Snow on a flower. Photo provided | Hide Obara via Unsplash

Winter weather is expected in Northern Kentucky this weekend, and local agencies are offering tips on how to prepare.  

As of Friday afternoon, Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties have an 80-100% chance of snow accumulation of six inches or more from Sunday, Jan. 5, into Monday, Jan. 6. According to the National Weather Service Wilmington, Ohio (which covers the NKY region), the NKY counties are also under a winter storm watch.

The weather service said folks should know the difference between a winter storm watch and a winter storm warning. On Friday, the service said it was likely that at least some of the areas under a winter storm watch could turn into a warning within 24-30 hours.

A winter storm watch is issued when heavy snow, sleet or freezing rain is possible. This is the time to be prepared. A winter storm warning is issued when heavy snow, sleet, or freezing rain is expected, and travel will become dangerous. This is the time to take action.

Key items to have on hand:

  • Extra blankets
  • First-aid kit
  • Canned and non-cook items such as bread, crackers and dried fruit
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Rock salt to melt ice on the driveway
  • Cell phone with a charged portable charger

In your home:

  • Make sure smoke alarms and weather radios have fresh batteries.
  • Use space heaters safely by keeping them away from curtains and furniture.
  • Always use generators outside and far from windows and doors to prevent harmful fumes.
  • Never turn your stove on for heat.
  • Don’t store gasoline indoors where fumes could ignite.

In your car:

  • Pack an emergency kit with water, snacks, a blanket, a shovel and kitty litter or salt for traction if you get stuck on ice.
  • Check tire pressure, ensure you have antifreeze, and keep your gas tank at least half-full to prevent fuel lines from freezing.

Watch or listen to weather updates on the news or a weather radio and understand the different levels of snow emergencies.

Level one

  • Conditions: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and/or drifting snow, roadways may be icy.
  • Advisory: Cautious driving is advised.

Level two

  • Conditions: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow and roadways may be icy.
  • Advisory: Only motorists whose travel is necessary should be on the roadways. Residents are urged to contact their employer to see if they should report to work.

Level three

  • Conditions: All roadways are restricted to emergency personnel, travel for work, provisions, medical supplies or medical treatment, and private snow removal operations.
  • Advisory: Essential travel only is advised. Violators are subject to prosecution. Residents are urged to contact their employers concerning work schedules.
Graphic provided | Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

Campbell County residents can download the “Smart911” app, which Campbell County uses to send out emergency alerts. They are also encouraged to follow the office of emergency management Facebook page.

If you find yourself out on the road, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 6 is reminding residents not to crowd snowplows and not to drive in blind spots so drivers can see you. The transportation cabinet said snowplows may create snow clouds, which could cause zero visibility.

Kenton County Office of Emergency Management said if visibility is severely limited due to a whiteout, pull off the road to a safe place and do not drive until conditions improve. Avoid pulling off onto the shoulder unless it is an absolute emergency. Limited visibility means other vehicles can’t see yours on the shoulder.

“Staying off the roads helps keep first responders and county workers safe as they clear roads and assist in emergencies,” said Director of Campbell County Emergency Management William Turner. “By working together, we can keep everyone in our community safe.”

Boone County Office of Emergency Management Director Kevin Vogelpohl said the office has been working for the past 48 hours with its partners in law enforcement, fire/EMS and public works to ensure all parties have all the available information as it is updated.  

“Above all, we encourage the public to stay home and not travel unless it is an emergency, or they are required to report to their employer,” Vogelpohl said. “We will not tell a business they need to close but encourage businesses to act with the safety of their employees in mind.  We ask that the public understand that the inclement weather will slow down first responders, too; please be patient as they respond to your emergency safely.”

Warming centers available for Jan. 5 through Jan. 10:

  • Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky, located at 436 West 13th in Covington.
    The Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky will operate as a 24/7 warming center for adults ages 18 and over from Sunday evening through Tuesday morning. Overnight warming center in the Navigation Center will operate overnight Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (through Friday morning). For additional information call  859-291-4555.
  • Fort Mitchell City Building: Council Chambers, 2355 Dixie Highway. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
  • Edgewood City Building: Council Chambers, 385 Dudley Road. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
  • Fort Wright City Building: Council Chambers, 409 Kyles Lane. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
  • Independence City Building: Council Chambers, 5409 Madison Pike. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
  • Piner Fiskburg Fire District: Training Room, 1851 Bracht Piner Road.  8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
  • Kenton County Administration Building: In the second-floor training room, 1840 Simon Kenton Way Covington. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Regional winter weather updates can be found on National Weather Service Wilmington, Ohio X account.

Haley is a reporter for LINK nky. Email her at hparnell@linknky.com Twitter.