Winter Weather Whiplash

This year has started off with a stark contrast to last January when five days into 2025, we got hammered with back-to-back winter storms that dumped several inches of snow and ice across the area.

Instead of the traditional winter, you could say we’ve experienced brief tastes of many seasons since December 1, 2025. Snow, rain, arctic air, and sunny skies with short-sleeve temperatures; we’ve seen it all.

“It could be 70 degrees one day and then it could be -20. It’s been crazy,” said Louisville Water Plumber Leader’s Assistant Ryan Reddington.

Last Friday’s springlike weather of 70 degrees was soon followed by a rainy Saturday and temperatures plunging into the 30s by Sunday. Preparation is key for crews working outside amid this weather whiplash.

“Bringing extra clothes is a big part of it. You’re already dealing with water and getting wet. When it’s colder, you want to make sure you have a fresh pair of warm clothes,” shared Plumber Leader’s Assistant Shane Spalding.

And for him, working second shift throws a different wrench into the mix.

“Planning on night shift; you’ll leave the house and it’ll be warm, like earlier it was 60 degrees and now it’s 30. If I left the house in a t-shirt, I would be freezing right now,” Spalding said.

Reddington makes sure his locker is stocked so he’s also ready for whatever the day brings.

“I have a ton of different clothes in my locker. Different jackets.”

Director of Production Operations Scott Smith is optimistic about the remaining winter stretch.

“The weather looks very mild for this time of year.  And hopefully, we have already made it through our (water) main break season!”

Plumber Leader’s Assistant D’Mitris Brown isn’t quite as sure about that.

“We know if it’s hot today and it’s 30 the next couple days and then it gets hot again, we know we’re going to have a bunch of breaks.”

Between December 1 and January 12, Louisville Water repaired 150 water main breaks. Most of those were smaller pipes in neighborhoods.

While he enjoyed the breezy and sunny weather last week, Plumber Leader Larry Reid said he doesn’t mind winter because he knows what to expect.

“I like the cold because 90% of the time, it’s going to be a circumf(erence) situation where the pipe just breaks (cleanly) and you just throw a band on it instead of having to cut it (to repair it),” he explained.

For those working in the area directly around the broken pipe, called “the hole”, it’s not a bad place to be.

Spalding said, “It’s actually 10 to 15 degrees warmer in the hole. When you’re doing the work, you warm up too. It gets your blood flowing.”

So, while we can’t predict the weather patterns or whether the worst of winter is behind us, you can trust Louisville Water is ready.

“Now we just keep an eye on the forecast, and we’ll gear up for the next arctic blast,” said Director of Distribution Operations Joe Schmitt.

And with the forecast calling for several days where we’re stuck in the 20s and 30s, it’s a good idea to protect the pipes in your home.