Showers and storms continue across Kentucky before brief break Thursday

Much-needed rainfall continues across the region before another round of widespread showers and storms arrives Friday

Stormy And Muggy Conditions Across The Region

It has been another warm and muggy day across Central and Eastern Kentucky, but unlike the last several days, much of the area has also dealt with widespread showers and thunderstorms through the afternoon and evening hours.

Some storms became strong enough to prompt a few Severe Thunderstorm Warnings across portions of the viewing area earlier today. Thankfully, the rain has also brought some much-needed moisture to the region as drought conditions continue across Kentucky.

Rainfall totals so far today have ranged anywhere from just a trace amount to nearly an inch in some locations, with locally higher amounts possible where storms repeatedly moved over the same areas.

The ongoing rainfall is being driven by a slow-moving cold front combined with deep Gulf moisture streaming northward into the Ohio Valley.

Showers Continue Tonight Before Drying Begins Thursday

As we head through tonight, showers will gradually begin shifting eastward as the cold front slowly pushes farther southeast.

Some additional spotty showers will remain possible overnight, especially across Central and Eastern Kentucky, while areas north of the Ohio River should begin drying out after midnight.

Temperatures tonight will also cool down a bit compared to the last several nights, with overnight lows expected to fall into the mid 50s to low 60s.

The good news is that Thursday looks noticeably quieter for much of the region.

Thursday Brings Cooler Temperatures And Some Sunshine

Thursday will feature a much more comfortable weather pattern across Kentucky.

Cloud cover may linger through the morning hours, especially across southern and eastern portions of the state, but drier air moving in from the north should gradually help break up the clouds during the afternoon.

Afternoon highs are expected to settle back closer to average, with most communities reaching the low to mid 70s Thursday afternoon.

A stray isolated shower cannot be ruled out, mainly near the Tennessee border, but many locations should remain dry for most of the day.

Thursday night will stay mild with overnight lows dropping into the upper 50s and low 60s.

Rain Chances Ramp Back Up Friday

Unfortunately, the dry weather will not last very long.

We are tracking another disturbance expected to move northeast out of Texas and into the Ohio Valley by Friday. This system will once again increase moisture across the region and bring widespread showers and thunderstorms back into the forecast.

While the severe weather threat currently looks limited, storms on Friday could still produce gusty winds, lightning, and periods of heavy rainfall.

Wet Pattern Continues Through Memorial Day Weekend

The overall weather pattern remains very active heading into Memorial Day weekend and early next week.

Additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected Saturday through Monday as a stalled frontal boundary and several disturbances continue moving through the Ohio Valley. It will not rain all day every day, but scattered periods of rain and storms will remain possible throughout the holiday weekend.

Temperatures during this stretch will stay fairly seasonable, with highs generally in the upper 70s to lower 80s.

The good news is that all of this rainfall will continue helping improve drought conditions across Kentucky after weeks of dry weather.

ABC 36 Storm Team 36 Hour Forecast

Wednesday Night

Showers gradually taper off overnight with cloudy skies remaining. Lows fall into the mid 50s to low 60s.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy early with gradual clearing through the afternoon. Slight chance for an isolated shower south. Highs in the low to mid 70s.

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy and mild with overnight lows in the upper 50s to low 60s.