District 1 Crews to Pre-Treat Roads and Potential Trouble Spots Ahead of Weekend Wintry Weather

PADUCAH, Ky. (Jan. 21, 2026) – In anticipation of wintry weather expected to hit the region this weekend, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) crews in District 1 plan to pre-treat roads and potential trouble spots on Thursday and Friday.
Motorists should watch out for slow-moving spray trucks and support vehicles on the roadways. With two full days ahead of this winter weather event, crews are expected to pre-treat most, if not all, state highways in the district.
Pre-treating with brine provides an opportunity for highway crews to get a head start on a snow and ice event. Once sprayed, brine dries to a fine salt powder that is activated by early falling precipitation, helping prevent snow and ice from bonding to the pavement and making it easier for crews to plow later in the winter weather event.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for all District 1 counties this weekend, anticipating more than four inches of snow and/or wintry mix to start falling late Friday and continuing into Sunday afternoon, along with extreme cold.
Forecasted snowfall totals have increased since yesterday, with an 80-90% chance of receiving more than four inches. The Paducah area is also expected to see overnight wind chills near 0 degrees on Friday, -6 on Saturday, 3 on Sunday, and 4 on Monday.
With high temperatures expected to remain below freezing until Tuesday or Wednesday, motorists should anticipate moderate to major travel impacts.
The KYTC District 1 Snow and Ice Team will monitor weather conditions hour-by-hour and adjust response strategies for area highway crews as needed.
District 1 has about 87 snow plows, five tow-plows, and several contract plows to cover 2,852 miles of highway in Kentucky's 12 westernmost counties.
As KYTC crews prepare for this winter weather event, area residents are encouraged to do the same. Now is a good time to winterize vehicles and pack an emergency car kit.
If you must travel during a major snow and ice event, motorists are urged to use extreme caution.
When snow and ice are on roadways, please drive slowly. No matter what type of vehicle you drive, it takes more time and distance to stop in poor weather conditions, so brake early and slowly. Even pre-treated roads may be slick.
Motorists are advised to monitor the evolving forecast via area news media outlets or on the National Weather Service Paducah Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NWSPaducah.
Visit SnowKY.ky.gov for snow and ice resources, like priority route maps and more winter weather driving tips. Check real-time traffic conditions and interstate cameras at GoKY.ky.gov.