A hot and humid election day, with storm chances late
Hot and humid again Tuesday afternoon
The summer-like stretch continues across the Bluegrass with partly sunny skies and temperatures rising well into the upper 80s during the afternoon. A few spots could briefly touch 90 degrees before storms arrive later in the day.
Humidity levels stay elevated as well, making it feel noticeably muggy outside. Southwest winds will continue to pull warm air into the region ahead of an approaching cold front.
Most of the daytime hours across eastern Kentucky and the Bluegrass should stay dry, though clouds will gradually increase later in the afternoon.
Storms arrive this evening but weaken farther east
Showers and thunderstorms are expected to move into central Kentucky late in the afternoon before spreading east into the Bluegrass during the evening hours. These will be isolated at first, bringing brief lightning and downpours.
The biggest chance for storms head into the Bluegrass tonight as a cold front moves in. Stronger storms are expected to remain west of the region, but a few storms could still produce gusty winds and small hail before weakening after sunset. The overall severe weather threat decreases farther east into the Bluegrass as storms outrun the best instability and daytime heating.
Even so, periods of heavy rain and lightning will remain possible with any stronger storms that move through Tuesday evening, as well as a few strong wind gusts.
Storm coverage should gradually decrease overnight, although scattered showers and storms may linger into the first half of the night as the cold front slowly settles into the region.
More scattered storms possible Wednesday and Thursday
The front stalls near the area on Wednesday, keeping the chance for additional showers and thunderstorms around through the day, especially across eastern Kentucky and the Bluegrass.
Cloud cover and scattered rain should keep temperatures a bit cooler, with highs mainly in the upper 70s to lower 80s. A few stronger storms could still produce gusty winds or small hail, but widespread severe weather is not expected.
Showers begin tapering off Wednesday night as slightly drier air gradually works back into the region. They pick back up again heading into Thursday, with on and off showers through the afternoon.
Unsettled pattern continues into Memorial Day weekend
The forecast stays fairly active heading toward Memorial Day weekend, with several rounds of showers and thunderstorms expected from Friday through the holiday weekend.
It will not rain nonstop, but periods of storms and heavy downpours will remain possible at times as a warm, humid pattern stays locked in across Kentucky. High temperatures through the weekend should generally stay in the upper 70s to lower 80s.
The good news is that the repeated rainfall could help ease some of the recent dry conditions across the Bluegrass and eastern Kentucky. 2+ inches of rain are expected for most across the region, with locally higher amounts possible.
