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Kentucky's Winter Weather Awareness Week: What you need to know

The start of the winter season is knocking on our doorstep and now is the time to get prepared!

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The week of Dec. 3 through Dec. 9, 2023 is Winter Weather Awareness Week in Kentucky. 

While we have only seen a trace amount of snow at Muhammad Ali Louisville International Airport so far, this week is a reminder that the start of the winter season is knocking on our doorstep and now is the time to prepare.

Thursday, Dec. 21, at 10:27 p.m. ET will mark the official start to winter! This is called the winter solstice, when the Earth's pole has reached maximum tilt away from the sun. Perhaps you have heard it be referred to as the “shortest day of the year.” The day is still 24 hours, however it does feature the least amount of daylight. 

The sun will rise at 7:56 a.m. and set at 5:26 p.m. on Dec. 21 and Dec. 22 this year, leaving us with just 9.5 hours of daylight those days. 

Thankfully, the duration of daylight increases right after that!

Credit: WHAS11

By Jan. 21, we will have gained 36 minutes of daylight and the increase continues until the summer solstice in June.  

All of that to say, we are well on our way to experiencing the ups and downs that winter brings to Kentuckiana! 

The National Weather Service (NWS) Louisville office is sharing daily tips on social media this week that will help you become “Weather Ready” in all types of winter weather including ice storms, winter storms, storm squalls, high wind, and heavy rain, as well as the dangers associated with it. 

The NWS will continuing posting information on social media all week. You can follow the Louisville office on X at @NWSLouisville as well as on Facebook.

There are many alerts that are specific to the winter time that the NWS issues when impactful weather is headed our way. You can get familiar with what each alert means with the definitions and criteria listed below. More information to keep you and your family safe can be found here.  

Credit: weather.gov

Winter Weather Headlines Issued by NWS Louisville

Winter Weather AdvisoryFor impactful snow accumulations up to 4 inches, or a combination of impactful snow, sleet, or freezing rain expected to occur in the next 2 to 3 days.

Winter Storm Watch: Any combination of snow, sleet, or freezing rain averaging 4 inches or more expected to occur in the next 2 to 3 days.

Winter Storm WarningAny combination of snow, sleet, or freezing rain averaging 4 inches or more expected to occur in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Ice Storm WarningA freezing rain event is expected in the next 24 to 48 hours that will produce ice accumulations of 1/4 of an inch or more.

Blizzard WarningA combination of sustained winds or frequent wind gusts of at least 35 mph and visibilities of less than 1/4 of a mile due to snow and/or blowing snow for at least three straight hours. This is expected to occur in the next 24 to 48 hours. 

Snow Squall WarningIntense bursts of snow with gusty winds causing whiteout conditions.

Wind Chill WatchWind chill values are expected to fall to -25 degrees F or less with at least a 10 mph wind in the next two to three days.

Wind Chill AdvisoryWind chill values are expected to fall to between -10 degrees F and -24 degrees F with at least a 10 mph wind in the next 24 to 36 hours.

Wind Chill WarningWind chill values are expected to fall to -25 degrees F or less with at least a 10 mph wind in the next 24 to 48 hours.

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