Multiple school districts in the region will be closed on Friday due to concerns about high winds potentially causing safety issues with high-profile school buses.
Schools in Edmonson, Breckinridge, Hancock, Webster, and McLean counties will be closed Friday after the National Weather Service (NWS) predicted wind gusts up to 58 miles per hour for the region.
Breckinridge County Schools said in a social media post: “Prioritizing the safety of our students and staff, Breckinridge County Schools will be closed tomorrow, Friday, January 12, due the high wind advisory and potential for a high wind warning.”
The NWS has issued a High Wind Warning for Friday, saying that “wind gusts Friday morning will gradually increase in intensity, peaking this afternoon and early evening. Widespread gusts over 50 miles per hour are expected, with sporadic gusts of 58 mph or more this afternoon and early evening. Gusts for much of the overnight hours will range from 40 to 50 mph.”
In addition to loose outdoor chairs, tables and other items at risk of being relocated by the windy conditions, power outages are also possible. Additionally, following two days of potentially dangerous high winds — Saturday is also expected to bring strong winds gusts — temperatures will drop dramatically beginning Sunday where the high is forecast to be 23 degrees and the low 12 degrees.
There’s a chance snow could fall in the area beginning Sunday night and into Monday, the NWS predicts.
Next week’s temperature predictions are frosty, as daytime highs Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are predicted to be in the mid- to low-20s, with lows between 13 degrees and three degrees.
The predicted temperatures in the region beyond Wednesday are also bitterly cold, with Thursday’s predicted high of 34 degrees the warmest day the area will experience through at least Sunday, January 21.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
