State Highway Crews from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 3 area will begin preparing Friday for a possible winter weather system expected to move into the area Sunday. Crews will be deploying on the roadways beginning early Friday morning to begin anti-icing operations. Motorists are advised to be on the lookout for Transportation Cabinet vehicles and give them plenty of space.

Anti-icing operations are sometimes done in advance of a winter weather system to help road conditions by delaying water freezing on the roadway. The possible winter weather system is predicted to move into the District 3 area early Sunday. The latest from the National Weather Service (NWS) Louisville shows icing, rain and snow as a possibility. The forecast for the winter weather system changes day-to-day so motorists should keep updated with the forecast.

State Highway Crews from each county in the District 3 area and across the state are ready to respond to the winter weather as needed. Motorists should expect possible slick travel conditions Sunday into early Monday. Bridges and overpasses will freeze before the roadway does so motorists should use caution. 

Each county in the District 3 area is fully stocked on salt and other road treatment agents. The District has around 20,000 tons of salt on hand across all 10 District counties with 68 KYTC snow plows along with 16 contract trucks.

Weather forecast updates are available on the NWS Louisville’s Twitter account here, and Facebook account here. The District 3 Twitter account can be found here and the District 3 Facebook account here. Snow & ice information such as priority routes can be found at snowky.ky.gov. Travel maps, road conditions, and snow & ice status can be found on GoKY.ky.gov.

Tips for driving during snow and icy conditions:

• Alter travel plans to avoid driving during the peak of weather activity.

• Drive with a full tank of gas and pack an emergency car kit that contains essential items like blankets, ice scrapers, jumper cables, a flashlight, a cell phone charger, non-perishable snacks and a first aid kit should you get stranded on the road.
• Winterize your vehicle. Check your car battery, tire pressure and tread, and brakes. Ensure your heater, defroster, headlights and windshield wipers are working properly.
• When snow and/or ice are on roadways, drive slowly no matter what type of vehicle you drive. It takes more time and distance to stop your vehicle in poor weather, so brake early and slowly.
• Pay attention to weather advisories and allow more time to travel for routine commutes. Expect delays.
• Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shaded areas. These are all candidates for developing “black ice” – a thin coating of clear ice that can form on the pavement surface that may be difficult to see.
• Maintain a safe distance from snowplows and other heavy highway equipment, and do not pass snowplows on the shoulder.
• Eliminate distractions while driving, such as using a phone and or eating, and always buckle up.

What to do if you see a downed power line:

• Report it to your local utility company
• Do not try to clear it yourself
• Steer clear and avoid anything touching downed lines, including vehicles or tree branches.