After record warmth on Wednesday, rain and cooler temperatures return late week
Much of the area saw highs in the low 80s mid-week thanks to sunshine and breezy conditions
It didn’t feel much like early November across Central and Eastern Kentucky on Wednesday. In fact it felt more like mid-September across the region with record setting afternoon highs into the low 80s! The combination of sunshine and a strong southwest wind pushed temperatures into the upper 70s and low 80s and shattered many record temperatures in the process. Here in Lexington, we had already eclipsed the old record high of 77 set back in 2020 before Noon! This is only the 11th time that we’ve seen an afternoon high of 80 degrees or above during the month of November since record keeping started back in the late 1800s. The only downside of the the warmth and wind is that it made the on-going forest fire situation across Southeastern Kentucky even more challenging for crews battling the blazes as the wind whips the flames. Luckily some rain chances are on the horizon.
The cold front will move into the region on Thursday with scattered showers and cooler temperatures. Unfortunately the rain looks spotty and we could actually see a bit of a break into the afternoon hours with a mix of clouds and sunshine and highs only recovering into the mid-60s. Given the on-going drought situation, any water in the ground is a positive thing.
We may actually see our better chance of more widespread rain as we head into Friday, especially across Southern Kentucky where it is desperately needed. Even though the rain should be in and out in fairly short order, we could see .50″-1″ totals with localized higher amounts the farther south you travel. Not a drought buster but it will be good catch a few showers as that wave slides by to our south. It will be even cooler on Friday with highs only into the mid-50s.
Looking ahead to the weekend, high pressure will build in from the west setting us up for a delightful Veterans Day with some sunshine and pleasantly cool highs into the mid to upper 50s. Conditions should be pretty ideal as the Cats finish up the 2023 home football campaign with a huge game against Alabama. The second half of the weekend still looks good at this point but we’ll have to watch a wave of energy close to the area which may try to throw a shower to the north early Sunday. Next week looks dry and mild with highs back into the low and mid-60s.
ABC 36 HOUR FORECAST
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Breezy and mild with showers late. Lows in the low 60s.
THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy and cooler, a few showers. Highs in the mid-60s.
THURSDAY NIGHT: Cooler with more rain late. Lows in the upper-40s.
