A prolonged ice and snow storm began around just after midnight Tuesday January 27 and continued through 11 am Wednesday January 28. The mixed freezing rain and snow that fell over central Kentucky was just one aspect of a widespread overrunning event that brought destructive winter weather from Texas, through the Ohio Valley, into New England. Arctic air centered across the Upper Midwest supplied low level cold air. Several disturbances moved east across a nearly stationary front stalled across the Tennessee Valley.
Snow, mixing with sleet, brought accumulations of around 2 to 4 inches from areas just south of the Ohio River through Frankfort and the northern Bluegrass Region by dawn on January 27th. Farther south during this time, ice accumulations ranging from one half to just over one inch stretched from Ohio county eastward through the southern Bluegrass Region. Along the Tennessee border, ice on elevated surfaces averaged one quarter of an inch.
During the afternoon of the 27th and into the morning hours on the 28th, freezing rain developed along and north of interstate 64 and brought widespread ice accumulations averaging 1/2 inch. Rain fell over south central Kentucky. Icing lead to widespread tree damage and power outages by the morning of the 28th. Colder air arrived after dawn on the 28th. Freezing rain changed back to snow with additional accumulations of 1 to 3 inches along and north of Interstate 64.
This winter storm brought the most widespread damage due to icing in recent memory across Kentucky. Ice accumulated over 1 inch across central portions of the Commonwealth, including Grayson, Ohio, Butler and Breckinridge counties. Over 600,000 residences lost power, exceeding the number of outages due to the remnants of hurricane Ike last September. Utility companies stated that this event brought the greatest number of outages from any weather event in history.
The almost continuous rain or snow over a 36 hour period brought 3 to 4 inches of precipitation over a wide area and even lead to some minor flooding.

Winter Storm in CASEY, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain through mid morning on Tuesday January 27th brought ice accretions of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Rain changed to snow after dawn Wednesday. Another inch of snow accumulated.

Winter Storm in CLARK, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain, mixed with sleet at times, deposited 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of ice countywide before changing to rain by mid morning Tuesday, January 27th. Snow developed after dawn Wednesday, adding another inch.

Winter Storm in EDMONSON, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 00:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain deposited 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice countywide prior to changing over to rain by mid morning Tuesday January 27th. Snow developed after sunrise Wednesday, adding another inch.

Winter Storm in FAYETTE, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain, mixing with sleet, deposited up to an inch of ice by Tuesday morning January 27th. Light freezing rain during the overnight hours changed to snow after dawn Wednesday. An addition 1 to 2 inches of snow fell.

Winter Storm in GARRARD, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain brought ice accretions of 1/4 to 1/2 inch through mid morning on Tuesday January 27th. Snow, developing after dawn Wednesday, brought an additional inch.

Winter Storm in GRAYSON, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 00:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain brought ice accumulations of between 1/2 and 1 inch through mid morning on Tuesday January 27th. Rain changed to snow after dawn Wednesday, adding another 1 inch.

Winter Storm in GREEN, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain brought ice accumulations between 1/4 and 1/2 inch through mid morning Tuesday January 27th. Snow, developing after dawn Wednesday, added another inch.

Winter Storm in HANCOCK, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 00:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain and sleet brought ice accumulations of between 1/2 and 1 inch through mid morning Tuesday January 27th. Rain changed to snow after dawn Wednesday, adding an additional 1 to 2 inches of accumulation.

Winter Storm in HARDIN, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 00:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain brought ice accretions of 1/2 to 1 inch through early morning Tuesday January 27th. Rain changed to snow after dawn on the 28th. An additional 1 to 2 inches of snow fell Wednesday morning. The loss of power attributed to the icing led to the death of a woman in her unheated mobile home Thursday, January 29th.

Winter Storm in MARION, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 00:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain brought around 1/2 inch of ice countywide before changing to rain by mid-morning Tuesday, January 27th. Rain changed to snow after dawn Wednesday and added an additional 1 inch.

Winter Storm in MEADE, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 00:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow brought 2 to 3 inches of icy accumulations through mid-morning Tuesday January 27th. Freezing rain developed later in the afternoon and continued through the morning hours Wednesday, adding 1/2 inch of ice. Snow, developing around dawn Wednesday, brought another 2 to 3 inches of accumulation.

Winter Storm in METCALFE, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain brought 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice before changing to rain by mid morning on Tuesday January 27. Rain changed to snow after dawn on Wednesday, adding an additional inch of snow.

Winter Storm in NICHOLAS, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 13:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Sleet and snow during the morning hours of Tuesday, January 27th brought 2 to 4 inches accumulation countywide. Freezing rain developed late in the afternoon, continuing through Wednesday morning. Ice accretions ranged up to 1/2 inch. Snow, beginning after dawn Wednesday, added another 1 to 2 inches.

Winter Storm in OHIO, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 00:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain left ice accretions as high as 1 inch through the mid-morning hours Tuesday, January 27th. Rain changed to snow after dawn Wednesday, adding another inch of snow.

Winter Storm in OLDHAM, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 00:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snow, mixed with sleet, brought 2 to 4 inches countywide through mid morning Tuesday January 27th. Freezing rain developed later in the afternoon and added an additional 3/4 inch of ice before changing to snow after dawn Wednesday. Two to 3 inches of snow fell Wednesday prior to noon.

Winter Storm in RUSSELL, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain deposited 1/4 inch of ice prior to changing over to rain early Tuesday, January 27th. Rain switched over to snow after dawn on Wednesday, adding an additional inch.

Winter Storm in SCOTT, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snow and sleet deposited 3 to 5 inches countywide through 9 am Tuesday, January 27th. Freezing rain then developed later that afternoon and brought ice accretions of 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. Snow, arriving after dawn Wednesday, added an additional 1 to 2 inches.

Winter Storm in SHELBY, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 00:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Sleet, mixing with snow, accumulated to a depth of 1 to 2 inches through mid-morning Tuesday, January 27th. Freezing rain developed later that afternoon and brought around 0.5 inches of ice through the early morning hours Wednesday. Snow added an additional 1 to 2 inches after dawn Wednesday.

Winter Storm in HARRISON, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A sleet and snow mix brought 2 to 4 inches accumulation through mid morning Tuesday, January 27. Freezing rain developed later that afternoon and continued through dawn Wednesday. Ice accretion reached 3/4 of an inch. Snow, developing after dawn Wednesday, added another 1 to 2 inches.
A couple died from carbon monoxide poisoning Thursday, January 29th. A portable generator used as to heat the powerless home is the suspect.

Winter Storm in HART, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain brought icing amounts around 1/2 inch countywide before changing to rain mid morning Tuesday, January 27th. Snow developed after dawn Wednesday and added an additional inch.

Winter Storm in BARREN, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 00:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain, beginning after midnight Tuesday January 27th, and continuing through the mid morning hours, deposited 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice. Rain changed to snow after dawn Wednesday, adding an additional inch.

Winter Storm in MERCER, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain deposited up to 3/4 inch on elevated surfaces before changing to rain by late morning, Tuesday January 27th. Rain changed to freezing rain after dawn Wednesday, adding 1 inch of snow.

Winter Storm in NELSON, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 00:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Freezing rain, mixed with sleet, brought icy 1 to 2 inch accumulations countywide through mid-morning Tuesday, January 27th. Freezing rain developed later that afternoon and glazed surfaces with 1/4 inch of ice. Rain changed to snow after dawn Wednesday and added an additional 1 inch.
In Bardstown, a woman died from a fall while moving a heater in the darkened home.

Winter Storm in HENRY, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snow, mixing with sleet, brought 3 to 5 inches through mid morning Tuesday, January 27th. Freezing rain developed later in the afternoon. Icing continued from Tuesday afternoon through dawn Wednesday. Ice accretion amounts averaged 1/2 inch. Snow brought an additional 1 to 2 inches after dawn Wednesday.

Winter Storm in JEFFERSON, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 00:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Sleet, mixing with snow at times, brought 2 to 4 inches from south to north across the Louisville metro area through 8 am Tuesday, February 27th. Freezing rain beginning later that afternoon brought an additional 1/2 inch of ice accretion. Freezing rain changed to snow after dawn Wednesday. An additional 2 to 3 inches of snow fell. The icing led to widespread power outages across the Louisville metro area. An estimated 230,000 home and businesses lost power. Many residents stayed without power for up to one week. A portable generator lead to carbon monoxide poisoning that killed 3 persons in a Louisville home Thursday.

Winter Storm in JESSAMINE, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain from midnight through 9 am Tuesday, January 27th brought ice accumulations averaging 3/4 of an inch countywide. Rain changed to snow after dawn Wednesday, adding an additional 1 to 2 inches.

Winter Storm in LARUE, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 00:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Freezing rain brought ice accumulations of 3/4 to 1 inch before changing to rain by mid morning Tuesday, January 27th. Rain changed to snow after dawn Wednesday, adding another inch of snow.

Winter Storm in LINCOLN, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain mixed with sleet brought ice accumulations of up to 1/2 inch before changing to rain by mid morning Tuesday, January 27th. Rain changed to snow after dawn Wednesday, adding an additional 1 inch.

Winter Storm in MADISON, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain brought ice accumulations of one half inch before changing to rain by mid morning Tuesday January 27th. Rain changed to snow after dawn Wednesday and added another inch accumulation.

Winter Storm in SPENCER, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 00:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Sleet, mixed with freezing rain, brought icy accumulations of over 1 inch through mid-morning Tuesday, January 27th. Freezing rain beginning Tuesday afternoon coated surfaces with an additional 1/2 inch of ice. Snow, falling after dawn Wednesday, added an additional 1 to 2 inches.

Winter Storm in TAYLOR, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain deposited 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice through mid morning Tuesday, January 27th. Rain changed to snow after dawn Wednesday and added another inch.

Winter Storm in TRIMBLE, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snow, mixing with sleet, brought 3 to 5 inches county wide prior to diminishing by mid-morning Tuesday, January 27th. Freezing rain from late Tuesday afternoon through early Wednesday brought accretions averaging 3/4 of an inch. Snow developed after dawn Wednesday and added another 1 to 2 inches.

Winter Storm in WARREN, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 00:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain left icing ranging from 1/4 to 1/2 inch countywide prior to changing to rain by late morning Tuesday, January 27th. Rain switched to snow after dawn Wednesday, adding another inch.

Winter Storm in WASHINGTON, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain and sleet brought icy accumulations of around one inch through mid morning Tuesday, January 27th. Rain changed to snow after dawn on Wednesday, adding an additional inch.

Winter Storm in WOODFORD, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain and sleet accumulated between 1 and 2 inches through mid morning Tuesday, January 27th. Freezing rain beginning Tuesday afternoon glazed surfaces with 1/2 inch ice through dawn Wednesday. Snow between dawn and noon Wednesday accumulated to one inch.

Winter Storm in LOGAN, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 00:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain continued through 8 am Tuesday, January 27th. 1/4 to 1/2 inches of ice brought scattered power outages and tree damage, especially across the northern portion of the county. Rain changed to snow after dawn on Wednesday, adding another 1 inch.

Winter Storm in SIMPSON, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 00:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain brought 1/4 inch of ice countywide before changing to rain by 8 am Tuesday, January 27th. Rain switched to snow after dawn Wednesday, adding an additional inch.

Winter Storm in BARREN, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 00:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain deposited 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice on exposed surfaces through 9 am Tuesday, January 27th. Rain changed to snow after dawn Wednesday, adding another inch.

Winter Storm in BUTLER, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 00:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain deposited 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice countywide before changing to just rain Tuesday afternoon on January 27th. Snow brought an additional inch after dawn on Wednesday.

Winter Storm in ADAIR, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain brought ice accumulations between one quarter and one half inch before changing to just rain by mid-morning Tuesday January 27th. Snow developed Wednesday morning and averaged around 1 inch.

Winter Storm in ANDERSON, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain, mixed with sleet, brought accumulations varying from one half to three quarters of an inch through mid-morning Tuesday January 27. Rain changed to snow after dawn Wednesday and brought an additional 2 inches countywide.

Winter Storm in BOURBON, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 02:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain brought 1/2 to 3/4 inch ice accumulations county wide through mid-morning on Tuesday, January 27th. Light freezing rain changed to snow after dawn Wednesday. Around 2 inches fell.

Winter Storm in BOYLE, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 01:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain ending around 10 am Tuesday morning January 27th led to ice amounts averaging 1/2 inch county-wide. Around one inch of snow fell on top of the ice Wednesday morning.

Winter Storm in BRECKINRIDGE, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 00:00:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Freezing rain deposited around one inch of ice countywide before changing to just rain during the afternoon of Tuesday January 27th. Rain and sleet quickly changed over to snow after dawn on Wednesday. 1 to 2 inches of snow fell before noon Wednesday.

Winter Storm in BULLITT, KENTUCKY
From 27-JAN-09 00:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Sleet, mixing with snow at times, deposited 1 to 2 inches through 8 am Tuesday, January 27th. Freezing rain developed later that afternoon and continued into the early morning hours on Wednesday. One quarter to one half inch of ice accumulated on exposed surfaces. Rain changed to snow after dawn Wednesday and brought another 2 inches by noon.