Warm Wednesday ahead of a weak cold front
Meteorologist Dillon Gaudet has the latest in your full ABC 36 Storm Team forecast
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – After a chilly start this morning, we’ll warm up nicely this afternoon with highs reaching the upper 60s to near 70 across central and eastern Kentucky. Southwest winds will help pump in the warmth, but changes are already on the horizon. A cold front will bring scattered showers and perhaps a rumble of thunder late this evening and into the overnight hours.
Midweek Rain and a Drop in Temperatures
This front will push showers through the region between 7 PM and 3 AM, with moderate to locally heavy rainfall possible. Rainfall amounts will generally range from 0.25” to 0.50″, which won’t be a drought buster but could lead to some wet roads for the Thursday morning commute. A few gusty winds up to 25 mph may also accompany the front.
Thursday will be noticeably cooler, with highs struggling to reach the upper 40s to near 50. After a brief lull in precipitation early in the day, another round of scattered showers will develop by late afternoon and evening. The colder air aloft may allow for some small hail or graupel to mix in with these showers, particularly in eastern Kentucky. A few rumbles of thunder can’t be ruled out either.
Weekend Changes: A Cold Blast Incoming
Friday morning starts cold, with lows in the low 30s, but a southwest breeze will push temperatures back into the mid-50s by the afternoon. However, don’t get too used to the warmth—another cold front will move in late Friday into Saturday, bringing a reinforcing shot of chilly air.
The weekend will turn colder, especially by Sunday. After starting off in the 20s, highs may struggle to reach the upper 30s to low 40s. Some upslope-driven flurries or light showers may be possible in far eastern Kentucky Saturday night into early Sunday, but moisture looks limited.
Looking Ahead: A More Active Setup Next Week
Early next week starts cold but quiet, with Monday morning lows in the 20s and highs in the low 50s. A stronger system is expected to develop by midweek, bringing the potential for rain, storms, and gusty winds. There’s still uncertainty regarding the strength and timing of this system, but it will likely be followed by another shot of colder air.
Stay with the ABC 36 Storm Team for more updates.
