A large and intense area of low pressure moved across the Tennessee valley and eventually up the east coast on December 18th and 19th. The initial precipitation began as a heavy wet snow on Friday afternoon December 18th. Accumulations around eastern Kentucky ranged between 1 and 4 inches. Ridgetop locations along the Virginia and west Virginia borders saw as much as 6 inches, with 13 inches reported on Flatwood Mountain in Pike County. This initial round of snow fell generally between 2 and 6 pm on the 18th.
After several hours of nothing but rain, another round of widespread and intense snowfall began at around 10 pm. The Jackson weather office picked up 2.6 inches of snow between 10 pm and midnight on the 18th and there were 11 inches on the ground by early Saturday morning. By 7 am on Saturday December 19th 5 to 7 inches of snow blanketed the ground across much of southeast Kentucky. The highest snowfall totals for this event were 16 inches on Black Mountain, 13 inches on Flatwood Mountain in Pike County, and 11 inches at the Jackson weather office. Numerous trees and power lines were downed by the heavy wet snow with widespread and long lasting power outages reported across the area.

Winter Weather in PIKE, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:30:00 to 18-DEC-09 18:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Pike county emergency management reported a power line that had been downed by heavy wet snow was on fire in some trees along River Road in Mouthcard.

Winter Storm in OWSLEY, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The power was out in Booneville.

Winter Storm in LEE, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:30:00 to 18-DEC-09 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Power was out in Heidelberg.

Winter Weather in MORGAN, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

An observer reported that 2 tree limbs 10-14 inches in diameter had fallen due to the weight of heavy wet snow on them.

Winter Weather in MORGAN, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 04:24:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Three inches of heavy, wet snow had accumulated near Moon. Snow had accumulated on power lines with power flickering because of it.

Winter Weather in BELL, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:15:00 to 18-DEC-09 16:15:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Two inches of snow was reported on the ground by the Middlesboro rescue squad.

Winter Weather in LETCHER, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 16:08:00 to 18-DEC-09 16:23:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A trained weather observer reported 1 inch of snow accumulation in a fifteen minuter period. The flakes were the size of silver dollar coins.

Winter Weather in PIKE, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:37:00 to 18-DEC-09 15:37:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

An inch of new snowfall was measured in Elkhorn City. The snowflakes were the size of half dollars and fell in a one hour period with snow covering the roads.

Heavy Snow in MAGOFFIN, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 07:30:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Total snowfall from event is 6 inches.

Heavy Snow in OWSLEY, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:30:00 to 19-DEC-09 00:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A weather observer estimated that 3.5 to 4 inches of snow had fallen in Island City. Widespread power outages were also reported.

Winter Weather in BELL, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 13:45:00 to 18-DEC-09 15:45:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Two and a half inches of snow was reported on the ground in Pineville.

Heavy Snow in LEE, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reported that 5-6 inches of snow had fallen throughout Lee county.

Winter Weather in FLOYD, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 21:17:00 to 19-DEC-09 00:20:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

One and six tenths of an inch of snow had fallen 3 miles west of Prestonsburg. The snow began falling again at 917 pm. The storm total snowfall at the time of report was 2.5 inches.

Winter Weather in BREATHITT, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 00:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

An inch of snow was measured up to 1130 pm with an additional inch falling between 1130 pm and 1230 am at the weather office.

Heavy Snow in LETCHER, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 17:00:00 to 20-DEC-09 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Eight to ten inches of snow were still on the ground around Whitesburg. Trees were still falling across roads due to the weight of snow on the branches.

Heavy Snow in BREATHITT, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Five and four tenths of an inch of snow had fallen since 10 pm Friday night near Talbert.

Winter Weather in BREATHITT, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:30:00 to 18-DEC-09 18:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

An inch of fluffy snow had accumulated at the weather office after having changed from rain back to snow at around 10 pm.

Heavy Snow in HARLAN, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Four to 5 inches of snow had accumulated in Harlan mainly between 2 and 7 pm.

Heavy Snow in JOHNSON, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

An estimated 3.5 inches of snow had fallen in Paintsville between 2 pm and midnight. Most of the snow fell between 930 pm and midnight.

Winter Storm in LESLIE, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Five and three quarters of an inch of snow had fallen since 3 pm on the 18th. Numerous trees and power lines were still down around the county. Many secondary roads were still impassable due to the heavy wet snow and downed trees and power lines. Power was out across the county with most residents without power as of report issuance.

Heavy Snow in BREATHITT, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Ten inches of snow was on the ground. The total snowfall from 10 pm Friday night through early Saturday morning was 11 inches.

Winter Weather in FLOYD, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Three inches of snow was reported on the ground along US 23 near Prestonsburg.

Winter Storm in MCCREARY, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The McCreary county emergency manager reported that 37,000 customers state wide were without power as of 2pm on the 19th. The southern Kentucky RECC reported that 3500 customers in McCreary county alone were without power. The Cumberland Valley RECC reported that 250-300 customers were without power in McCreary county as broken or damaged power lines were being replaced or repaired.

Heavy Snow in MORGAN, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 05:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Five inches of snow had accumulated along Route 205 on the ridge along the Morgan and Wolfe county line.

Winter Weather in FLOYD, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 23:20:00 to 19-DEC-09 05:57:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A total of 3 inches of snow had fallen in just west of Prestonsburg since 1120 pm Friday night. A total of 4.9 inches was on the ground.

Heavy Snow in BREATHITT, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 06:02:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Four inches of snow had fallen since around 10 pm Friday night with light snow continuing.

Heavy Snow in OWSLEY, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A caller reported that 4 to 5 inches of snow were on the ground in Sturgeon.

Heavy Snow in PERRY, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A snow depth of 4.5 inches was measured near Ned.

Winter Weather in WAYNE, KENTUCKY
From 19-DEC-09 00:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 03:55:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

One to 2 inches of snow were on the ground in Monticello.

Winter Storm in LESLIE, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The 911 dispatch center reported that trees and power lines were down across the county.

Winter Weather in JOHNSON, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter measured three quarters of an inch of snow 4 miles west of Paintsville.

Heavy Snow in PIKE, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:30:00 to 18-DEC-09 19:10:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Four to 5 inches of snow was reported on US 23 near the Kentucky Virginia state line 1 mile south of Shelby Gap.

Winter Weather in WAYNE, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Two to 3 inches of snow was reported on the ground across eastern Wayne county. The bulk of the snow fell between 2 and 6 pm before changing over to rain between 6 and 7 pm.

Winter Weather in PIKE, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:30:00 to 18-DEC-09 18:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

One and a half inches of snow was reported on the ground just outside of Pikeville.

Heavy Snow in HARLAN, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A resident near the base of Pine Mountain reported 4-5 inches of snow on the ground.

Heavy Snow in PIKE, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 22:45:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thirteen inches of snow had fallen on Flatwood Mountain since 2 pm.

Winter Storm in PERRY, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The Perry county fire dept reported trees down across Highways 463 and 699 in southern Perry county.

Heavy Snow in PIKE, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Six inches of snow fell 1 mile northwest of Meta.

Heavy Snow in LESLIE, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

At least 7 inches of snow had fallen since 10 pm Friday night. Power has been out since 830 pm on December 18th.

Winter Storm in PERRY, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 18:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The Perry County fire dept reported trees down in the Vicco area. Power outages were reported in the Woodland section of Hazard.

Winter Storm in PIKE, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 19:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Pike County emergency management reported that numerous trees and power lines were down across the county.

Winter Storm in BREATHITT, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 7.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Several large trees were down across Highway 30 between Highway 15 and the airport.

Winter Weather in CLAY, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:30:00 to 18-DEC-09 18:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

An inch of snow fell in Manchester.

Heavy Snow in ELLIOTT, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 15:30:00 to 18-DEC-09 21:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Three and a half inches of snow had accumulated near Sandy Hook and the snow was picking up again.

Heavy Snow in KNOTT, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:30:00 to 18-DEC-09 18:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The state highway garage reported as much as 4-5 inches of snow on the ground countywide.

Heavy Snow in JACKSON, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

An observer measure 6 inches of snow at 9 am in Alcorn.

Heavy Snow in OWSLEY, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Five inches of snow had fallen in Island City since 10 pm Friday night.

Winter Weather in WHITLEY, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A an inch of snow was reported on the ground. A tree was downed by the heavy wet snow in Corbin and the snow had changed to rain and was turning the snow into slush.

Winter Weather in PIKE, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous noninjury accidents were reported along KY 632 on Phelps Mountain, US 23 on Dorton Mountain, and US 460 on Card Mountain near Pikeville.

Winter Weather in MCCREARY, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 13:50:00 to 18-DEC-09 17:50:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

McCreary county emergency management reported that Highway 92 was closed at the intersection with 1470 due to slick roads. Approximately 20 other accidents had also been reported around the county. Two to 3 inches of snow were estimated to be on the ground.

Heavy Snow in WOLFE, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Five inches of snow were reported on the ground near Flat.

Heavy Snow in HARLAN, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:15:00 to 18-DEC-09 18:15:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

The television media reported an estimated snowfall of 6 inches on Black Mountain.

Winter Weather in OWSLEY, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:30:00 to 18-DEC-09 18:20:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Two inches of snow was estimated in Eastern Owsley county. In western Breathitt county, hills were icy on Highway 30 near Turkey.

Heavy Snow in MARTIN, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Power was out in Inez. Five inches of snow was on the ground with fine snow still falling.

Heavy Snow in KNOX, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Seven inches of snow had fallen in southern Knox county.

Winter Weather in FLEMING, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

One and a half inches of snow fell in Mount Carmel.

Heavy Snow in MORGAN, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 06:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Five and a half inches of snow fell 10 miles north of Salyersville.

Winter Weather in PIKE, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 15:30:00 to 18-DEC-09 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Three inches of snow was measured on the ground on Card Mountain along Highway 460 in southern Pike county near Dorton. The snow began falling around 330 pm.

Winter Weather in WHITLEY, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 18:10:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Two inches of snow were reported on the ground with numerous car accidents county wide.

Heavy Snow in BELL, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 18:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Bell county dispatch estimated 6 to 7 inches of snow on the ground at the Bell County courthouse in Pineville.

Winter Weather in FLOYD, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 22:45:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

One and a half to 2 inches of snow had fallen 4 miles west of Prestonsburg since around 10 pm.

Heavy Snow in PIKE, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 22:45:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Four inches of snow had fallen since around 2pm with snow still coming down at Lick Creek.

Heavy Snow in FLOYD, KENTUCKY
From 19-DEC-09 00:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 07:35:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

An NWS employee reported a measured snowfall of 3.6 inches since midnight. The storm total snowfall west of Prestonsburg was 5.5 inches.

Heavy Snow in WHITLEY, KENTUCKY
From 18-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 03:50:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Six inches of snow had fallen at the Williamsburg Airport with 3 inches on the ground in Williamsburg.