Sunshine, warmth, and a taste of summer for early october

Warm, sunny days stick around before rain chances return early next week.

A Warm Start to October

We’ve started off the month of October on a warm and sunny note, keeping the same pattern we’ve seen for several days now. Highs today climbed into the low to mid-80s, which is well above normal for this time of year. Skies have stayed mostly sunny, and tonight we’ll dip back into the mid-50s under mostly clear conditions — a nice, cool evening to enjoy the outdoors.

The Weekend Outlook

As we head into Saturday and Sunday, expect more of the same. High pressure overhead will keep us warm and dry, with afternoon highs in the mid-80s and overnight lows in the 50s. This is classic fall-in-Kentucky weather — warm during the day, but comfortable at night. By Sunday night, temperatures will be slightly milder, holding in the upper 50s and low 60s as some moisture begins to build back into the region.

Changes Arrive Early Next Week

While the sunshine continues through the weekend, early next week brings a shift in our weather pattern. By Monday, we’ll start to see a bit more Gulf moisture creeping into the area, and that means isolated showers could pop up late in the day or into the evening. Rain chances look higher by Tuesday, when scattered showers and even a few storms become more likely as a cold front approaches the Ohio Valley.

Midweek Cool Down

That front sweeps through on Wednesday, bringing us back to cooler and drier conditions. Highs will fall into the low to mid-70s by Thursday and Friday, with mornings starting off much chillier in the 40s and 50s. After several days of above-normal warmth, this will feel much more like October.

Watching the Dry Spell

Even though showers are on the way early next week, most of Kentucky remains very dry. The latest drought monitor has shown some slight improvement, but without steady rain, drought conditions could worsen again in the coming weeks. Burn bans remain in place for several counties, so be sure to check local restrictions before doing any outdoor burning.

ABC 36 Storm Team 36-Hour Forecast

• Saturday Night: Mostly clear and mild, lows in the mid-50s.

• Sunday: Sunny and warm, highs in the mid to upper 80s.

• Sunday Night: Mostly clear with milder temps, lows in the upper 50s to near 60.