PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The winter storm heading this way should bring four to eight inches of snow by late Saturday, according to meteorologist Beau Dodson with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The snow will come later than expected, probably well after dark but before midnight. This is because the storm system has slowed. “We are concerned that people will let their guard down because the snow is starting later,” said Kevin Damron, chief district engineer. “We are going to be ahead of this storm in terms of being prepared, but we want people to understand that it is coming.”

Thursday afternoon all data indicated that the storm will hit Letcher, Knott, and the eastern portion of Pike County with 6-8 inches of snow. The western part of Pike County as well as Floyd, Johnson, and Martin counties will likely see snowfall of 4-6 inches. Precipitation will taper further north, with the prediction for Lawrence County at 1-3 inches.

 Higher elevations in the district, such as Pine Mountain, Abner Mountain, Ball Fork, Pound Gap, and Calloway, might see as much as a foot of snow.

 Damron warned that snow may fall quickly, making visibility difficult and limiting sight distance. “This snow is expected to be moist, but not heavy like the snow that fell in December,” he said. “In other words, no massive or prolonged power outages are expected. Winds will be moderate, around 20 mph, and since the snow will be moist, there should be little blowing or drifting.”

 The more critical factor in this storm will be temperatures, which are expected to drop to single digits by Saturday. This will cause the snow to stay around for a while, refreezing each night and barely warming up each day, possibly through the middle of next week. Forecasts show temperatures below freezing all next week.

 “This will make it difficult to keep the roads safe and clear,” said Sam Hale, Engineering Branch Manager for Pike, Knott, and Letcher counties. “We started anti-icing, or pre-treating, whichever you want to call it, on Thursday morning. Even though there might be a little rain and sleet before the snow shows up, it shouldn’t be enough to wash the brine off the roads, so we have pre-treated vigorously.”

 Hale said four to eight inches of snow and single digits on the thermometer make a difficult combination. “It will take longer to scrape and plow, to keep the roads consistently safe and clear, than it would in a snowfall with warmer temperatures. In those situations, usually you can plow once or twice and the road stays in pretty good shape. This time we may be talking about plowing three or four times a day for several days in a row.”

 Hale and his counterpart, Darold Slone, Engineering Branch Manager for Floyd, Martin, Johnson, and Lawrence counties, asked that motorists use good judgment about whether to travel at all during this time. “If you do have to drive during this storm,” Slone said, “please, please be safe about it. If you see a snow plow on the road, please do not pass it. The driver will pull over as soon as it is safe to do so.”

 Slone also reminded motorists to make sure their gas tanks are at least two-thirds full before going anywhere. “You never know whether you will have to take another route to get home. You never know how long it’s going to take or if you will run into any delays. So be prepared.”

 He also suggested that drivers put the following items in their vehicles: drinking water, snacks, blankets, ice scrapers, first aid kit, and a flashlight. “Take a cell phone with you if you have one. Make sure someone knows where you are going and checks to make sure you arrived.”

 Safe Patrol vehicles have been scheduled to work late on Friday night and come out early (4 a.m.) on Saturday. This schedule will remain in effect throughout this storm event, which is expected to last 18-24 hours. “Safe Patrol as well as Highway District 12 employees who are out in state vehicles will be available to assist stranded motorists,” Damron said. “But the best way to make sure you’re not stranded is to get gas and groceries, rent your movies or games, and go to the house before dark on Friday.”