Friday updates: What to know overnight amid freezing temperatures around Kentucky

Friday marks one of the coldest days Louisville has seen in decades, after a blanket of snow fell Thursday night as a devastating cold front whipped through the region.

Gov. Andy Beshear declared a statewide state of emergency Wednesday and local officials spent the following day preparing for the severe winter weather, which moved east through the country before hitting the local region just after set Thursday. The city awoke Friday to several inches of snow and single-digit temperatures, with negative wind chills and a Winter Storm Warning in effect until 1 p.m. Friday.

The snow may look peaceful, but the weather is no joke. Beshear, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and officials with the National Weather Service's local branch warned residents ahead of time that frigid temperatures can be dangerous – "This is life-threatening," chief meteorologist John Gordon said Thursday.

Updating:Power outages reported around Kentucky after severe winter storm hits region

More coverage:A running list of closures and event cancellations in Louisville amid blistering cold

Get used to the cold weather, too – temperatures are expected to gradually rise the next few days, but we probably won't get back above freezing until Tuesday.

Here's a quick look at what's happening.

6 p.m.: Your Friday night and Saturday forecast in Louisville

The good news is Friday night is set to be warmer in Louisville than Friday morning. The bad news is we're still looking at single-digit temperatures, and a chilly Saturday.

According to the National Weather Service's local office, the temperature Friday night and early Saturday morning is likely to hover at around 3 degrees. That's higher than the morning, when we saw negative temperatures as low as -6 degrees, but still far from the seasonal average. Wind chill values could still drop to around -20 overnight.

Some snow flurries are possible too, most likely between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m., according to the projections, but notable accumulation beyond what the region has already seen is unlikely. High-speed winds are likely, though, and could reach past 30 mph.

Saturday will likely be a bit warmer. Current projections call for a high of about 17 degrees, with partly cloudy skies and wind chill values as low as -15. In a new release around 5:30 p.m., the weather service said a wind chill advisory would be in effect through Saturday afternoon, noting roads that have not yet been treated are still in unsafe condition.

A minimum wind chill of -15 degrees is expected Saturday morning. That figure is set to rise to -6 by Sunday morning.

We have a cold few days ahead of us, but weather service projections estimate the temperature locally could rise back into the 50s by Thursday. Still, don't expect conditions above freezing until Tuesday. You'll want to bundle up for the weekend holidays.

2:45 p.m.: TARC buses suspend most services at 8 p.m.

Louisville's bus system is still running Friday, but officials say they're dealing with issues and have urged people to avoid nonessential travel.

Several Transit Authority of River City buses have suffered breakdowns in the cold weather, TARC said Friday in a Twitter post, as extreme cold has hampered their efforts to transport passengers.

For the safety of all, we urge you to avoid travel if at all possible, or make other travel arrangements," the post said. "If you must ride TARC today, dress in multiple warm layers and cover extremities to avoid frostbite."

TARC is operating on a diminished winter weather schedule Friday, Mayor Fischer said at a noon press conference, amid single-digit temperatures in the region. Fischer said some delays and limitations had been noted.

In a release at about 5:30 p.m., TARC said it would suspend all operations at 8 p.m. Friday due to breakdowns, though it later said it would provide some alternative transportation options until 1 a.m.

"TARC personnel will continue to provide transportation in alternate vehicles after 8:00 pm and until the last run concludes at 1:00 am to ensure that no passengers are stranded," the bus service said in an email. "Please call (502) 561-5170 to speak to a TARC representative and request a ride to your destination."

Arrival times can be found online at ridetarc.org or by calling 502-585-1234. If you're waiting for the bus, he said, be sure to wear layers and prepare for the cold.

1:45 p.m.: More traffic delays in Kentucky

Traffic along I-71 near Glencoe is still being diverted this afternoon following a crash on the interstate this morning, according to Beshear's office. Drivers are being detoured onto US-127. The crash did not result in any deaths, Beshear previously said. The National Guard is on the scene taking some stranded motorists to nearby shelters and distributing blankets to those who have chosen to stay in their cars.

In Franklin County, meanwhile, traffic on I-64 has slowed due to a crash at mile marker 58, according to the governor's office.

“Stay inside and stay off the roads to stay safe,” Beshear said in an email. “The best way to help is not to add another car to the backups. Stay away from I-71 entirely. It is unsafe due to backups and how long you could be stranded.”

Three deaths have been reported, according to Beshear – one unhoused person in Louisville and two other fatalities on the road. No names have been provided by authorities.

Noon: Mayor Fischer update on storm response

In a Friday press conference, Mayor Greg Fischer and emergency management officials announced metro's trash pickup will be delayed by a day due to the severe winter weather.

Friday's garbage will be picked up Monday, and Monday's garbage Tuesday, giving metro waste the chance to spend time with their families, officials said.

Metro services has opened Broadbent Arena at 937 Phillips Ln. as a temporary shelter, Fischer said. At least 40 people are currently housed at the facility. Three other shelters are operating under Operation White Flag, and public facilities can be used as warming centers during normal business hours.

Even though "the polar vortex is upon us," John Gordon, a National Weather Service meteorologist, waxed hopeful about a bit of sunny weather forecasted for Saturday that could help melt ice and improve road conditions.

Between 7 p.m. Thursday and 11 a.m. Friday, Fischer said emergency management officials responded to eight injury crashes and 70 non-injury crashes. Fischer and officials continued to urge residents to stay off roads and to push back holiday celebrations if able.

Officials also confirmed reports of 41 individuals with cold exposures, all of whom had been taken to a warming shelter or hospital to recover.

10 a.m.: Beshear gives update on storm response

At a press conference on Friday morning, Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed two deaths in Kentucky that had occurred amid an Arctic blast that hit the region Thursday evening and Friday morning.

One person from Western Kentucky died in a vehicle crash, Beshear said, and one unsheltered person in Louisville has died as well.

In addition to the two deaths, Beshear noted dangerous traffic conditions on Interstate 71 where traffic is backed up. Northbound lanes are closed around mile marker 62, he said, and southbound traffic is moving slowly as well. Kentucky State Police and the Kentucky National Guard have been on the scene for hours assisting drivers stuck in that area, he said, urging travelers to avoid the area.

"We want to get everyone through this safely," Beshear said.

Other backups are occurring on Interstate 64 in Scott County and on Interstate 75 in Whitley County. the sun is up, but that doesn't mean it's safe to drive, Beshear said.

"Stay home. Stay safe. Stay off the roads. Stay alive," he said.

At the time of the conference, Beshear said more than 24,000 Kentuckians were without power, although that number can fluctuate up and down quickly based on changes in hazardous conditions.

If someone is experiencing an outage, the governor urged them to go to their county's warming center or get to family and friends with power.

Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing into next week, he said, but could rise into the 50s by Thursday.

9:30 a.m.: A note for Courier Journal subscribers

Amid dangerous driving conditions and blistering cold, some Courier Journal newspaper carriers were unable to make it along their routes last night. Those who missed Friday's paper will have it delivered Sunday.

8:30 a.m.: Beshear reports one death in traffic crash

Amid icy conditions on Kentucky roadways, Beshear said at least one death has been reported early Friday as a result of a car crash.

Around 20,000 homes are currently without power, the governor said in a Twitter post (he has a 10 a.m. press conference planned). Additionally, traffic has slowed on I-71 following a car crash. Kentucky State Police reported the crash is at mile marker 63, near Glencoe, in northbound lanes, though southbound traffic has also slowed as trucks are struggling to make it up the hill.

One person has died in a separate car crash, he said. Additional details were not immediately available.

At 10:40 p.m. Thursday night, Louisville Metro Police also reported officers had found a body in the 4000 block of Parthenia Avenue near Shively. The exact cause of death will be determined in an autopsy, LMPD said. The person who died, an adult male, has not yet been identified.

7:30 a.m.: A Louisville traffic update

Louisville's snow team worked through the night to treat roads in the city, according to department spokesperson Sal Melendez, but drivers should still exercise caution Friday morning.

The snow lasted between 8:15 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. in the city, Melendez said. Crews worked against gusty winds between 30 and 40 mph to clear 2,700 miles of roadways along 111 routes. The first pass by the crews was successful, he said, and the second run was underway.

Still, Melendez said, icy conditions remain amid subzero temperatures. Work by snow crews will continue throughout the day, but in the meantime, he urged commuters to "be careful as they drive, to at least double their travel time to reach their destination and allow our snow fighters room to work."

Louisville keeps an updating map that shows roadways that have been plowed. Check it out.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet noted several roadways around Louisville and the rest of the state were dealing with lane closures or shutdowns as of 7:45 a.m., including: I-264 E in Jefferson County at US-42, the I-64 W ramp to I-265 E in Jefferson County, I-75 N in Whitley County at mile marker 8.5 and I-75 N in Gallatin County near Glencoe.

The National Weather Service in Louisville reported a temperature of -4 degrees as of about 7:45 a.m.

6:30 a.m.: Snow still in the forecast for the holiday weekend

A chance for snow remains early Saturday morning after 1 a.m. in the Louisville area, according to the National Weather Service.

The temperature in Louisville was -6 degrees as of 6:30 a.m., and there is a -30 degree wind chill at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.

Several flights at Louisville's airport were reported early Friday morning, according to online flight tracker FlightAware, which reported 23 flights had been canceled in the last 24 hours.

Read more:Services for Louisville's unsheltered population as severe winter weather approaches

Friday's forecast in Louisville

Gordon said Friday will likely be the coldest day of this frigid stretch, with single-digit highs throughout the day. Low temperatures are expected to persist throughout the day – Fischer said it's expected to be the coldest day the city has seen in about 30 years.

Temperatures are expected to rise slightly Saturday, with a projected high of 18 degrees and wind chill values as low as -12. By Sunday – Christmas Day – Louisville's temperature could reach a high of 21 degrees.

What happened Thursday

Thursday saw temperatures in the 40s for much of the day. When the sun went down, though, everything changed.

The temperature sat at 12 degrees by 11 p.m., according to the weather service, with a wind chill of -7. The temperature was expected to drop as low as 0 degrees overnight, with single-digit temperatures in the forecast Friday.

Louisville Metro Police officials said the department would only respond to crashes where injuries were involved or where roads were blocked. LMPD said it had responded to 19 crashes as of 10:30 p.m., but a MetroSafe supervisor said more than 100 had been reported between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Reach The Courier Journal's breaking news team at lounews@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Winter storm warning in effect for Louisville: Live weather updates