Winter Weather Advisory issued through Tuesday

Looks like winter weather is back. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory through Tuesday evening.

Rain rolled in over the Louisville area after midnight, but snow showers are expected to begin Monday afternoon and could accumulate despite temperatures projected to be above freezing.

"The next week or so, through Valentine's Day, we've got a colder and stormier period," said National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Schoettmer.

He added that Monday's weather is the least confident part of the forecast right now because it's unclear just exactly how warm surface temperatures will be.

By Monday evening, temperatures are expected to drop into freezing range, and on and off snow showers through Wednesday could mean accumulations of 1 to 3 inches that could cause some impact to travel, particularly on side roads, Schoettmer said.

"The biggest problems will be Tuesday and Wednesday," he said. "Everything will be cold enough for snow to accumulate."

Schoettmer said the scattered snow showers are known for creating conditions that can lead to traffic accidents.

"These are situations where you may be driving along and then you encounter snow showers and road conditions deteriorate pretty badly," he said. "Everyone drive safe and use caution."

Schoettmer said that Louisvillians should not put much stock into Punxsutawney Phil's weather predictions this winter.

Despite the fact that the famous groundhog did not see his shadow earlier this month - meaning that, according to folklore, that there will be a shorter winter this year - Louisville should not start getting out the gardening tools just yet.

"We have a ways to go before we're out of the woods," Schoettmer said.

He said that, after this week, there may be a lull in snowy weather until middle or late February, but that "March may trend back toward a snowy pattern."

Dress the right way for your cold weather run

Reporter Allison Ross can be reached at (502) 582-4241.