National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Heat Persists in the South Central U.S. and Southwest; Heavy rains in the Desert Southwest and Central Plains

Sweltering heat remains across the South-Central Plains, Lower/Middle Mississippi Valley, and the Southwest this week with limited nighttime relief. Thunderstorms will bring heavy rainfall leading to localized flash flooding in portions of the Desert Southwest and central Plains. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across portions of the central Plains into the Northeast. Read More >

Overview

An upper level disturbance and warm front moved through eastern Kentucky during the morning and afternoon of January 8. Precipitation arrived during the early morning hours, beginning as some light freezing rain prior to temperatures quickly warming above freezing by late morning and early afternoon. Numerous areas received a light glazing of ice, leading to several vehicle accidents during the morning. Prior to this, a stretch of nearly two weeks of at or below freezing temperatures led to several instances of water line breaks and leaks in Martin, Floyd, Pike, Perry, and Martin Counties as well as the city of Manchester. Later in the week, record warmth was observed across eastern Kentucky.

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The long stretch of cold resulted in Cumberland Falls freezing up. Courtesy Anthony Roe.
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