Strong winds and heavy rain move in Friday afternoon

Strong-to-damaging wind gusts will be possible on Friday as another power system sweeps through the Ohio Valley. A High Wind Warning goes into effect at Noon today in Central Kentucky and will last until 7 PM. This is the period where the strongest of the wind gusts, upwards of 50-60 mph will be possible.

Due to saturated ground conditions from heavy rain earlier in the week, scattered wind damage leading to power outages will be possible. The entire viewing area under a Wind Advisory through Saturday morning, wind gusts upwards of 40-50 mph will be possible during the morning and overnight hours.

GUSTY WINDS & RAIN

Rain will be accompanying the strong winds as well, that rain moves during the mid-to-late morning hours and will last through the afternoon. We are expecting a break in the rain during the afternoon hours. This will lead to a period of the strongest wind gusts. There is also a Level 1 Severe Risk in place for the day. A few strong-to-severe thunderstorms will be embedded within the rain.

There will be a changeover to snow showers taking place late this evening as the winds shift to more of a westerly/northwesterly wind. Temperatures will drop into the 20s, which could lead to isolated slick spots. However, snow is not a major concern with this system. Only light accumulation is in the forecast because snow chances will be gone by Saturday morning. Regardless, still be careful on roadways due to isolated slick & icy spots.

BITTER COLD

Cold conditions move in on Sunday behind a weak cold front. This front will pull in arctic air to central and eastern Kentucky. High temperatures on Sunday will struggle to reach the 20s with wind chill values pushing the single digits.

This cold air will be in place ahead of a chance of snow for early next week. The best chance of accumulation will be in eastern Kentucky Monday through Tuesday. This will likely come into two waves, the first wave on Monday with another around possible on Tuesday. There is still little agreement in the weather models, meaning there will still be some changes to this forecast.

Whether or not there will be accumulating snow will make a major difference in the temperatures for the middle of next week. If there is a layer of snow on the ground Wednesday and Thursday morning, overnight lows could push the low single digits. If there is not snow on the ground, temperatures will still be cold but not quite pushing sub-zero temps. Stay with the ABC 36 Storm Team as we continue to monitor this bitter cold and snow threat.

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ABC 36 HOUR FORECAST
FRIDAY: Rain and high winds. Highs in the 50s, with wind gusts up to 60 mph possible.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Changeover from rain to snow will falling temperatures. Lows in the 20s, wind gusts upwards of 50 mph.
SATURDAY: Partly cloudy skies and chilly temperatures. Highs in the low 30s.