Drier and a bit cooler into the weekend

It was a soggy and stormy end to the week across Central and Eastern Kentucky. Scattered showers and thunderstorms rumbled through the area throughout the day on Friday delivering pockets of heavy rain and even a few stronger storms. The good news? We managed to steer clear of any widespread severe weather which is always something to celebrate this time of year. Friday’s action was tied to a low-pressure system and a trailing cold front—both of which are on their way out just in time for the weekend.

Drying Out Saturday, but Still Cool
Saturday starts off with a few lingering showers, especially in southeastern Kentucky but most areas will be drying out from west to east through the morning. Clouds will be a bit stubborn early in the day but sunshine should gradually break through during the afternoon. With a northwest breeze behind the departing front, it’ll be cooler than what we’ve gotten used to lately—afternoon highs will only reach the mid-60s, a few notches below normal for late April.

Sunday Looks Like a Winner
High pressure builds in Sunday setting the stage for a much more pleasant finish to the weekend. Expect mostly sunny skies and comfortable highs in the mid to upper 60s. It’ll be a great day to get outside and enjoy some genuine spring weather—whether it’s tackling yard work or taking a relaxing stroll. Chilly morning temps will be around 40° in the valleys, but sunshine will bring a nice warm-up.

Feeling More Like Summer to Start the Week
The warming trend continues into Monday as that high slides east and southerly winds bring in warmer air. Afternoon highs will surge into the low 80s under partly sunny skies giving us a taste of early summer warmth. While a stray shower can’t be totally ruled out Monday afternoon, most of the area will stay dry.

Active Pattern Returns Midweek
Things look to turn more unsettled again by the middle of next week. A cold front is expected to push into the Ohio Valley late Tuesday and the Storm Prediction Center has already highlighted parts of our region for a risk of severe weather. Timing will be key—if storms arrive earlier in the evening, the severe threat could be more pronounced. That front will likely stall over the region setting up shop for several rounds of showers and storms Wednesday into Thursday. Some locally heavy rain and strong storms will be possible, and flooding could become a concern in spots.

Looking ahead to Derby Week: right now, Derby Day looks dry, while Oaks Day may still be on the damp side. Still some fine-tuning to do with that forecast, so stay tuned.