Temperatures expected to drop sharply, with highs in the 30s by Sunday
After a wet start to Friday with gusty showers and a few rumbles of thunder across Central and Eastern Kentucky, the unseasonably mild air of the past several days lingered a bit longer as rain tapered off. Gusty southwest winds of 10 to 20 mph, with occasional gusts over 30 mph, helped push afternoon highs into the mid to upper 60s. Some locations, including Lexington, came close to record highs for the day despite lingering clouds as a weak front moved through the region. That spring-like warmth, however, won’t last into the weekend.
A secondary low pressure system to the southwest will move into the area early Saturday as another cold front follows from the west. This setup will bring scattered, hit-or-miss showers to start the weekend. The threat for strong storms has diminished, with the best chances now well south along the Gulf Coast. While rain isn’t expected to be widespread, keeping rain gear handy is a good idea for Saturday plans.
Temperatures will remain above average for early January but noticeably cooler than recent days. Highs should reach the low to mid-50s early Saturday afternoon before falling into the 40s by evening as the cold front passes.
A sharp return to winter arrives for the second half of the weekend. Brisk northwest winds will usher in much colder air on Sunday, with afternoon highs struggling to reach the low to mid-30s. Winds of 10 to 15 mph, with higher gusts, will push wind chills into the upper teens and low 20s, making it feel even colder. A weak disturbance may produce a few light snow showers or flurries, though no significant impacts are expected.
High pressure will move in early next week, allowing temperatures to rebound quickly. Sunshine returns Monday, with highs climbing about 10 degrees higher than Sunday into the low to mid-40s.
Looking ahead, another clipper system is expected midweek. Tuesday should be seasonable with a mix of clouds and sun and highs in the upper 40s to low 50s. Rain showers are possible Wednesday, and if colder air catches up to lingering moisture, a few snow showers could mix in. Colder air is likely to follow late next week, with highs dropping back into the low to mid-30s and a few flurries possible Thursday.
36-Hour Forecast
Friday Night: Cloudy with showers returning. Lows in the upper 40s to low 50s.
Wind: East 5–10 mph
Saturday: Scattered showers, turning cooler late. Highs in the mid to upper 50s.
Wind: West 5–10 mph
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy and cold. Lows in the upper 20s.
Wind: West 5–10 mph
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