We Got Lucky...

A major winter storm is currently underway across portions of the midwest section of the United States this morning bringing freezing rain, sleet and snow to many areas.  This winter storm will no doubt go down into the weather history books.. as people will see ice conditions far worse than what we saw here in January of 2009.  In fact, not only will they have to deal with ice.. but with high winds as well.. gusting to near 50 MPH in spots. 

NOAA - National Weather Service

If this storm system had shift some 100 miles to the south and east, we here in Bullitt County would be facing this devestaing winter storm this morning.  Friends.. we got lucky on this one.  In fact it was too close for comfort.

The graphic this morning show almost half of the United States under sometype of watch, warning or advisory for this winter storm.  From the weather side of things.. this is a very impressive image.  Very seldom do we see this many alerts across the United States at one time.

So what does this winter storm mean for us here locally ?

We will have to deal with two things with this system. 

(1) High Winds.   Very impressive wind fields are being noted with this storm system and as low pressure gets closer to Kentucky, winds tonight will increase and become stronger by Wednesday.  Winds will gust to near 45 MPH across the county by tomorrow.   With that said, the Louisville National Weather Sevice has issued a "Wind Advisory" for Bullitt County.. starting later this afternoon and continuing on into Wednesday.

(2) Heavy Rain.   Rainfall totals with this system for us.. will range from 1-2 inches locally.  A few thunderstorms will be possible later on tonight as a projected line of storms moves through the state.  At this time, severe weather is NOT expected with these storms.   However, a few areas could see some ponding of water on area roads.. so if you are out tonight, use caution on county roadways that are subject to localized flooding.

Once our storm system moves out of the area on Wednesday, we will see rain change over to snow on the back side of the system.  At this time.. snowfall amounts appears to be light and some areas across the state could see maybe 1 inch of snow in heavier bands.

Our next weather system of conern looks to move into the eastern section of the U.S. sometime on Friday and Saturday.   This system bears watching as it could give us a good shot of either rain and snow or just all snow.  Precipitations amounts and type will all depend on the main storm track.   

We'll continue to monitor this and report back later on this week as to our findings.