Unseasonably cool across the region for the late week

After a stormy Tuesday that brought damaging winds and multiple rounds of heavy rain to Central and Eastern Kentucky, things finally calmed down on Wednesday. We traded the thunder and lightning for a quieter, cooler setup as a brisk west wind helped usher in more seasonable—if not chilly—air. Most areas stayed dry under a mix of sun and clouds, though a few isolated showers did manage to sneak into far northeastern Kentucky thanks to lingering upper-level energy.

Chilly May Weather Continues Thursday

It’s going to feel more like early April than late May on Thursday. An upper-level low spinning to our northeast will continue to funnel unseasonably cool air into the region. Afternoon highs will struggle to even make the mid-60s across much of the area, a good 10–15 degrees below normal for this time of year. A few scattered showers could pop up across Central and Eastern Kentucky but there should be some dry times as well. Factor in the breeze, and you’ll definitely want a light jacket on hand throughout the day.

Drying Out Just in Time for the Weekend (At Least Part of It)

Friday looks like a fantastic day to wrap up the workweek, albeit still on the cool side. As the upper-level low departs toward New England, high pressure will begin to nose in, bringing sunshine and dry air along with it. Mornings will be chilly, with lows dipping into the low and mid-40s, but highs will rebound into the mid to upper 60s by afternoon. Saturday also stays dry with partly sunny skies and highs inching closer to 70°—perfect for outdoor Memorial Day weekend plans.

Unsettled Weather Returns for the Holiday

Unfortunately, the quiet weather doesn’t stick around for long. Starting Sunday, a warm front lifting in from the south and an area of low pressure approaching from the west will reintroduce scattered showers and possibly a few rumbles of thunder. Rain chances look even higher for Memorial Day itself, with widespread showers expected and rainfall totals potentially reaching 1 to 3 inches in spots. While the severe weather threat appears low, localized flooding could become an issue with all that rain. Expect highs to hover around 70°, but the clouds and rain will make it feel cooler.

The unsettled pattern may linger into the middle of next week, and the below-average temperature trend is expected to stick around through the end of May.