Rain and storm chances pick up to end the week

It’s been a welcome change of pace this week with several dry and warm days across Central and Eastern Kentucky—something we haven’t had a lot of this spring. Thursday kept the streak going with afternoon highs in the low to mid-80s, mixed clouds, and some sunshine. However, a stalled front just to our west sparked a few isolated storms, and that front will play a bigger role in our weather as we close out the week and head into the weekend.

Stormy Friday Ahead—Some Could Be Severe

We’re tracking a large complex of thunderstorms expected to develop over the Central Plains and move eastward toward Kentucky by early Friday. While it may weaken some overnight, the system could restrengthen over the Commonwealth as it taps into a very warm and humid air mass. If that happens, we could see organized thunderstorms by Friday afternoon and evening, some of which could turn severe.

The Storm Prediction Center has placed much of Central and Eastern Kentucky in a Level 2 out of 5 severe weather risk for Friday. The main concern will be damaging winds, although heavy rainfall may lead to localized flooding, especially where storms train over the same areas. The window for the strongest storms looks to be late afternoon through the evening, so make sure you have a way to get alerts and stay weather aware.

Storm Chances Linger Into Saturday—Main Focus South

As the frontal system slowly drifts south into Saturday, scattered showers and thunderstorms will stick around. Areas south of the Hal Rogers Parkway and KY-80 corridor—including parts of southern Kentucky—are under another Level 2 severe risk, where another round of stronger storms may fire. Farther north, the storm threat becomes more scattered, but any outdoor plans should still come with a backup rain plan or umbrella.

Despite the unsettled setup, highs will remain near 80°, so it will still feel seasonably warm even with clouds and showers around.

Sunday May Be the Pick of the Weekend

If you’re looking for a drier day this weekend, Sunday could be your best bet. We’ll be wedged between weather systems, which should give us lower rain chances, though a stray shower can’t be ruled out. Skies will be partly cloudy at times, and highs will once again hover around the 80-degree mark—a decent setup for any early summer plans if you’re willing to roll the dice on a quick shower.

Unsettled Pattern Continues Early Next Week

Don’t put away the umbrella just yet—another frontal boundary is poised to slide in from the northwest early next week, keeping the chance for scattered showers and storms in the picture through Monday and Tuesday. Afternoon highs will settle back into the upper 70s, but it doesn’t look like a washout, just periods of on-and-off activity.

Looking ahead to the middle of next week, we may finally turn a corner with drier and more pleasant weather as sunshine returns and highs climb back into the low 80s—right where we should be for early June.