JCPS Calls Off Classes For Tuesday Because of Snowy Roads

Update 8:30 p.m.: More Closings
More closings for Tuesday: The University of Louisville, IU Southeast, Bellarmine University, Jefferson Community and Technical College, Spalding University and Ivy Tech Sellersburg.
Update 5:20 p.m.: School Closings
Here's a rundown of larger Louisville area school systems that won't be open Tuesday because of the weather:

• Jefferson County Public Schools
• Oldham County Schools
• Bullitt County Public Schools
• Jefferson County Catholic Schools
• Spencer County Schools
• Shelby County Public Schools
• Shelby County Public Schools
• New Albany-Floyd County Schools
• Greater Clark Schools
• West Clark Community Schools
• Clarksville Community Schools

Update 4:48 p.m.: State of Emergency
Gov. Steve Beshear declared a state of emergency on Monday because of the snow.

The National Weather Service said Louisville has gotten seven inches of snow; other parts of the state have gotten more.

And the state transportation cabinet district covering Louisville said it'll continue salting state roads until 7 p.m. After that, they'll stop because the lessening traffic and colder temperatures will make the salt and liquid calcium chloride less effective, according to a news release. Snow was covering roads throughout Louisville and surrounding Kentucky areas.

The transportation cabinet adds:
Motorists should continue to reduce their speed and use caution if they need to be out on the roadways. The major routes are passable at lower speeds. Lower volume roads and rural routes will be more difficult to navigate. We ask for the patience of the motoring public as we work to clear the roadways.
Update: 3:50 p.m. JCPS Closed
Jefferson County Public Schools will be closed on Tuesday because of the road conditions, school officials announced during a Monday afternoon news conference.

Also, Metro Public Works spokesman Harold Adams noted that it'll be a few days before the roads are totally cleared up. But, he added, as the snow stops falling "the roads will get better and better."

Adams said he thinks people will start seeing a noticeable difference on the roads as the snow tapers off.

Again, low temperatures over the next few days will be in the single digits, according to the National Weather Service.

Here's an idea of how much snow has fallen:

Update 2 p.m.: Oldham Schools Closed

Oldham County Schools have also called off school for Tuesday, according to a news release.

Update 11:04 a.m.: Some School Closings

Bullitt County Public Schools and Spencer County Public Schools will be closed on Tuesday.

Update 10:20 a.m.: Snow Routes

Louisville Metro officials are again asking residents to not park on snow emergency routes on Monday. Harold Adams, a spokesman for Louisville Public Works, noted that Monday is the best opportunity for crews to melt and remove the snow. (The National Weather Service is forecasting freezing temperatures through the week.) Also, the state transportation cabinet said northbound Interstate 71 will be closed just north of the Watterson Expressway for a couple hours (from 10 a.m.) so crews can clean up an accident.

Update 9:47 a.m.: Roads

In its most recent update, the National Weather Service said snow may fall at a rate of two inches per hour into Monday afternoon. Also, the weather service said the snow will taper off in the evening. Here's an idea of how much it's snowed as of a 8:30 a.m. Monday:

In a 9 a.m. update, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said state roads in Louisville were mostly covered in snow.   Bullitt County state roads were "completely covered" and Oldham County's were "partly covered." The city will have an update on the snow situation at 10 a.m. We'll let you know what they say.
Update 7:40 a.m.: Timing
Here's what the National Weather Service in Louisville recently posted to Twitter:

Meanwhile, Louisville Metro Police said:

And as a quick reminder for Sunday, the city is asking motorists to not park on emergency snow routes.

Earlier: The National Weather Service forecasts six to 10 inches of snow on Monday for Louisville, with more to the south and less to north.

About a half inch was on the ground in Louisville early Monday, according to the state transportation cabinet.

But the National Weather Service forecasts the heaviest snow to fall in Louisville in the morning through the afternoon.

If the forecast holds up, it'd be the biggest snowfall in Louisville since at least 2008, according to the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service said driving may be "treacherous."

Road crews are out, but the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet noted in an early morning update:
Please keep in mind that as the heavier snow moves into our District, precipitation is expected to fall at a rate of 1-2 inches per hour. It will be impossible for our crews to keep the roads clear even at full staff. The snow will simply cover up any routes that have been cleared. Crews will be doing more plowing than salting at that point.
School is out for many Louisville area systems, including Jefferson County Public Schools. (Here's Sunday's story.) Oldham County Schools and Jefferson Community and Technical College are also closed.

We'll have updates through the day here.