shift, Packett said.

Areas below that line will see rain on Friday that could melt away any ice accumulations, Packett said.

The weather service issued a winter weather advisory for northern Kentucky from Thursday evening through Friday, with about an inch of snow expected.

Harold Scholl, a spokesman for Kentucky State Police in Columbia in south-central Kentucky, said roads were getting slick on Thursday morning and accidents were being reported.

Brown said crews have been treating roads since Tuesday in preparation for the storm.

"We are prepared to work around the clock to keep Kentucky roads safe," Brown said.