Cold Friday Wraps Up a Quiet Stretch Before Wintry Changes Arrive This Weekend
Cold, calm weather gives way to a weekend system bringing rain, flurries, and a touch of wintry mix.
A Beautiful but Bitterly Cold Friday
Friday brought plenty of sunshine across the region, but the cold was the real headline. Afternoon highs only reached the 30s, and with a persistent breeze, it felt even colder. As high pressure settled in, the dry air allowed for wide-open blue skies — but also let temperatures fall quickly.
Tonight, clear skies and calming winds will allow readings to drop into the upper teens and low 20s, especially in the Bluegrass. It’ll be another chilly night across the area, so bundle up if you’re headed out late or early Saturday morning.
Clouds Increase Saturday as Our Next System Approaches
Saturday starts off dry and cold, but changes begin through the morning as clouds steadily increase. Moisture from our next storm system, currently developing over the Plains, moves in from the west.
By late afternoon and evening, a band of precipitation approaches the region. While temperatures will still be cold enough aloft for flakes to mix in at the start, most places will transition to cold rain fairly quickly. Still, a few flurries or a brief wintry mix cannot be ruled out at onset for many of us.
Saturday Night Into Sunday: Mostly Rain, With a Few Flurries Hanging On
As warmer air moves in above the surface Saturday night, any snow or mix transitions to all rain. This system does not bring heavy precipitation ,amounts generally stay light, and temperatures will be just marginal enough to prevent widespread issues.
Some slick spots may form on bridges and overpasses, but overall impacts look minimal at this time.
Rain continues into Sunday morning before tapering off. Behind the cold front, winds shift to the west and turn blustery, keeping Sunday afternoon chilly with temperatures falling through the 30s and wind chills stuck in the 20s.
A Brief Break Monday Before the Next Wintry Chance
High pressure noses in Monday, bringing some sunshine but keeping highs in the 30s. It will be cold but quiet, a nice break between active systems.
However, the quiet stretch doesn’t last long.
Another storm system arrives Monday night into Tuesday, and this setup looks more favorable for accumulating snow somewhere in the region. There is still plenty of uncertainty regarding exact placement and precipitation type, but guidance suggests at least a wintry mix transitioning to snow for portions of Kentucky.
This system will need to be monitored closely over the next couple of days, as several key ingredients are still evolving.
ABC 36 Storm Team 36-Hour Forecast
Friday Night: Clear and very cold. Lows in the low 20s with wind chills in the upper teens.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy but chilly. Highs in the low 40s.
Saturday Night: Rain showers moving in with the chance of a wintry mix possible. Lows in the low-to-mid 30s.
