Few showers and storms Monday ahead of another severe weather risk on Tuesday

Showers and storms possible across south-central Kentucky today ahead of more widespread storms Tuesday

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – While skies will stay mostly cloudy through the day, most of us are enjoying a dry start to the workweek. A few spotty showers and thunderstorms are possible, especially southwest of the Lexington area, but overall rain chances today remain low. Highs this afternoon will top out in the mid-70s, which is seasonably comfortable for mid-May.

Overnight tonight and into early Tuesday, rain chances start to rise again as a potent storm system begins to organize to our west. This will set the stage for a more active weather pattern on Tuesday—with strong to severe storms and heavy rainfall expected across the region.

Tuesday: All Eyes on the Threat for Severe Weather

Tuesday is shaping up to be an active and potentially dangerous weather day. As low pressure tracks through the Ohio Valley, a surge of warmth and moisture will move in ahead of a cold front, helping to destabilize the atmosphere—especially by the afternoon and evening hours.

The Storm Prediction Center has placed all of central and eastern Kentucky under a Level 2 out of 5 Severe Risk for Tuesday. While the greatest instability looks to develop across southern and central parts of the state, all forms of severe weather will be possible, including:

• Damaging straight-line winds

• Large hail

• A few tornadoes

• Heavy rainfall with localized flash flooding

In addition to the severe risk, the Weather Prediction Center has placed our area under a Level 2 out of 4 Flash Flood Risk. A widespread 1–2 inches of rain is expected, with locally higher totals where multiple storms track over the same areas. Some storms may come in clusters or even develop into a squall line by the evening, increasing the potential for gusty winds and torrential downpours.

While some morning rain and thunder could greet us Tuesday, the greatest threat for stronger and more organized storms will arrive during the afternoon and evening hours.

Cooler Pattern Returns Midweek

Behind Tuesday’s cold front, noticeably cooler air will arrive just in time for midweek. Highs on Wednesday will struggle to reach the low 70s in many spots, and overnight lows may dip into the upper 40s. This kicks off a stretch of below-average temperatures that will carry us into the start of Memorial Day weekend.

With an upper-level trough locked in over the eastern U.S., we’ll stay in a pattern that supports occasional clouds, spotty showers, and cooler-than-normal temperatures—highs in the upper 60s to near 70, with lows in the 40s to low 50s.

Stay weather aware as we head into Tuesday. We’ll continue to track this next round of storms closely—be sure to follow the ABC 36 Storm Team on-air and online for updates as confidence in storm timing and impacts increases.