Good Monday, folks. We are coming off a cold early October weekend with temps visiting the 20s for the first time this season. As we look into the week ahead, we find a strong fall storm system ready to bring changes to our part of the world.

As expected, the growing season came to a crashing halt this weekend…

As a matter of fact, it was a record tying morning in Lexington…

There’s that year I’ve been throwing around… 2000. Not only did we tie the record, but this is the coldest we’ve been this early in fall since… 2000. Regular readers know 2000 is an analog year for me for the fall and winter, so it’s good to see it off and running on a winning note.

Temps won’t be as cold this morning with lots of frosty 30s showing up to start the new week. This afternoon looks amazing once again with highs ranging from the upper 60s to middle 70s from east to west across the state.

Those numbers come up for Tuesday as we enjoy another amazing fall day here in Kentucky.

Changes begin to show up Wednesday as our strong fall storm system cranks across the plains and works into the Mississippi Valley. Mild temps will be joined by an increase in clouds and a gusty southwest wind as this system gets closer to us. A few late day showers and storms may even show up in the west.

Those showers and storms then overspread the region Wednesday night and Thursday as our fall cold front surges in here. Winds will be very gusty as temps crash quickly from west to east…

GFS

Winds may gust to 35-40mph along and behind that front and there’s even the chance for a few strong storms.

Watch how fast the above normal temps get replaced by the below normal numbers behind it…

Another shot of cold air then sweeps in here by the end of weekend into early next week. This one may be even colder…

That’s also likely to become a big wind maker around here and may bring flakes as close by as the high mountains in West Virginia.

Have a great start to the week and take care.