kywx
Kentucky AI Weather Engine

Kentucky AI Forecasting Beta

Tue, Mar 24
Thu, Mar 26
Forecast For

Wednesday, March 25

Updated Mar 25, 7:03 AM EDT
Confidence
85%

How Did We Do?

Comparing our AI forecast to actual observations from Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

Temperature
±4.5°F
Average Error
Precipitation
±0.00"
Average Error
Wind Speed
±5.8mph
Average error

Regional Assessments

Purchase Area

Paducah, Murray, Mayfield
Temperature
Forecast
75° / 48°
Actual
80° / 43°
Error: -5°F high, 5°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0"
Actual
0"
✓ Within forecast range
Wind Speed
Forecast
12 / 28 mph
Actual
6 / 24 mph
Mesonet Stations HCKM, BAND

Northwest Pennyrile

Owensboro, Henderson, Morganfield
Temperature
Forecast
72° / 44°
Actual
77° / 41°
Error: -5°F high, 3°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0"
Actual
0"
✓ Within forecast range
Wind Speed
Forecast
14 / 29 mph
Actual
7 / 26 mph
Mesonet Stations FRNY, RPTN, GRHM, DIXO

Southwest Pennyrile

Hopkinsville, Madisonville, Princeton
Temperature
Forecast
74° / 45°
Actual
77° / 42°
Error: -3°F high, 3°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0"
Actual
0"
✓ Within forecast range
Wind Speed
Forecast
13 / 27 mph
Actual
8 / 25 mph
Mesonet Stations PRNC, PGHL, ERLN, CADZ, CCTY

Barren River

Bowling Green, Glasgow, Franklin
Temperature
Forecast
71° / 42°
Actual
76° / 40°
Error: -5°F high, 2°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0"
Actual
0"
✓ Within forecast range
Wind Speed
Forecast
15 / 34 mph
Actual
6 / 23 mph
Mesonet Stations FARM, WDBY, EWPK

Louisville Metro

Louisville, La Grange, Shepherdsville
Temperature
Forecast
70° / 43°
Actual
72° / 44°
Error: -2°F high, -1°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0"
Actual
0"
✓ Within forecast range
Wind Speed
Forecast
13 / 30 mph
Actual
8 / 26 mph
Mesonet Stations LGRN

Lincoln Trail

Elizabethtown, Bardstown, Leitchfield
Temperature
Forecast
68° / 43°
Actual
74° / 34°
Error: -6°F high, 9°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0"
Actual
0"
✓ Within forecast range
Wind Speed
Forecast
14 / 34 mph
Actual
6 / 24 mph
Mesonet Stations CRMT, BLRK, CCLA, BRND, HARD

Lake Cumberland

Somerset, Columbia, Monticello
Temperature
Forecast
70° / 45°
Actual
74° / 36°
Error: -4°F high, 9°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0"
Actual
0"
✓ Within forecast range
Wind Speed
Forecast
10 / 21 mph
Actual
5 / 23 mph
Mesonet Stations PCWN, CMBA, GRDR, WOOD, GRBG

Northern Kentucky

Covington, Florence, Independence
Temperature
Forecast
68° / 40°
Actual
71° / 41°
Error: -3°F high, -1°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0"
Actual
0"
✓ Within forecast range
Wind Speed
Forecast
11 / 30 mph
Actual
5 / 26 mph
Mesonet Stations HHTS, HUEY

Inner Bluegrass

Lexington, Georgetown, Winchester
Temperature
Forecast
68° / 41°
Actual
71° / 39°
Error: -3°F high, 2°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0"
Actual
0"
✓ Within forecast range
Wind Speed
Forecast
14 / 30 mph
Actual
9 / 26 mph
Mesonet Stations LXGN, SPIN

Bluegrass Foothills

Richmond, Danville, Berea
Temperature
Forecast
69° / 40°
Actual
73° / 36°
Error: -4°F high, 4°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0"
Actual
0"
✓ Within forecast range
Wind Speed
Forecast
11 / 28 mph
Actual
6 / 22 mph
Mesonet Stations LGNT

Northeast Kentucky

Ashland, Morehead, Grayson
Temperature
Forecast
68° / 40°
Actual
74° / 33°
Error: -6°F high, 7°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0"
Actual
0"
✓ Within forecast range
Wind Speed
Forecast
8 / 24 mph
Actual
4 / 25 mph
Mesonet Stations MRHD, CHTR

Southeast Kentucky

Hazard, Pikeville, Harlan
Temperature
Forecast
68° / 43°
Actual
76° / 33°
Error: -8°F high, 10°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0"
Actual
0"
✓ Within forecast range
Wind Speed
Forecast
8 / 24 mph
Actual
3 / 24 mph
Mesonet Stations BMBL, QKSD, BNVL, VEST, RFVC, RFSM, PBDY

Spring Surge: Unseasonably Warm and Breezy Conditions

A powerful ridge of high pressure shifting off the Atlantic coast will trigger significant warm air advection across Kentucky. Expect unseasonably warm temperatures in the upper 60s and 70s statewide under mostly sunny skies, accompanied by breezy southwesterly winds.

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

High agreement on the lack of precipitation and the overall thermal ridge placement. Minor uncertainty remains regarding the exact magnitude of wind gusts and the persistence of morning cloud cover.

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
Sun-Drenched and Unseasonably Warm
Sunny
75°/ 48°

Northwest Pennyrile

Owensboro, Henderson, Morganfield
Breezy and Bright Afternoon
Sunny
72°/ 44°

Southwest Pennyrile

Hopkinsville, Madisonville, Princeton
Mild and Sunny Southern Gateway
Sunny
74°/ 45°

Barren River

Bowling Green, Glasgow, Franklin
Windy and Warm Conditions
Sunny
71°/ 42°

Louisville Metro

Louisville, La Grange, Shepherdsville
Pleasant and Breezy City Skies
Sunny
70°/ 43°

Lincoln Trail

Elizabethtown, Bardstown, Leitchfield
Gusty Winds on the Escarpment
Sunny
68°/ 43°

Lake Cumberland

Somerset, Columbia, Monticello
A Perfect Day at the Lake
Sunny
70°/ 45°

Northern Kentucky

Covington, Florence, Independence
Sunny Skies with Evening Breezes
Sunny
68°/ 40°

Inner Bluegrass

Lexington, Georgetown, Winchester
Breezy Sunshine in Lexington
Sunny
68°/ 41°

Bluegrass Foothills

Richmond, Danville, Berea
Warm Afternoon Following Chilly Start
Sunny
69°/ 40°

Northeast Kentucky

Ashland, Morehead, Grayson
Bright and Pleasant River Valleys
Sunny
68°/ 40°

Southeast Kentucky

Hazard, Pikeville, Harlan
Sunny Peaks and Mild Valleys
Sunny
68°/ 43°

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 the dry column persists and mixing depths reach 750mb, afternoon highs could over-perform by 3-5 degrees, potentially tagging 80 degrees in the Purchase region with wind gusts exceeding 40 mph.

💨

The 'Bust' Scenario

If the ECMWF's projection of stubborn low-level moisture verifies, a persistent stratus deck could keep temperatures capped in the mid-60s for Central and Eastern Kentucky, significantly muting the warming trend.

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 Cloud Cover Contradiction

The ECMWF forecasts a persistent low-level stratus deck (80-90% coverage) across the state, while the GFS, NAM, and GEM suggest a bone-dry column with nearly full insolation.

EURO
VS
GFS
VS
NAM
Why BLEND Wins

Satellite trends and PWAT values below 0.5 inches favor the sunnier solutions of the GFS/NAM, but some high-level cirrus and morning moisture are likely, leading to a 'Mostly Sunny' compromise.

Affected Regions
LOUISVILLE METROBLUEGRASS CORENORTHERN KYNORTHEAST KY

The Wind Gust Discrepancy

The NAM and GFS indicate a vigorous 35+ mph gust potential due to a tight pressure gradient, whereas the ECMWF suggests much lighter, non-impactful winds.

NAM
VS
GFS
VS
EURO
Why NAM Wins

The NAM handles boundary layer mixing and momentum transfer from the low-level jet much more accurately in high-pressure exit scenarios.

Affected Regions
BARREN RIVERLINCOLN TRAILNORTHWEST PENNYRILEBLUEGRASS CORE

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 standard dry adiabatic lapse rate is expected through the boundary layer after 15Z. A shallow radiation inversion will exist early, but will be quickly overcome by solar insolation.

Thermal Boundary

The freezing line is well north of the Great Lakes; the entire Ohio Valley remains deep within the warm sector.

Diurnal Trend

Strongly diurnal curve. Rapid temperature rises are expected between 9 AM and 1 PM as the nocturnal inversion breaks.

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

None. The region is seeing a shift from southeasterly to southwesterly return flow as the high-pressure center moves east.

Jet Stream Support

Kentucky sits in the right-entrance region of a departing jet streak, which provides synoptic-scale sinking air, suppressing cloud development.

Energy Status

Neutral vorticity field; no significant shortwaves are present to provide lift.

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

Extremely dry. PWATs are forecast to be near 0.40 inches, which is below the 25th percentile for late March.

Precipitation Character

None. The column is too dry to support even virga.

Flooding Context

Zero hydrologic risk; grounds are stable with no precipitation forecast.

Winter Physics

Accumulation & Layers

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

Layer Analysis

Not applicable; thermal profiles are entirely above 0C through the lowest 10,000 feet.

Crystal Habit

Not applicable.

Road Impact

Not applicable.

Severe Risk

Instability & Shear

Atmospheric ingredients required for severe thunderstorms, including available fuel (CAPE) and storm organization (shear).

Shear Analysis

35-45 knots of bulk shear exists, but is irrelevant due to lack of instability.

Instability Context

Zero CAPE. A mid-level capping inversion will prevent any convective initiation.

Primary Threat

None.

Celestial Almanac

Moon Phase

First Quarter

46% Illumination
Moonrise
12:19 PM
Moonset
3:10 AM
Purchase Area
Sunrise
7:51 AM
Sunset
8:11 PM
Civil Dawn
7:25 AM
Civil Dusk
8:37 PM
Northwest Pennyrile
Sunrise
7:45 AM
Sunset
8:05 PM
Civil Dawn
7:19 AM
Civil Dusk
8:31 PM
Southwest Pennyrile
Sunrise
7:47 AM
Sunset
8:06 PM
Civil Dawn
7:21 AM
Civil Dusk
8:32 PM
Barren River
Sunrise
7:43 AM
Sunset
8:02 PM
Civil Dawn
7:17 AM
Civil Dusk
8:28 PM
Louisville Metro
Sunrise
7:40 AM
Sunset
8:00 PM
Civil Dawn
7:13 AM
Civil Dusk
8:26 PM
Lincoln Trail
Sunrise
7:40 AM
Sunset
8:00 PM
Civil Dawn
7:14 AM
Civil Dusk
8:26 PM
Lake Cumberland
Sunrise
7:35 AM
Sunset
7:55 PM
Civil Dawn
7:09 AM
Civil Dusk
8:21 PM
Northern Kentucky
Sunrise
7:34 AM
Sunset
7:55 PM
Civil Dawn
7:08 AM
Civil Dusk
8:22 PM
Inner Bluegrass
Sunrise
7:35 AM
Sunset
7:55 PM
Civil Dawn
7:08 AM
Civil Dusk
8:21 PM
Bluegrass Foothills
Sunrise
7:34 AM
Sunset
7:54 PM
Civil Dawn
7:08 AM
Civil Dusk
8:20 PM
Northeast Kentucky
Sunrise
7:27 AM
Sunset
7:47 PM
Civil Dawn
7:01 AM
Civil Dusk
8:14 PM
Southeast Kentucky
Sunrise
7:30 AM
Sunset
7:49 PM
Civil Dawn
7:04 AM
Civil Dusk
8:15 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.