LEXINGTON, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency Saturday and activated the Kentucky National Guard as the state faces snow and ice followed by bitter low temperatures.

The National Weather Service has placed about two-thirds of the state under a winter storm warning, and the rest is under either a winter advisory or watch.

Several counties in western Kentucky also are under an ice storm warning.

“Our commonwealth is facing a significant winter storm,” Beshear said at a news conference Saturday. “Nearly every part of the state could see a major impact.”

The winter storm warning for Lexington and Central Kentucky lasts from early Sunday to Monday afternoon.

The weather service forecast a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain in that window.

One key worry is the potential for heavy icing that could bring down trees and limbs and known down power lines, causing outages.

The weather service said tree damage and power outages are likely and that travel at times “could be nearly impossible.”

Beshear said northern Kentucky could see 6 to 13 inches of snow, with 4 to 8 inches possible along the Interstate 64 corridor through central Kentucky.

There is a potential ice could fall on top of snow, then more snow on that, creating a sandwich effect that is tough to clear away, Beshear said.

Beshear said National Guard troops would be available to help if there are motorists stranded for extended periods on interstates.

Power outages Monday would come as the state is expected to see bitter temperatures from Tuesday through the weekend, with lows below zero in some places, Beshear said.

Beshear urged motorists to stay off the roads if possible, especially Monday afternoon when there could be window to clear roads before temperatures get much colder.

Eric Gibson, director of Kentucky Emergency Management, said the state emergency operations center will open very early Sunday morning to help coordinate the response to the storm.

Local officials are working to get warming centers ready in case there are widespread power outages, Gibson said.

State Transportation Secretary Jim Gray detailed preparations for the storm during the news conference, including lining up 2,300 state employees and contractors and 1,400 snow plows and salt trucks to try to keep roads clear.

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