Strong storms and heavy rain continue across Kentucky into Memorial Day weekend
Flooding concerns and isolated severe storms remain possible before conditions slowly improve Saturday
Widespread Rain And Storms Soak The Region
It has been a soggy start to the day across Central and Eastern Kentucky as widespread showers pushed through the area through the morning hours and have continued into this afternoon.
Some areas are beginning to see brief breaks in the rain, especially across parts of southwestern Kentucky, but the overall weather pattern remains very active as an area of low pressure continues moving closer to the Ohio Valley.
Rainfall has already been fairly impressive in spots, and additional rounds of showers and storms are expected through the rest of the afternoon and evening.
Severe Weather Threat Continues Through This Evening
The atmosphere is becoming increasingly unstable this afternoon, and that is why the Storm Prediction Center has much of Kentucky under a Level 1 Marginal Risk for severe weather later today.
The main concern continues to be damaging wind gusts, but there is also the possibility for localized flash flooding due to repeated rounds of heavy rainfall. The atmosphere will potentially enough low-level wind shear and spin that an isolated spin-up tornado cannot be ruled out this afternoon or evening.
While all of the ingredients would need to come together perfectly for a tornado threat to fully develop, it is something that will need to be monitored closely through tonight.
If you have plans later this evening, make sure you have multiple ways to receive weather alerts and warnings.
Flood Watch In Effect For Northern Areas
In addition to the severe weather threat, flooding concerns are also increasing across parts of the region.
A Flood Watch remains in effect for areas near Interstate 64 and points north through 5 a.m. Saturday due to the potential for excessive rainfall and flash flooding.
Forecast models continue to indicate some locations could receive an additional 2 to 4 inches of rain where storms repeatedly move over the same areas. With the ground already saturated from recent rainfall earlier this week, localized flooding could develop quickly in low-lying and poor drainage areas.
Saturday Trending A Bit Drier
The good news is that Saturday is beginning to trend a little drier compared to earlier forecasts.
We will still keep scattered showers and a few storms in the forecast, especially during the morning hours, but rain coverage does not look as widespread as originally expected.
By later Saturday afternoon and evening, many areas could actually see a few dry stretches with temperatures warming into the mid to upper 70s.
Memorial Day Weekend Still Looks Unsettled
Rain chances will continue through the remainder of Memorial Day weekend and into much of next week as this active weather pattern stays locked over the Ohio Valley.
Sunday and Memorial Day itself are not looking like complete washouts, but scattered showers and storms will remain possible, especially during the afternoon and evening hours when daytime heating helps storms develop.
The biggest concern over the next several days may continue to be repeated heavy rainfall, as forecasters say some areas could pick up 2 to 4 inches of rain over the next week with isolated higher totals possible.
Temperatures through the extended forecast will remain fairly warm, with highs generally reaching the upper 70s to low 80s.
ABC 36 Storm Team 36 Hour Forecast
Friday Night
Showers and thunderstorms continue through the evening with locally heavy rainfall possible. Storms gradually taper overnight. Lows in the low to mid 60s.
Saturday
Scattered showers and isolated storms remain possible, but the day is trending drier overall with some dry breaks developing. Highs in the mid to upper 70s.
Saturday Night
Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated showers possible overnight. Mild with lows in the low 60s.
