Following a period of freezing rain, the Louisville metro area has a high chance of seeing more than 8 inches of snow Jan. 24-25, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service in Louisville.

Parts of Kentucky, including the Louisville metro area, and Indiana will be under a winter storm watch from 1 a.m. Jan. 24 through 7 a.m. Jan. 26.

“A winter storm is expected to bring moderate to major impacts to central Kentucky and southern Indiana this weekend. Periods of moderate to heavy snow are forecast this weekend with the possibility of a wintry mix of snow and sleet across southern Kentucky,” the advisory reads.

Forecasters believe a strong arctic high pressure will funnel cold air into the Ohio Valley from the north, and a series of low-pressure systems will slide across the Tennessee Valley and Gulf Coast states. Louisville will also see bitterly cold temperatures, with the low on Jan. 24 reaching 8 degrees and the wind chill expected to reach -4 degrees.

The agency is still watching the final storm track, which will impact the precipitation type and amounts. If the storm system tracks farther north, the probability of higher snowfall amounts will increase, while a farther south system will decrease the chances.

NWS Louisville meteorologist Brian Neudorff said Jan. 20 that the overall likelihood of a wintry mix in the Louisville area is “extremely low” given the cold temperatures expected.

Meteorologists are currently unsure of the specific snowfall amounts, but models indicate “a large spread” of snowfall. Parts of southern Indiana and central Kentucky have a 50-70% chance of getting more than 8 inches of snow and a 30-50% chance of seeing more than 12 inches, according to the latest forecast. Residents could see "considerable disruptions" to daily life, including dangerous or impossible driving conditions and widespread closures and disruptions to infrastructure, officials said.

“Think about looking at a telescope or binoculars — you have to dial in the focus. That’s kind of what models do,” Neudorff said. “We’re basically trying to, as we get closer, dial in and see the picture. It’s less fuzzy. It becomes more clear.”

The chances for sleet and ice accumulations have increased in some areas across southern Kentucky, though the pattern could change in the coming days, officials said.

Louisville preparing for winter storm with road treatments

Louisville’s Metro Snow team is prepared to take on weekend snow showers with its plowing and salt trucks, Department of Transportation director Bill Bell said Jan. 21.

"It’s looking there won’t be ice and it will be just snow, which is a good thing," Bell said during an afternoon news conference.

Louisville recently added roughly 500 tons to its supply and its salt dome is now about two-thirds full, Bell said. The city has funds to replenish the reserve if needed.

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Crews laid down brine, a liquid mixture of salt and water, Jan. 20 in anticipation of wintry weather. Brine is applied before a storm to help prevent snow and ice from bonding to the pavement, which makes plowing and salting more effective later.

"We’ve brined more these last six week then we have the last three years," Bell said. "That was one of the things are consultants suggested we do, among other recommendations that we followed through on."

Additional information about Louisville’s preparations, including the live Metro Snow Team map, can be found on the website for the city’s Department of Public Works.

Louisville weather forecast

Jan. 21

There is a chance of rain and snow before 12 p.m., then a chance of rain between 12-3 p.m. It will be cloudy, with a high near 41 degrees and wind gusts as high as 24 miles per hour. The chance of precipitation is 50%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than half an inch is possible.

In the evening, it will be cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 28 degrees and southwest wind 6 to 9 miles per hour.

Jan. 22

It will be mostly sunny, with a high near 38 degrees and west wind 3 to 5 miles per hour. At night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low around 20 degrees and calm wind becoming north around 5 miles per hour after midnight.

Jan. 23

It will be mostly cloudy and cold, with a high near 24 degrees. At night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 8 degrees.

Jan. 24

Snow is likely, mainly after 1 p.m. It will be cloudy and cold, with a high near 17 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 60%.

At night, there will be snow, and the low will be around 13 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 80%.

Jan. 25

There is a 30% chance of snow, mainly before 1 p.m. It will be mostly cloudy and cold, with a high near 22 degrees. At night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 9 degrees.

Louisville weather radar

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Reporters Leo Bertucci and Lillian Metzmeier contributed.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Winter storm watch issued as Louisville could see heavy snow this weekend