At Jackson, Spring 2026 was the 2nd warmest on record at 61.6 degrees, exceeded only by 2012 at 62.0 degrees. It was also the 5th driest spring on record at Jackson with only 8.59 inches of precipitation. The month of May averaged slightly cooler and drier than normal.
December 7-13, 2025 marks Winter Weather Preparedness Week across Kentucky!! While the snow is already flying, use this time to start preparing for the winter ahead!
December 1-7 is designated as Winter Weather Awareness Week across Kentucky. Find out more information here, and also check us out on social media throughout the week for Winter Weather related information!
Stay tuned, we will be rescheduling for a later date!
As we continue through the winter season, make sure you are prepared. This website has many great resources for winter safety and preparedness. Feel free to look at it, share it...but most importantly - USE IT! Happy Winter!
Are you a trained spotter/HAM Radio operator? 1) Thank you for helping the NWS! 2) December 2nd is #Skywarn23 - A day to acknowledge you! 3) Help us show the world the amazing spotter network we have by checking into this map on December 2nd!
Today we reflect back on this past year since the historic flooding that impacted our lives forever. Our hearts are with eastern Kentucky. For a look back on the event, visit www.weather.gov/jkl/July2022Flooding
Are you a trained Weather Spotter or HAM Radio Operator? We want to celebrate YOU! Skywarn Recognition Day is coming up on December 3rd!
NWS Jackson, Radar Life Extension Program (SLEP) Upgrade and Downtime Beginning 14 October 2022, the KJKL WSR-88D radar operated by the National Weather Service in Jackson, KY will be down for approximately 7 days for the replacement of the generator, fuel tanks, and accompanying components. This generator update is part of SLEP, that will keep the radar viable into the 2030s.
A slow moving cold front will lead to the development of showers and thunderstorms at times across eastern Kentucky through Wednesday, with excessive rainfall a concern.
A cold front working across the OH Valley will lead to showers and thunderstorms later this evening and into tonight. These will produce heavy rain rates leading to a threat for more flooding.
Many areas have seen or area seeing major flooding across eastern Kentucky over the past several days. Additional flash flooding will be possible tonight into Friday.
10 Years Ago Eastern Kentucky Brushed by a Powerful Derecho - June 29th, 2012
Locations generally along and south of the Mountain Parkway will have the best chance for seeing severe thunderstorms, with damaging winds the primary threat.
We revisit the March 2nd, 2012 tornado outbreak on the 10-year anniversary.
A wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow will affect Eastern Kentucky this morning. Ice accumulations are expected to average a tenth of an inch or less, with snow and sleet accumulations of less than an inch.
A passing cold front allowed for the change over to snow during the late evening hours of the 19th and into the early morning hours of the 20th. Snowfall in most locations generally ranged from 1 to 3 inches, with locally higher amounts near the I-64 corridor.
Heavy snow developed across eastern Kentucky on Thursday, January 6th as potent low pressure system developed over the Deep South in the morning, rode up the spine of the southern Appalachians during the afternoon, and off to the northeast Thursday night - a climatologically favored track for heavy snow accumulations across eastern Kentucky.
NWS storm survey team found damage that was the result of an EF-1 tornado with maximum wind speeds estimated at 95 mph. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted, a barn was collapsed, and the roof of an auto repair facility was damaged.
A stalled boundary across the region will lead to widespread heavy rainfall for much of Kentucky through tonight. A flood watch has been issued for portions of eastern Kentucky and points westward, where the best potential for excessive rainfall exists. Generally 1 to 3 inches is expected across eastern Kentucky during the duration of the event.
Severe weather damaging winds gusts
The major storm system created as Hurricane Sandy merged with a strengthening upper level disturbance brought wide ranging and severe impacts to the eastern United States between Sunday October 28th and Wednesday October 31st. Record storm surge, damaging hurricane force winds, inland flooding and blizzard conditions were all reported with the storm. Snow fell across portions of East KY.
Severe threat for Damaging Wind Gusts today
NWS Jackson, KY Incident Meteorologists (IMETs) have deployed to western wildfires during
Tropical Depression Fred will bring heavy rains to portions of the Appalachians. A good portion of southeast Kentucky could see between 1 to 2 inches of rainfall, with locally higher amounts possible. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect through 11 AM EDT Wednesday for this area.
storms, severe, damaging winds
FFW, Heavy rain, flash flooding
A strong cold front will bring a threat of severe thunderstorms to east Kentucky tonight. Damaging winds will be the main threat; however, isolated tornadoes are also possible, especially along and west of I-75. Isolated flash flooding will also be possible, where thunderstorms persist. Outside of thunderstorms, strong south to southwest winds will occur tonight and a wind advisory is in effect.
Flood watch and between 2-4 inches of QPF expected across eastern Kentucky this weekend. Flash Flooding and River Flooding potential.
Another storm system is expected to lead to moderate to heavy snow and some icing from this evening to Thursday evening. Some uncertainty remains with the track and timing of this system, which will ultimately determine duration of precipitation types or types in any given location. Continue to monitor the forecast for additional details and updates.
Precipitation has tapered to a mix of freezing drizzle and flurries. However, power outages continue and new outages are possible. Trees and tree limbs continue to fall and numerous roads are blocked and many roads remain icy and untreated. Travel this morning will be difficult to nearly impossible in many areas.
A significant winter storm is expected to impact eastern Kentucky through early Tuesday. Freezing rain, sleet, and some snow are all expected. Power outages, tree damage, and difficult to nearly impossible travel conditions will occur.
Devastating floods occurred across southeastern Kentucky, southwestern West Virginia, western Virginia, and northeastern Tennessee in late January and early February of 1957. In eastern Kentucky, the headwaters of the Big Sandy, Kentucky and Cumberland Rivers were especially hard hit.
Widespread light snow will continue for some areas through the morning hours. All of the snow should end by early afternoon, but a few flurries could linger behind. Some light additional snow accumulations will be possible this morning. Slick spots will remain a possibility through the morning hours. Exercise caution if traveling.
Scattered to numerous snow showers will impact eastern Kentucky through tonight. The snow showers may mix with rain this afternoon. Light accumulations are possible, mainly tonight.
The (606)666-8000 phone number with access observational, forecast, and climate information has been repaired.
A potent storm system will bring moderate to heavy accumulating snowfall to eastern Kentucky this afternoon into tonight. This will affect the evening commute. A winter storm warning and winter weather advisory remain in effect mainly from this afternoon through early Christmas morning.
Snow across the higher elevations of southeastern Kentucky will taper off from west to east this Monday. For elevations above 2000 feet, 1 to 4 inches of storm total snowfall accumulation is expected, leading to a slick Monday morning commute.
A potent storm system has pushed colder air into eastern Kentucky, resulting in snow across the area. Light snow accumulations are expected through mid-day Tuesday.
The NOAA Climate Prediction Center just released their outlook for this upcoming Winter 2020/2021. It looks like eastern Kentucky will be favoring a warmer but wetter than normal winter. Read more about it here...
The first significant frost of the fall is expected tonight into Saturday morning. Those with sensitive plants should take action now to protect them.
Severe thunderstorms affected portions of eastern KY in advance of a cold front during the late afternoon and evening hours of June 10th, 2020. A summary of reports is below:
Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are forecast this afternoon and evening. Strong to damaging wind gusts, hail, and heavy rain will be the primary threats. However, an isolated tornado is also possible.
May is officially in the record books! It was wet, with at least a trace of rain reported each day for 2/3 of the month. London even ended up 4" above normal for rainfall while rainfall at Jackson was near normal. Despite some warm days, a record cold snap at the start of the month and below normal temperatures to end the month kept our average temps below normal.
Valley temperatures will dip into the 20s to low 30s again late tonight and early Sunday morning. Frost is anticipated.
A hard freeze is ongoing this morning. Valley temperatures will dip into the 20s to low 30s again Saturday night as well with frost anticipated.
April was colder and wetter than average across East KY.
Widespread subfreezing temperatures are expected late tonight. A freeze warning has been issued.
Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible tonight as a strong low pressure system tracks west of the East KY.
A wind advisory will continue through early afternoon.
A Freeze Warning has been issued for tonight into Saturday Morning.
A Freeze Watch has been issued for Friday night Through Saturday Morning.
A few severe storms capable of hail and damaging winds will be possible this afternoon. The better threat for more organized severe weather will come late this evening into the overnight hours as a complex of storms pushes east across the region. Damaging winds, large hail, and a brief tornado will all be possible.
Severe graphics for tonight and Wednesday
Steady rain will continue across east Kentucky through the early morning hours today. Some additional flooding will be a possibility.
Recent heavy rainfall and continued light to moderate rain is leading to ongoing flooding and portions of eastern Kentucky are dealing with significant river flooding.
A strong storm system will bring moderate to heavy rainfall to eastern Kentucky today and into tonight. A Flood Watch has been issued for portions of eastern Kentucky where up to 2.50 inches of rainfall are possible. This may result in minor flooding of low lying areas.
http://New Impact Based Flash Flood Warnings Coming This Winter https://www.weather.gov/media/wrn/FFW-IBW-factsheet.pdf
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued until 2 am tonight for the shaded areas of eastern Kentucky. Storms are expected to roll into the area after 10 pm, with the threat ending by 2 am. Damaging winds and torrential will be the main impacts from these storms. Be sure to have a way to receive warnings or weather information prior to going to bed tonight.
Severe thunderstorms will be possible through 11 pm with damaging winds in excess of 70 mph and large hail up to 1.5 inches being the main threats. Locally heavy rain will be secondary threat. Be prepared to seek shelter this evening and have multiple ways to receive warnings. Downed trees and power outages, along with hail damage to vehicles will be possible.
Severe Tstorm Watch in effect until Midnight. Damaging wind gusts to 60 mph and large hail up to golf ball size are the main threats. Continue to monitor the weather for warnings through the evening.
There is a slight risk of severe weather across a large portion of eastern Kentucky today, mainly north of the Hal Rogers Parkway. The primary threats with the strongest storms will be damaging wind gusts, large hail, dangerous cloud to ground lightning, and locally heavy rainfall.
Severe thunderstorms will be possible through 9 pm with damaging winds in excess of 60 mph being the main threat. Locally heavy rain will be secondary threat. Be prepared to seek shelter this evening and have multiple ways to receive warnings. Downed trees and power outages will be possible.
An area of low pressure is tracking across the Ohio Valley tonight. This system will bring another round of showers and a few thunderstorm to eastern Kentucky tonight. This could lead to locally heavy rainfall and instances of flash flooding for portions of eastern Kentucky.
A few strong storms could develop later this evening. The strongest storms would be capable of damaging winds, but the threat will be very isolated.
Rounds of rain, moderate to heavy at times, are expected through tonight. A few thunderstorms are also possible. This rain on already saturated soils will lead to rises and flooding of some poor drainage areas. Flooding of creeks, streams, and rivers is also possible. Mud and rock slides are expected.
Widespread rainfall will overspread Eastern Kentucky today, bringing the potential for flooding along small streams, creeks, and eventually some of the larger rivers.
A link to the current weather story and tabs.
Bitterly cold conditions will continue through tonight with low temperatures falling to around zero degrees in the south and areas north falling below zero. Wind chill values up to 15 below zero are possible in the far north as well. Some light snow will be possible in the south overnight as well. Limit your exposure to the cold through tonight.
An Arctic cold front moves through the Ohio Valley tonight into Tuesday morning. Expect rain to quickly change over to snow late tonight as bitter cold air rushes in behind the front. A quick burst of wind driven snow will occur with this feature as much of eastern Kentucky receives between 1/2 and 2 inches by Tuesday evening. Bitter cold temperatures are then expected through the day Thursday.
Any remaining snow will mix with or change to rain from south to north during the day. Daytime accumulations will generally be less than an inch.
A winter storm moving across the Southern States will affect much of East KY today with rain or mixed wintry precipitation changing to some accumulating snow for many locations. The greatest accumulations will be at higher elevations near the VA border.
Light snow will continue to move across eastern Kentucky this morning. This will lead to the potential for slick or snow covered road conditions, particularly on untreated and secondary roads, bridges, and overpasses. The morning commute will likely be impacted.
Thru Nov 16th, 2018 is the 5th wettest year on record at the Jackson Weather Office
Link to the Weather Story about the Wintry Mix expected tonight.
The first accumulating snow of the season could occur across East KY from Monday Night into Tuesday evening. Considerable uncertainties remain with the evolution of a storm system as it likely passes south and east of the Commonwealth. Regardless, this system will produce widespread precipitation across the region.
A band of heavy rain and perhaps a few thunderstorms will move across east Kentucky late tonight. Damaging wind gusts and a period of heavy rain are anticipated. Ensure you have a way to receive warnings late tonight.
Locally heavy rainfall and flash flooding will be possible today from the Hal Rogers Parkway south to the Tennessee border.
Heat Advisory graphics and information
Expect more showers and thunderstorms today. Some storms will have the potential to produce heavy rainfall and damaging winds. A slight risk for severe storms and a flash flood watch has been issued for today. Have a safe place to go if a warning is issued today.
Rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue into this evening. Some of the storms could be strong with damaging wind gusts the primary threat. A Flash Flood Watch is also in effect as flash flooding will be possible into tonight.
Frost Advisories and Freeze Warnings are in effect for tonight.
Snow amounts up to an inch possible through dawn Monday
A late season winter storm system will push into the region this evening. This will lead to the potential for accumulating wet snow Saturday morning. A few isolated power outages and a brief period of slush on the roads are possible.
Briefing slides for March 13-14 Winter Weather Advisory.
Accumulating snow is likely Sunday night into early on Monday. The Monday morning commute may be impacted with slushy, slick, or snow covered roads.
A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for areas north of the Cumberland River Basin between 11pm tonight and 7am Saturday. Rain will spread into east Kentucky after 6pm this evening. The rain will change to snow from SW to NE generally between 9pm and midnight. Expect 1 to 3" of wet snow. This will lead to potentially hazardous road conditions tonight, please exercise caution if traveling.
Locally heavy rainfall could lead to flooding along creeks, streams, and in low lying areas across portions of southern Kentucky through today.
Situation Report concerning wintry weather threat early this morning.
Snow will continue to fall across eastern Kentucky through this evening. Most locations can expect between 2 and 5 inches, with isolated higher amounts possible.
Light precipitation is expected to develop this afternoon. While it will likely begin as rain, all precipitation will transition to snow this evening with a few locations picking up a light coating of snow. Temperatures will fall below freezing through the evening hours with some slick spots developing on area roads.
On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Eastern Kentucky will experience a partial solar eclipse with the moon covering greater than 90% of the sun. Find out more information including your local weather forecast for the eclipse and how to view the eclipse safely on our 2017 Eclipse webpage.
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