Cold lingers tonight before a warm up arrives across Kentucky

Sunshine returns Monday with temperatures climbing into the 50s before rain chances develop Tuesday evening

Cold hangs on tonight before a big warm-up arrives across Kentucky

While today stayed chilly across central and eastern Kentucky, change is finally on the way. Clouds kept temperatures from warming much this afternoon, with most communities stuck in the mid to upper 20s, though some southern spots managed to climb into the 30s. Even with the cold, things are setting up nicely for a noticeable warm-up to start the new week.

Clouds stick around tonight with another cold night ahead

Tonight will remain mostly cloudy across much of the area, and that cloud cover will help keep temperatures from falling quite as sharply as previous nights. Even so, it will still be cold, with lows dropping into the low 20s for most locations. A few northern communities could slip into the upper teens before temperatures level off overnight.

Monday brings sunshine and a much-needed temperature rebound

Monday is when things finally start to feel more like late winter instead of the deep freeze we’ve been stuck in. An upper-level ridge moves overhead, allowing sunshine to return and warmer air to push in.

Highs will climb into the upper 40s and even low 50s across parts of central and southern Kentucky. After days of below-freezing afternoons, this will feel like a major improvement.

There’s also a chance for some patchy fog late Monday night as warmer, slightly more humid air flows in over melting snow and damp ground. Not everyone will see it, but it’s something to watch heading into Tuesday morning.

Tuesday turns even warmer with a few showers possible in the south

The warming trend continues Tuesday, and many communities will reach the mid to upper 50s, with a few southern spots flirting with 60 degrees.

A weak cold front will approach late Tuesday, and while most of the area stays dry, a few rain showers could develop Tuesday evening, mainly across southern Kentucky. Rainfall amounts look light and many northern areas may not see anything at all.

Any showers that do form should move out by early Wednesday morning.

Cooler but dry midweek before active weather returns

Behind Tuesday’s front, temperatures will cool slightly but remain seasonable. Highs Wednesday and Thursday will settle back into the 40s and low 50s with mostly dry conditions.

Looking ahead toward late week and next weekend, the pattern becomes more active again. Several systems could bring additional rain chances, and possibly some wintry precipitation depending on how temperatures line up. Forecast confidence drops later in the week, but it’s something the ABC 36 Storm Team will be watching closely.

ABC 36 Storm Team 36-Hour Forecast

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy and cold. Low temperatures in the low 20s.

Monday: Partly sunny and much warmer. Highs in the upper 40s to near 50 degrees.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy with a chance of patchy fog developing late. Lows in the low to mid 30s.