Frigid start to Friday ahead of a gradual warm-up
Meteorologist Dillon Gaudet has the latest in your full ABC 36 Storm Team forecast
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – Bundle up! It’s a bitterly cold start to your Friday morning, with temperatures plunging into the low single digits and even below zero in some spots across south-central Kentucky. Clear skies and calm winds allowed for ideal radiational cooling overnight, though some cloud cover has crept into the northern half of the region. These clouds are also producing occasional flurries, particularly in northeast Kentucky, though no accumulations are expected.
Despite the frigid start, we’ll see some improvement by this afternoon as temperatures climb into the upper 20s and low 30s. High pressure will dominate the region, keeping winds light, though lingering cloud cover may still limit some warming in northern parts of the area.
The Warm-Up Begins
After another cold night with lows in the teens, temperatures will begin a slow but steady climb into the weekend. Saturday remains chilly but slightly better, with highs reaching the mid-to-upper 30s under partly sunny skies. By Sunday, we’ll see even more improvement as highs return to the low-to-mid 40s.
Monday marks a significant shift as temperatures finally climb above average. Highs will reach the low 50s across much of the region, setting the stage for even milder conditions midweek. By Tuesday and Wednesday, we’ll see peak temperatures for this warm-up, with widespread mid-50s and even some low 60s in southern Kentucky.
Unsettled Weather Returns Mid-to-Late Week
While we enjoy the warm-up, changes are on the horizon. A couple of weather systems will move through the Ohio Valley next week, increasing rain chances and eventually bringing another shot of colder air. The first system, a weak clipper system, will pass to our north on Tuesday, possibly bringing some light rain to northern Kentucky. The bigger system to watch arrives Wednesday into Thursday, with better moisture availability and the potential for more widespread rain.
As this system moves out, a cold front will usher in much colder air by the end of the week. Depending on the timing of the cold air arrival, some locations could see a transition from rain to a brief period of wintry precipitation Thursday night or Friday morning. Details remain uncertain at this time, but we’ll be monitoring this closely in the coming days.
Stay with the ABC 36 Storm Team for more updates.
