More rain and storm chances into the mid-week

We'll see some cooler air returning to close out the month

3 hours ago

T.G. Shuck,

With a cold front pressing toward the commonwealth during the early hours of Tuesday, we saw strong to severe thunderstorms roll across Central and Eastern Kentucky before daybreak bringing lots of wind and a number of wind damage reports across the area. There were even a few confirmed weak tornadoes out in Western Kentucky west of the I-65 corridor. Things settled down after sunrise with some low clouds and drizzle lingering through the morning before we saw a few breaks in the clouds and some sunshine through the afternoon hours. This allowed temperatures to climb back into the mid to upper 70s for highs so it was another spring-like day.

The active weather pattern is set to continue into the mid-week as a wave of low pressure rides along the stalled out frontal boundary sitting over the region. Much of the data is showing a complex of thunderstorms rolling through the area late Tuesday evening and into early Wednesday. The most favorable area for strong to potentially severe storms will be across our far southwestern counties down around Lake Cumberland where the Storm Prediction Center has a Level 2 severe risk (out of 5) with the majority of Central and Eastern Kentucky in a Level 1 risk. Damaging winds and hail will be the primary threats with the typical low-end tornado threat on the table, although the chances for a spin-up look less likely than what we saw Monday night/early Tuesday. Once the complex moves east, look for lingering showers through Wednesday morning before the activity tapers off as drier air works into the area late. Afternoon highs should back off a bit with temperatures topping out in the mid to upper 60s.

Look for some cooler air to filter in for the final day of April on Thursday despite plenty of sunshine expected. It should be a pleasant spring day with afternoon highs in the low-60s, which is roughly 10 degrees below average for this time of the year. A weak boundary will drop in for Oaks Day on Friday so look for a few more clouds around and a very low end shower chance, although most locations may end up dry. temperatures will remain below the curve for the first day of May as afternoon highs only reach the low-60s once again.

Heading into Derby Day on Saturday the combination of a northwest flow aloft and a southern stream system will keep things unseasonably cool but pleasant for the big day. From Lexington over to Louisville we should see some filtered sunshine and afternoon highs struggling to get out of the upper 50s and into the low-60s. Dress accordingly if you are headed over to Churchill Downs or to any Derby party as conditions will be pleasantly cool. Far Southern Kentucky should see a bit more cloudiness as a wave of low pressure passes by to the south and it’s possible a shower or two could sneak up along the Kentucky/Tennessee border although most spots should be rain free. Expect some chilly mornings this weekend before temperatures start to moderate a bit with highs back into the mid-60s on Sunday with sunshine before we see low end shower chances return early next week as temperatures climb back toward 70 degrees for afternoon highs.