Models Show Kentucky at the Heart of a Dangerous Arctic Blast Next Weekend as Extreme Cold Targets the Mid-South

LEXINGTON, KY — A powerful arctic blast is forecast to plunge Kentucky and the broader Mid-South into extreme cold next weekend, with new weather models placing the Bluegrass State directly in the center of the most severe temperature anomalies. Meteorologists warn that this could be one of the strongest December cold outbreaks in years, with temperatures crashing far below normal from December 13–16.

Kentucky Sits in the Bullseye of the Arctic Outbreak

Forecast maps from GFS, ECMWF, and ensemble guidance show the most intense cold directly over Kentucky, Tennessee, southern Ohio, and parts of Indiana.
The core of the arctic air mass — highlighted in dark purple and magenta shading — suggests temperature anomalies of:

• 15°F to 25°F below average
• Strongest cold centered over central and eastern Kentucky
• Widespread below-normal temperatures stretching across the entire Mid-South

Risk outlook graphics place Kentucky within the Moderate Risk zone for extreme cold from December 14–15, with the cold expanding further into the Southeast through December 16.

New Maps Show the Cold Deepening With Each Update

Meteorologists are sounding alarms because every new model run continues to intensify the cold signal rather than weaken it.

Highlights from the latest anomaly maps include:

• A rapidly expanding arctic dome plunging south into the Ohio Valley
• Kentucky consistently appearing as the coldest midpoint of the outbreak
• Extreme temperature departures indicating a deep, persistent cold pool
• Strong reinforcement from upper-level patterns favoring continued cold

Forecasters note that many public outlets are undercalling the severity because they aren’t factoring in the key long-range parameters shown in ensemble projections.

Could Be Kentucky’s Coldest Stretch Since February

If current projections verify, Kentucky may experience:

• Its coldest temperatures in nearly 10 months
• Widespread morning lows in the teens or single digits
• Wind chills dropping toward zero, especially in rural areas
• A prolonged period of below-average temperatures lasting several days

Meteorologists warn that this is not a short cold snap — the pattern supports multi-day arctic intrusion across the Mid-South.

Residents Urged to Prepare for Significant Cold Impacts

Given the strength and duration of the expected arctic surge, Kentuckians should begin preparing for:

• High heating demand
• Possible livestock and agricultural impacts
• Rapid temperature drops behind the front
• Risk of icy roads if moisture interacts with incoming cold air
• Increased vulnerability for elderly or unsheltered populations

Further updates will refine temperature details as the event approaches, but confidence remains high that Kentucky will be one of the hardest-hit states.

Are you in Kentucky or another Mid-South state? Share your local forecast and concerns with us at ChicagoMusicGuide.com.