A cool and breezy spring day with warmer temperatures ahead

Chilly morning with clouds passing by

Temperatures Tuesday morning are off to a cold start, sitting in the 30s and 40s across the region. Patchy frost has developed in some of the colder, sheltered valleys, especially in typical low-lying areas. Frost Advisories will expire at 10 AM.

You may notice a few clouds drifting overhead throughout the morning. That’s tied to a system passing well to our west, but thanks to very dry air near the surface, any precipitation will evaporate before reaching the ground. In other words, we stay completely dry.

By the afternoon, temperatures will only climb into the low 50s for most areas, making this one of the cooler days of the week. A steady north to northeast wind will pick up, with gusts reaching up to 20 mph at times. That breeze, combined with very dry air, will give the day a brisk feel.

It’s also not great news for allergy sufferers. The dry, breezy conditions will allow allergens like pollen to spread more easily, so if you’ve been feeling it lately, today may be a tougher one. Having allergy medication on hand is a good idea.

Another cold night, but frost may be limited

As we head into Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, temperatures drop back into the 30s once again.

While it will still be cold enough for some frost in sheltered valleys and low-lying areas, especially across parts of eastern Kentucky, the overall frost threat looks a bit lower compared to previous nights. That’s because very dry air and a light breeze may prevent widespread frost formation.

Even so, a few spots could dip below freezing, so it’s still a good idea to protect any sensitive plants.

Midweek warm-up begins Wednesday

By Wednesday afternoon, things start to turn around. High pressure shifts to our east, allowing winds to turn out of the south. That change in wind direction brings warmer air back into the region, helping temperatures climb into the upper 60s and low 70s.

With sunshine and lighter winds, it will feel much more comfortable compared to the chilly start earlier in the week.

The warming trend doesn’t stop there. Temperatures continue to climb through the rest of the week, with widespread 70s expected by Thursday and into the weekend. By Sunday, some spots could even reach the low 80s, putting us well above average for this time of year. It’s a dramatic turnaround from the frost concerns earlier in the week.

Dry weather will also stick around for most of this stretch. With very little rainfall expected, it’s a good time to water plants and gardens, especially as temperatures rise.

Small rain chances late week, but most stay dry

Looking ahead, the only real chance for rain comes late in the week. A weak front approaching the region could bring a slight chance for a shower or thunderstorm Friday into Saturday. Right now, that chance remains low, around 20 percent, and looks to be mainly north of the area.

Most locations will likely stay dry, and even where a shower develops, it will be brief and isolated.

Perfect stretch for outdoor plans

With warm temperatures and mostly dry conditions, it’s shaping up to be a great stretch to get outside. Whether you’re heading out to enjoy spring weather or making plans for events like opening week at Keeneland, the forecast is largely in your favor.