Update at 9:26 a.m.:
All WKU classes on all campuses have been canceled for both Thursday and Friday.
Update at 9:15 a.m.
Interstate 65 is impassable at this time through Hart, LaRue and Hardin Counties due to snow and stranded vehicles. Kentucky National Guard members are mobilized and responding. An emergency number is now setup for stranded motorists to request assistance: (270) 765-5978.
Travelers who require immediate attention (only) will be taken to Prichard Community Center in Elizabethtown.
Crashes that occurred at the onset of winter precipitation Wednesday night created long traffic backup segments between Munfordville (Exit 65) and Lebanon Junction (Exit 105). KYTC crews were unable to get to these areas in a timely manner and snows have accumulated around stopped vehicles. With blocked access to the remainder of this stretch of interstate, in between areas have not been plowed and are impassable.
Manpower to close ramps at each interchange along I65 is not available. Law enforcement and other responding agencies along with KYTC staff are working hard with all available resources to remove stranded vehicles and snow. Risk of becoming stranded remains high. Please do not attempt to access I65 through these mile points at this time.
Updates will be provided as progress is made in clearing the interstate.
Update at 7:59 a.m.:
The Kentucky National Guard mobilized this morning to assist motorists on I-65 and I-24 who have been stranded since late last night.
Traffic has been at a standstill on parts of I-65 for up to 12 hours on parts on the interstate. National Guard personnel are also shadowing ambulances in Hardin County, which has been hit by as much as 16 inches of snow. The guard is helping ambulances negotiate the difficult road conditions to get those needing help to the hospital.
A Kentucky National Guard spokesman this morning said many guard soldiers were having difficulty getting to their mobilization centers this morning, as they were encountering the same impassable road conditions as everyone else.
Update at 7:22 a.m.:
Over a foot of snow is on the ground in parts of our listening area. Radcliff has made the NPR national newscasts during Morning Edition with up to 16 inches of snow.
Elizabethtown is reporting 12 inches, with Morgantown in Butler County reporting 12-16 inches.
Bowling Green and Glasgow have at least 6 inches of accumulation, with the number growing as the snow continues.
Update at 6:34 a.m.:
The major problems on I-65 appear to be taking place between Barren and Hart counties, and up through Elizabethtown and Louisville. Heavy snowfall and slick road conditions have led to numerous early morning accidents that have caused lane closures and delays.
All four lanes of the Bluegrass Parkway were blocked at mile point 2 this morning following an accident.
Check 511.ky.gov for the latest on road conditions.
Update at 5:30 a.m.:
From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet office in Elizabethtown:
Roads are nearly impassable this morning all across District 4.
I-65 and Bluegrass Parkway are at a standstill. KY 313 is also blocked. Other road traffic is moving slowly.
Wreckers are working to remove stranded vehicles on interstate and parkway routes but are also having trouble navigating driving conditions. KYTC drivers are also having difficulties navigating slick roads and around stalled vehicles.
Snow continues at a heavy rate. KYTC crews are plowing. Some contract trucks are also blocked in stoppage on the interstate. This has further complicated snow removal efforts.
Risk of becoming stranded is high. Please do not travel unless absolutely necessary this morning.
Update at 4:10 a.m.:
I65 is mostly stopped or barely moving through District 4 (Between Cave City and Lebanon Junction).
Road conditions are making travel extremely difficult and stranded vehicles are blocking many areas of the road. Responders are having a difficult time getting to stranded motorists. While requests have been made to get plow and salt trucks to these locations, KYTC vehicles are also being blocked by stalled traffic. I65 from Mile Points 58-83 is a construction zone with reduced shoulder widths.
Roads that would provide alternate routes are not any better. Bluegrass Parkway, US 31W, KY 313 and other routes are blocked and/or extremely slick.
Crews are working with all available resources but are unable to keep up with precipitation rates and requests to assist in blocked locations.
We will continue to update clearing progress.
Please do not travel if possible. Risk of becoming stranded is high.
Update at 4:45 pm:
All Lindsey Wilson College day and evening classes are canceled for the main campus for Thursday, March 5.
Update at 3:30 p.m.:
All campuses of South Central Kentucky Community and Technical College will be closed on Thursday March 5 due to the inclement weather conditions. This includes all day and evening classes.
Update at 2:47 pm:
WKU's Bowling Green campus is canceling classes beginning at 4 pm Wednesday, with all classes also canceled for Thursday and Friday.
University offices will be closed Thursday, with only essential personnel to report.
Update at 1:51 pm:
Our listening area is under a Winter Storm Warning until noon central Thursday.
Heavy snow and sleet is expected to hit our listening area Wednesday evening, with most of the snow coming after midnight. Lows with be around 20, and total snow, sleet, and ice accumulation will vary across the region:
The highest amounts of snow and ice accumulation in our listening will impact the Owensboro and Elizabethtown area, with 8-11 inches of total accumulation possible by tomorrow morning.
Just below those areas, a number of counties—including Logan, Butler, most of Warren, Edmonson, Hart, Green, and Taylor counties—is expected to get between 5-8 inches of snow and ice accumulation by Thursday. That includes the city of Bowling Green.
And just below Bowling Green, a stretch of counties in southern Kentucky and northern Tennessee, including Simpson, Allen, most of Barren, Monroe, and Cumberland are forecast to get 3-5 inches of total accumulation.
On Thursday, additional snow showers are expected until noon, with additional accumulation of another inch or more. Highs will only reach the upper 20s, with lows around 10 degrees Thursday evening.
Original post:
WKU-Glasgow will close at 7pm Wednesday. Classes that begin at 5 pm or later are canceled.
WKU's Elizabethtown and Fort Knox campuses will close at 3 p.m. CT\4 p.m. ET Wednesday and will remain closed Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
WKU-Owensboro is closing at 12 p.m. Wednesday due to impending snow and ice.
Stay connected with WKU Public Radio on air and online for further weather updates.