kywx
Kentucky AI Weather Engine

Kentucky AI Forecasting Beta

Wed, Mar 11
Fri, Mar 13
Forecast For

Thursday, March 12

Updated Mar 12, 6:59 AM EDT

NWS Alerts Active This Day

Flood Warning

Mar 11, 12:04 PM -> Mar 12, 2:15 PM
Severe Severity

Flood Warning issued March 11 at 11:04AM CDT until March 13 at 8:30AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY

Flood Warning

Mar 11, 12:04 PM -> Mar 12, 2:15 PM
Severe Severity

Flood Warning issued March 11 at 11:04AM CDT until March 14 at 3:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY

Flood Warning

Mar 11, 12:04 PM -> Mar 12, 2:15 PM
Severe Severity

Flood Warning issued March 11 at 11:04AM CDT until March 12 at 8:12PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY

Flood Warning

Mar 11, 12:04 PM -> Mar 12, 2:15 PM
Severe Severity

Flood Warning issued March 11 at 11:04AM CDT until March 16 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY

Special Weather Statement

Mar 11, 7:41 PM -> Mar 11, 8:15 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued March 11 at 7:41PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Special Weather Statement

Mar 11, 7:53 PM -> Mar 11, 8:45 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued March 11 at 7:53PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Flood Warning

Mar 12, 12:58 PM -> Mar 13, 8:00 AM
Severe Severity

Flood Warning issued March 12 at 11:58AM CDT until March 13 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY

Flood Warning

Mar 12, 12:58 PM -> Mar 13, 3:00 PM
Severe Severity

Flood Warning issued March 12 at 11:58AM CDT until March 14 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY

Flood Warning

Mar 12, 12:58 PM -> Mar 13, 3:00 PM
Severe Severity

Flood Warning issued March 12 at 11:58AM CDT until March 15 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY

Wind Advisory

Mar 12, 3:31 PM -> Mar 12, 11:45 PM
Moderate Severity

Wind Advisory issued March 12 at 3:31PM EDT until March 13 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Wind Advisory

Mar 12, 3:31 PM -> Mar 12, 11:45 PM
Moderate Severity

Wind Advisory issued March 12 at 3:31PM EDT until March 13 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Wind Advisory

Mar 12, 3:36 PM -> Mar 13, 7:00 AM
Moderate Severity

Wind Advisory issued March 12 at 3:36PM EDT until March 13 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY

Wind Advisory

Mar 12, 3:36 PM -> Mar 13, 7:00 AM
Moderate Severity

Wind Advisory issued March 12 at 3:36PM EDT until March 13 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY

Wind Advisory

Mar 12, 4:56 PM -> Mar 13, 1:00 AM
Moderate Severity

Wind Advisory issued March 12 at 4:56PM EDT until March 13 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV

Wind Advisory

Mar 12, 7:33 PM -> Mar 13, 5:00 AM
Moderate Severity

Wind Advisory issued March 12 at 7:33PM EDT until March 13 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Confidence
45%

How Did We Do?

Comparing our AI forecast to actual observations from Thursday, March 12, 2026.

Temperature
±8.8°F
Average Error
Precipitation
±11.63"
Average Error
Wind Speed
±4.2mph
Average error

Regional Assessments

Purchase Area

Paducah, Murray, Mayfield
Temperature
Forecast
52° / 35°
Actual
54° / 33°
Error: -2°F high, 2°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0"
Actual
0"
✓ Within forecast range
Wind Speed
Forecast
15 / 28 mph
Actual
9 / 33 mph
Mesonet Stations HCKM, BAND

Northwest Pennyrile

Owensboro, Henderson, Morganfield
Temperature
Forecast
50° / 35°
Actual
54° / 32°
Error: -4°F high, 3°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0"
Actual
0"
✓ Within forecast range
Wind Speed
Forecast
16 / 25 mph
Actual
9 / 33 mph
Mesonet Stations FRNY, RPTN, GRHM, DIXO

Southwest Pennyrile

Hopkinsville, Madisonville, Princeton
Temperature
Forecast
51° / 37°
Actual
53° / 34°
Error: -2°F high, 3°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0"
Actual
1.15"
±1.15" off
Wind Speed
Forecast
16 / 28 mph
Actual
10 / 31 mph
Mesonet Stations PRNC, PGHL, ERLN, CADZ, CCTY

Barren River

Bowling Green, Glasgow, Franklin
Temperature
Forecast
52° / 37°
Actual
54° / 36°
Error: -2°F high, 1°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0"
Actual
1.01"
±1.01" off
Wind Speed
Forecast
14 / 25 mph
Actual
10 / 30 mph
Mesonet Stations FARM, WDBY, EWPK

Louisville Metro

Louisville, La Grange, Shepherdsville
Temperature
Forecast
50° / 36°
Actual
51° / 34°
Error: -1°F high, 2°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0"
Actual
0"
✓ Within forecast range
Wind Speed
Forecast
13 / 26 mph
Actual
10 / 32 mph
Mesonet Stations LGRN

Lincoln Trail

Elizabethtown, Bardstown, Leitchfield
Temperature
Forecast
50° / 37°
Actual
54° / 32°
Error: -4°F high, 5°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0"
Actual
2.31"
±2.31" off
Wind Speed
Forecast
14 / 25 mph
Actual
9 / 30 mph
Mesonet Stations CRMT, BLRK, CCLA, BRND, HARD

Lake Cumberland

Somerset, Columbia, Monticello
Temperature
Forecast
49° / 36°
Actual
64° / 32°
Error: -15°F high, 4°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0.1"
Actual
18.53"
±18.43" off
Wind Speed
Forecast
12 / 25 mph
Actual
8 / 31 mph
Mesonet Stations PCWN, CMBA, GRDR, WOOD, GRBG

Northern Kentucky

Covington, Florence, Independence
Temperature
Forecast
47° / 34°
Actual
49° / 32°
Error: -2°F high, 2°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0"
Actual
0"
✓ Within forecast range
Wind Speed
Forecast
11 / 25 mph
Actual
8 / 30 mph
Mesonet Stations HHTS, HUEY

Inner Bluegrass

Lexington, Georgetown, Winchester
Temperature
Forecast
48° / 35°
Actual
66° / 34°
Error: -18°F high, 1°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0"
Actual
1.86"
±1.86" off
Wind Speed
Forecast
15 / 27 mph
Actual
12 / 31 mph
Mesonet Stations LXGN, SPIN

Bluegrass Foothills

Richmond, Danville, Berea
Temperature
Forecast
48° / 35°
Actual
63° / 36°
Error: -15°F high, -1°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0.3"
Actual
3.68"
±3.3800000000000003" off
Wind Speed
Forecast
12 / 24 mph
Actual
9 / 26 mph
Mesonet Stations LGNT

Northeast Kentucky

Ashland, Morehead, Grayson
Temperature
Forecast
47° / 36°
Actual
68° / 35°
Error: -21°F high, 1°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0.4"
Actual
8.4"
±8" off
Wind Speed
Forecast
10 / 23 mph
Actual
8 / 36 mph
Mesonet Stations MRHD, CHTR

Southeast Kentucky

Hazard, Pikeville, Harlan
Temperature
Forecast
46° / 35°
Actual
65° / 33°
Error: -19°F high, 2°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
1"
Actual
104.48"
±103.48" off
Wind Speed
Forecast
10 / 22 mph
Actual
6 / 30 mph
Mesonet Stations BMBL, QKSD, BNVL, VEST, RFVC, RFSM, PBDY

Morning Slushy Snow Southeast; Sunshine Returns Elsewhere

A departing shortwave trough will bring rain and a transition to wet snow in Southeast Kentucky early Thursday. Rapid clearing will follow from west to east by midday, leading to a breezy and chilly afternoon statewide.

Why is this happening?
Technical explanation of the atmospheric setup
Confidence Assessment

High confidence in the clearing trend for the western two-thirds of the state, but significant model disagreement on precipitation type and accumulation in the mountains leads to a lower overall score.

Get Personalized Forecasts

Choose which region in Kentucky you're interested in and we'll always show you that one first. You can change your selected region by clicking the "Star" icon on any regional forecast.

Purchase Area

Paducah, Murray, Mayfield
Full Sunshine and Breezy
Sunny
52°/ 35°

Northwest Pennyrile

Owensboro, Henderson, Morganfield
Bright and Chilly Afternoon
Sunny
50°/ 35°

Southwest Pennyrile

Hopkinsville, Madisonville, Princeton
Clear Skies and Gusty Winds
Sunny
51°/ 37°

Barren River

Bowling Green, Glasgow, Franklin
Early Morning Sprinkles Giving Way to Sun
Sunny
52°/ 37°

Louisville Metro

Louisville, La Grange, Shepherdsville
Morning Clouds Clear for a Sunny Drive Home
Cloudy
50°/ 36°

Lincoln Trail

Elizabethtown, Bardstown, Leitchfield
Clouds Breaking for Afternoon Sun
Cloudy
50°/ 37°

Lake Cumberland

NUISANCE
Somerset, Columbia, Monticello
Damp Morning with Flurries Possible
Wintry_Mix
49°/ 36°

Northern Kentucky

Covington, Florence, Independence
Cold and Overcast Morning
Cloudy
47°/ 34°

Inner Bluegrass

Lexington, Georgetown, Winchester
Breezy and Chilly with Morning Clouds
Cloudy
48°/ 35°

Bluegrass Foothills

NUISANCE
Richmond, Danville, Berea
Wet Snow Flurries Possible Early
Wintry_Mix
48°/ 35°

Northeast Kentucky

NUISANCE
Ashland, Morehead, Grayson
Slushy Mix Early, Clearing Late
Wintry_Mix
47°/ 36°

Southeast Kentucky

IMPACTFUL
Hazard, Pikeville, Harlan
Morning Slushy Snow Accumulations
Snow
46°/ 35°

Possible Outcomes

Weather forecasting involves uncertainty. Below are two scenarios representing the range of possible outcomes: the "Boom" scenario shows the worst-case/highest-impact result if conditions align unfavorably, while the "Bust" scenario shows the best-case/lowest-impact result if the forecast doesn't materialize as expected.

💥

The 'Boom' Scenario

If dynamic cooling is maximized and the moisture plume slows, higher elevations in the Southeast Coalfields could see 2-3 inches of heavy, wet snow, with a brief slushy coating extending into the Bluegrass Foothills.

💨

The 'Bust' Scenario

If the warmer Euro/GEM solutions verify, the moisture exits before the 850mb zero-degree isotherm arrives, resulting in a cold morning rain for the east with no snow accumulation.

Model Disagreements

When models disagree, a call must be made to determine the most likely outcome. This decision is based on a combination of factors including model performance, historical data, and the models general accounting of each climatic region of Kentucky.

The Southeast Slush Struggle

A sharp disagreement exists regarding the thermal profile in the Southeast Coalfields. The NAM and GFS are cold enough to support a transition from rain to snow before the moisture exits, while the Euro and GEM keep the column just warm enough for a pure rain event.

NAM
VS
GFS
VS
EURO
Why NAM Wins

The NAM typically handles the shallow cold air and dynamic cooling associated with departing shortwaves better than global models. Its logic regarding orographic lift and 850mb thermal timing is consistent with similar past events.

Affected Regions
SOUTHEAST COALFIELDSBLUEGRASS FOOTHILLSNORTHEAST KY

Wind Gust Magnitude

GEM and NAM suggest a much tighter pressure gradient behind the front, yielding gusts near 30 mph, while the Euro is significantly calmer.

GEM
VS
NAM
VS
EURO
Why GEM Wins

Post-frontal pressure rises and a 30kt low-level jet suggest the gustier solution is more physically likely as the boundary layer mixes during the afternoon.

Affected Regions
PURCHASENORTHWEST PENNYRILESOUTHWEST PENNYRILE

Technical Analysis

This section provides a deep, physics-based explanation of the weather. Our AI system analyzed multiple atmospheric layers and variables from all available models to synthesize this technical overview.

Below you'll find detailed breakdowns of the atmospheric dynamics that are driving today's forecast, including thermodynamics, kinematics, and hydrology.

Thermodynamics

Stability & Temperatures

How temperature changes with altitude. This determines whether precipitation falls as rain, snow, sleet, or freezing rain based on the vertical temperature profile.

Thermal Profile Overview

A post-frontal environment with cold air advection is ongoing. Thermal profiles in the west are dry and stable, while the east features a shallow saturated layer below 700mb with a melting layer near the surface.

Thermal Boundary

The 850mb zero-degree isotherm is currently pushing east of I-75 and will clear the state by 15Z.

Diurnal Trend

Non-diurnal trends will be seen in the east through 12Z due to evaporative cooling. Elsewhere, a standard diurnal rise will occur once the sun breaks through.

Kinematics

Wind & Energy

Wind patterns and atmospheric energy. Frontal passages, jet stream positioning, and vorticity tell us where and when lift will generate precipitation.

Frontal Passage

A cold front cleared the state between 00Z and 06Z, marked by a shift to northwesterly winds and falling dew points.

Jet Stream Support

The right-exit region of a 110kt jet streak is providing synoptic lift for the eastern half of Kentucky through 12Z.

Energy Status

A compact shortwave trough is currently providing a vorticity peak over the Kentucky/Virginia border.

Hydrology

Moisture & Precipitation

Moisture content and precipitation character. This reveals whether the atmosphere is saturated enough to produce precipitation, and what type to expect (steady vs. bursts).

Saturation Status

The column is rapidly drying in the west with PWATs falling below 0.30 inches. The east remains saturated up to 700mb.

Precipitation Character

Precipitation will be stratiform in nature, with some orographic enhancement possible in the Southeast Coalfields.

Flooding Context

No flooding risk exists as QPF totals are generally under 0.50 inches.

Winter Physics

Accumulation & Layers

Specific physical factors affecting winter weather, including the vertical melt/freeze profile and snow quality.

Layer Analysis

A narrow melting layer (33-36F) at the surface in the east will limit snow efficiency and lead to high-density, slushy accumulations.

Crystal Habit

Snowflakes will likely be rimmed and wet, as the best moisture resides just below the ideal Dendritic Growth Zone.

Road Impact

Warm pavement will result in melting on contact for most roads; impacts will be primarily limited to grassy surfaces and higher elevation ridges.

Celestial Almanac

Moon Phase

Waning Crescent

39% Illumination
Moonrise
4:19 AM
Moonset
1:33 PM
Purchase Area
Sunrise
8:11 AM
Sunset
7:59 PM
Civil Dawn
7:45 AM
Civil Dusk
8:25 PM
Northwest Pennyrile
Sunrise
8:05 AM
Sunset
7:53 PM
Civil Dawn
7:39 AM
Civil Dusk
8:19 PM
Southwest Pennyrile
Sunrise
8:06 AM
Sunset
7:55 PM
Civil Dawn
7:40 AM
Civil Dusk
8:21 PM
Barren River
Sunrise
8:02 AM
Sunset
7:51 PM
Civil Dawn
7:36 AM
Civil Dusk
8:17 PM
Louisville Metro
Sunrise
8:00 AM
Sunset
7:48 PM
Civil Dawn
7:33 AM
Civil Dusk
8:14 PM
Lincoln Trail
Sunrise
8:00 AM
Sunset
7:48 PM
Civil Dawn
7:34 AM
Civil Dusk
8:14 PM
Lake Cumberland
Sunrise
7:55 AM
Sunset
7:43 PM
Civil Dawn
7:29 AM
Civil Dusk
8:09 PM
Northern Kentucky
Sunrise
7:55 AM
Sunset
7:42 PM
Civil Dawn
7:28 AM
Civil Dusk
8:09 PM
Inner Bluegrass
Sunrise
7:55 AM
Sunset
7:43 PM
Civil Dawn
7:28 AM
Civil Dusk
8:09 PM
Bluegrass Foothills
Sunrise
7:54 AM
Sunset
7:42 PM
Civil Dawn
7:28 AM
Civil Dusk
8:08 PM
Northeast Kentucky
Sunrise
7:47 AM
Sunset
7:35 PM
Civil Dawn
7:21 AM
Civil Dusk
8:01 PM
Southeast Kentucky
Sunrise
7:49 AM
Sunset
7:38 PM
Civil Dawn
7:23 AM
Civil Dusk
8:04 PM

Dive Deeper Into the Models

This forecast is a synthesis of raw data from the NAM, GFS, ECMWF, and GEM models. These models provide detailed atmospheric analyses including 500mb vorticity, precipitation rates, and more. You can take a look at the raw model data by clicking the links below.