Half-Inch of Ice Possible For Louisville Area as Freezing Rain Moves In

Update 10:15 p.m.: Power OutagesFrom LG&E:

More than 7,700 customers in Louisville were without electricity at 10:15-ish p.m. Tuesday. You can follow along with the status across the region here.Update 9:42 p.m.: One More Update, AgainHere's the latest from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Freezing rain is falling across most of District 5. Henry, Oldham and Trimble counties are reporting an inch of ice. In some areas the highway drains are clogged with snow and ice resulting in ponding of water on the roadways. Crews are continuing to treat their routes as needed. Road conditions by county as of 9 PM: Bullitt – Freezing rain, partly covered roads, crews plowing slush Franklin – Rain, wet pavement, crews monitoring Henry – Snow/sleet mix, mostly covered roads, crews salting and plowing Jefferson – Rain, wet pavement, crews monitoring Oldham – Freezing rain, mostly covered roads, crews salting and plowing Shelby – Freezing rain, partly covered roads, crews plowing Spencer – Freezing rain, partly covered roads, crews salting and plowing Trimble – Freezing rain/sleet mix, completely covered, crews salting and plowingUpdate 9:20 p.m.: One More UpdateThe National Weather Service'slatest updateadvises against travel Tuesday night, if it's avoidable. The weather service is also warning of possible power outages because of the ice. Here's an updated accumulation map:

The weather service's most recent forecast for Louisville is for rain, freezing rain and sleet into the very early morning hours of Wednesday, followed by freezing drizzle. In the early morning, Louisville may get freezing drizzle and snow showers until 9 a.m., the weather service said.We'll have more updates later. Update 8:10 p.m.: The LatestThe National Weather Service gave another update a while ago.It doesn't say much new—the worst of the ice is forecast to happen between about an hour ago through midnight. After that, the Louisville area should expect freezing drizzle.The weather service says to expect hazardous driving conditions Tuesday evening. It's also cautioning people about the potential for flooding near the Green River and "low-lying, flood prone areas."Here's a slightly updated map:

Update 6:12 p.m.: State Road UpdateHere's an update from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's division that covers Louisville: All 8 counties are experiencing a snow/sleet mix at this time.  Temperatures are below freezing in all counties.  The weather and road conditions are changing rapidly.  All crews are salting their routes and highways are partly to mostly covered.Update 5:30 p.m.: Exchange FormsLouisville is getting its share of traffic accidents Tuesday afternoon as ice/sleet is hitting during rush hour, a said a MetroSafe spokeswoman. She says Louisville Metro Police were asking motorists in non-injury accidents to exchange information if their vehicles were operable. Here's that form.Update 5 p.m.: Winter WeatherThe Louisville area is getting some of the anticipated winter weather.The National Weather Service hasn't changed much in its latest update, issued about a half-hour ago. Here's its predictions for accumulation:

The weather service forecasts that the heaviest precipitation will happen between 7 p.m. and midnight Tuesday, possibly causing "significant" ice accumulation. But, again, officials have said they don't expect this situation to be like the 2009 ice storm.The weather service warns of hazardous traveling Tuesday night and that this afternoon's rush hour will be "negatively impacted." Which, from a quick glance at Trimarc,it already is.  Here's the westbound Watterson Expressway near Poplar Level Road. Trimarc says it's a four vehicle accident:

(You can get a glance at how Louisville and Southern Indiana interstates are doing here.)Update 1 p.m.: Press ConferenceThings you need to know:-The Louisville area is forecast to get about a quarter-inch of ice starting Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service said.-A wintry mix, including freezing rain, is expected to begin in Louisville sometime around 4 p.m. Tuesday, the weather service said. The system is heading northeast. Here's a timing map from the weather service:

-More precipitation is possible. At the moment, theweather service forecast says: "Rain, snow, and freezing rain before 4 a.m., then freezing rain likely, possibly mixed with snow. Low around 26."-Louisville and the surrounding area are under a winter storm warningfrom 4 p.m. Tuesday to 7 a.m. Wednesday.-City and state officials are preparing for the potential freezing rain, which would fall at about the time the afternoon commute is taking place. They have road crews ready to go, however, they don't expect the storm to be as bad as the 2009 ice storm. -LG&E doesn't expected this to be a "widespread event," spokeswoman Natasha Collins said. Still, they plan to be prepared just in case.-Jefferson County Public Schools students are being dismissed early. Middle and high school students are already out, and elementary students will be dismissed at 1:45 p.m. The after-school Childhood Enrichment Program will remain open,but school officials urge parents to pick up their kids as soon as possible.Michael Raisor, chief operating officer for JCPS, said the timing of the forecast frozen rain align right to when the school system would have the most buses on the road.Early dismissals/closures have also been announced for:

• Bellarmine University
• University of Louisville
• IU Southeast (Classes that start at 1:15 p.m. or later are canceled; offices close at 2 p.m.)
• Jefferson County Catholic high schools
• Greater Clark Schools
• Clarksville Community Schools
• New Albany-Floyd County Schools

For details on each, check the earlier updates.Update 12:20 p.m.: UofL's Out Early TooThe University of Louisville is canceling classes that begin at or after 1 p.m. UofL offices close at 2:30 p.m.Update 11:22 a.m.: And MoreJefferson County Catholic high schools are dismissing at 1:30 p.m. New Albany-Floyd County Schools are dismissing two hours early.Update 11:02 a.m.: And Oldham County Schools Dismiss 1 Hour EarlyOldham County Schools will dismiss one hour early. That means "1:20 p.m. for elementary and 2:45 p.m. for middle and high." Update 10:55 a.m.: And MoreNowGreater Clark County Schools will dismiss two hour early. Update 10:45 a.m.: JCPS Dismissing EarlyJefferson County Public Schools will dismiss two hours early on Tuesday because of the threat of winter weather.That means middle and high school students will get out at 12:20 p.m. and elementary school students will get out at 1:45 p.m. JCPS will have no early childhood education program in the evening, and all evening activities are canceled.Update 9:45 a.m.:BellarmineBellarmine Universitywill close at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday because of the winter weather threat.Again, many school systems in the Louisville area say they're monitoring the weather. We'll have more on the ice threat coming up later.Earlier: Classes are in session on Tuesday for Jefferson County Public Schools, but school officials are urging parents to monitor the weather situation in the afternoon.For its early childhood program, JCPS will not provide transportation Tuesday in the morning or afternoon. School officials are asking people to watch for possible dismissal time changes Tuesday afternoon.Freezing rain is possible Tuesday in the Louisville area, maybe sometime around or after 4 p.m.,the National Weather Service said. Louisville and the surround area will be under awinter storm warning from 4 p.m. Tuesday to 7 a.m. Wednesday.The weather service is warning of possible "significant" ice accumulation in the region into Wednesday morning. Here's forecast map released Tuesday morning.

This would follow an official five inches of snowMonday in Louisville. We'll update later Tuesday.