Good Wednesday everyone. We are starting off this middle of the work week on a VERY chilly note with frosty conditions across most of the state. Consider this the big chill before the warm air and storms crank back up across the region later this week into the coming Derby Weekend.

Before we get to the warm stuff… let’s talk about the cold that is kicking off our day. Temps this morning will be in the low and mid 30s with frost common. A few of the traditional cold spots can dip into the upper 20s. Track the morning lows with the good folks at Kentucky Mesonet…

Sunny skies will boost temps today back into 60s for the first time in a few days. Even warmer air will surge in here as we roll our way into Thursday and Friday as a big storm cranks up across the plains states. Highs will soar well into the 70s for Thursday with more in the way of sunshine.

It is by Friday that I expect a big time surge of warmth in here on a strong southwesterly wind. Temps should hit the low and maybe middle 80s with partly sunny skies rolling on.

It is by the end of the day that clouds will start to increase from the west as a cold front inches closer from the west. This front will bring  a line of showers and thunderstorms in from west to east Friday night into Derby Day. Here is the GFS…

Saturday Morning

Saturday Evening

If that is the case… it could be a soggy Kentucky Derby with thunderstorms bringing heavy rains to much of the area. The potential for strong or severe thunderstorms will be with us as well during this time.

The rounds of showers and storms will continue into Sunday with more heavy rains and possible strong storms…

Sunday Morning

Once again the models are suggesting the potential for a lot of rain falling from the deep south into the Ohio Valley. Here is the latest GFS rainfall map for the weekend…

Ok.. that is all you guys get for now. Have a great Wednesday and take care.