kywx
Kentucky AI Weather Engine

Kentucky AI Forecasting Beta

Thu, Mar 26
Sat, Mar 28
Forecast For

Friday, March 27

Updated Mar 26, 6:52 PM EDT

NWS Alerts Active This Day

Freeze Watch

Mar 26, 1:51 PM -> Mar 27, 5:00 AM
Severe Severity

Freeze Watch issued March 26 at 1:51PM EDT until March 28 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Louisville KY

Freeze Watch

Mar 26, 2:03 PM -> Mar 26, 10:15 PM
Severe Severity

Freeze Watch issued March 26 at 2:03PM EDT until March 28 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Freeze Watch

Mar 26, 9:51 PM -> Mar 27, 6:00 AM
Severe Severity

Freeze Watch issued March 26 at 9:51PM EDT until March 28 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Freeze Warning

Mar 27, 2:41 AM -> Mar 27, 4:00 PM
Moderate Severity

Freeze Warning issued March 27 at 1:41AM CDT until March 28 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY

Freeze Warning

Mar 27, 3:05 AM -> Mar 27, 12:15 PM
Moderate Severity

Freeze Warning issued March 27 at 3:05AM EDT until March 28 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Freeze Warning

Mar 27, 3:05 AM -> Mar 27, 12:15 PM
Moderate Severity

Freeze Warning issued March 27 at 3:05AM EDT until March 28 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Freeze Warning

Mar 27, 3:07 AM -> Mar 27, 5:00 PM
Moderate Severity

Freeze Warning issued March 27 at 3:07AM EDT until March 28 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Louisville KY

Freeze Warning

Mar 27, 3:07 AM -> Mar 27, 5:00 PM
Moderate Severity

Freeze Warning issued March 27 at 3:07AM EDT until March 28 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Louisville KY

Freeze Warning

Mar 27, 9:10 AM -> Mar 27, 5:15 PM
Moderate Severity

Freeze Warning issued March 27 at 9:10AM EDT until March 28 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV

Freeze Warning

Mar 27, 11:44 AM -> Mar 28, 12:00 AM
Moderate Severity

Freeze Warning issued March 27 at 11:44AM EDT until March 28 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Freeze Warning

Mar 27, 12:49 PM -> Mar 28, 1:15 AM
Moderate Severity

Freeze Warning issued March 27 at 11:49AM CDT until March 28 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY

Freeze Watch

Mar 27, 1:57 PM -> Mar 27, 10:00 PM
Severe Severity

Freeze Watch issued March 27 at 1:57PM EDT until March 29 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV

Freeze Warning

Mar 27, 1:57 PM -> Mar 27, 10:00 PM
Moderate Severity

Freeze Warning issued March 27 at 1:57PM EDT until March 28 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV

Freeze Warning

Mar 27, 2:37 PM -> Mar 28, 10:00 AM
Moderate Severity

Freeze Warning issued March 27 at 2:37PM EDT until March 28 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Louisville KY

Freeze Warning

Mar 27, 4:04 PM -> Mar 28, 6:15 AM
Moderate Severity

Freeze Warning issued March 27 at 4:04PM EDT until March 28 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Freeze Warning

Mar 27, 4:04 PM -> Mar 28, 6:15 AM
Moderate Severity

Freeze Warning issued March 27 at 4:04PM EDT until March 28 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Freeze Watch

Mar 27, 4:04 PM -> Mar 28, 6:15 AM
Severe Severity

Freeze Watch issued March 27 at 4:04PM EDT until March 29 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Confidence
95%

How Did We Do?

Comparing our AI forecast to actual observations from Friday, March 27, 2026.

Temperature
±11.1°F
Average Error
Precipitation
±5.20"
Average Error
Wind Speed
±4.9mph
Average error

Regional Assessments

Purchase Area

Paducah, Murray, Mayfield
Temperature
Forecast
68° / 44°
Actual
80° / 45°
Error: -12°F high, -1°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0.1"
Actual
0"
✓ Within forecast range
Wind Speed
Forecast
16 / 40 mph
Actual
13 / 32 mph
Mesonet Stations HCKM, BAND

Northwest Pennyrile

Owensboro, Henderson, Morganfield
Temperature
Forecast
71° / 42°
Actual
80° / 43°
Error: -9°F high, -1°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0.15"
Actual
1.55"
±1.4000000000000001" off
Wind Speed
Forecast
15 / 38 mph
Actual
12 / 32 mph
Mesonet Stations FRNY, RPTN, GRHM, DIXO

Southwest Pennyrile

Hopkinsville, Madisonville, Princeton
Temperature
Forecast
68° / 44°
Actual
81° / 44°
Error: -13°F high, 0°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0.1"
Actual
0"
✓ Within forecast range
Wind Speed
Forecast
14 / 35 mph
Actual
12 / 31 mph
Mesonet Stations PRNC, PGHL, ERLN, CADZ, CCTY

Barren River

Bowling Green, Glasgow, Franklin
Temperature
Forecast
67° / 46°
Actual
80° / 46°
Error: -13°F high, 0°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0.1"
Actual
0"
✓ Within forecast range
Wind Speed
Forecast
15 / 35 mph
Actual
10 / 28 mph
Mesonet Stations FARM, WDBY, EWPK

Louisville Metro

Louisville, La Grange, Shepherdsville
Temperature
Forecast
69° / 41°
Actual
79° / 43°
Error: -10°F high, -2°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0.4"
Actual
17.7"
±17.3" off
Wind Speed
Forecast
15 / 40 mph
Actual
12 / 37 mph
Mesonet Stations LGRN

Lincoln Trail

Elizabethtown, Bardstown, Leitchfield
Temperature
Forecast
68° / 41°
Actual
81° / 45°
Error: -13°F high, -4°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0.2"
Actual
0.86"
±0.6599999999999999" off
Wind Speed
Forecast
16 / 40 mph
Actual
9 / 29 mph
Mesonet Stations CRMT, BLRK, CCLA, BRND, HARD

Lake Cumberland

Somerset, Columbia, Monticello
Temperature
Forecast
68° / 43°
Actual
78° / 47°
Error: -10°F high, -4°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0.15"
Actual
0"
✓ Within forecast range
Wind Speed
Forecast
15 / 35 mph
Actual
8 / 28 mph
Mesonet Stations PCWN, CMBA, GRDR, WOOD, GRBG

Northern Kentucky

Covington, Florence, Independence
Temperature
Forecast
65° / 37°
Actual
78° / 39°
Error: -13°F high, -2°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0.5"
Actual
19.36"
±18.86" off
Wind Speed
Forecast
14 / 35 mph
Actual
8 / 26 mph
Mesonet Stations HHTS, HUEY

Inner Bluegrass

Lexington, Georgetown, Winchester
Temperature
Forecast
68° / 39°
Actual
75° / 41°
Error: -7°F high, -2°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0.3"
Actual
5.27"
±4.97" off
Wind Speed
Forecast
17 / 42 mph
Actual
12 / 37 mph
Mesonet Stations LXGN, SPIN

Bluegrass Foothills

Richmond, Danville, Berea
Temperature
Forecast
67° / 39°
Actual
76° / 44°
Error: -9°F high, -5°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0.3"
Actual
0"
±0.3" off
Wind Speed
Forecast
15 / 40 mph
Actual
8 / 26 mph
Mesonet Stations LGNT

Northeast Kentucky

Ashland, Morehead, Grayson
Temperature
Forecast
68° / 38°
Actual
78° / 41°
Error: -10°F high, -3°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0.75"
Actual
16.16"
±15.41" off
Wind Speed
Forecast
12 / 38 mph
Actual
8 / 31 mph
Mesonet Stations MRHD, CHTR

Southeast Kentucky

Hazard, Pikeville, Harlan
Temperature
Forecast
66° / 41°
Actual
80° / 43°
Error: -14°F high, -2°F low
Precipitation
Forecast
0.25"
Actual
3.35"
±3.1" off
Wind Speed
Forecast
12 / 35 mph
Actual
5 / 26 mph
Mesonet Stations BMBL, QKSD, BNVL, VEST, RFVC, RFSM, PBDY

Sharp Cold Front: Morning Warmth to Afternoon Rain & Chill

A powerful cold front will sweep across Kentucky on Friday, ending the unseasonably warm spell with a period of steady rain and a dramatic temperature drop. Temperatures will peak in the morning or early afternoon before falling 20-30 degrees by sunset.

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

Extremely high agreement among all major models regarding the frontal timing, the non-diurnal temperature trend, and the precipitation type remaining entirely liquid.

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

NUISANCE
Paducah, Murray, Mayfield
Morning Rain and Falling Temps
Rain
68°/ 44°

Northwest Pennyrile

NUISANCE
Owensboro, Henderson, Morganfield
Windy and Damp Morning
Rain
71°/ 42°

Southwest Pennyrile

NUISANCE
Hopkinsville, Madisonville, Princeton
Afternoon Rain with Brisk Winds
Rain
68°/ 44°

Barren River

NUISANCE
Bowling Green, Glasgow, Franklin
Rain Band Arrives Midday
Rain
67°/ 46°

Louisville Metro

IMPACTFUL
Louisville, La Grange, Shepherdsville
Soggy Morning and Rapid Cooling
Rain
69°/ 41°

Lincoln Trail

NUISANCE
Elizabethtown, Bardstown, Leitchfield
Rain Followed by Sharp Cooling
Rain
68°/ 41°

Lake Cumberland

NUISANCE
Somerset, Columbia, Monticello
Gusty and Damp around the Lake
Rain
68°/ 43°

Northern Kentucky

IMPACTFUL
Covington, Florence, Independence
Heavy Morning Rain and Windy
Rain
65°/ 37°

Inner Bluegrass

NUISANCE
Lexington, Georgetown, Winchester
Windy and Rainy Afternoon
Rain
68°/ 39°

Bluegrass Foothills

NUISANCE
Richmond, Danville, Berea
Afternoon Rain and Rapid Cooling
Rain
67°/ 39°

Northeast Kentucky

IMPACTFUL
Ashland, Morehead, Grayson
Heavy Rain Expected in Ashland
Rain
68°/ 38°

Southeast Kentucky

NUISANCE
Hazard, Pikeville, Harlan
Rain Arrives Late in the Day
Rain
66°/ 41°

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

The 'Boom' scenario involves a slower frontal progression that allows moisture to pool more effectively along the I-64 corridor, potentially pushing rainfall totals over 1.25 inches in Northeast KY and delaying the temperature crash until the evening commute.

💨

The 'Bust' Scenario

The 'Bust' scenario sees a faster arrival of the mid-level dry slot, which would truncate precipitation shortly after the frontal passage, leaving most of Western and Central Kentucky with less than 0.10 inches of rain.

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.

Thermal Timing Divergence

Models disagree on the exact hour of the surface temperature crash, with the NAM/GEM being 2-3 hours faster than the GFS.

NAM
VS
GEM
VS
GFS
Why NAM Wins

The NAM typically handles the shallow, post-frontal cold air mass (CAA) and surface boundary precision better than global models within the 24-hour window.

Affected Regions
PURCHASELOUISVILLE METROBLUEGRASS CORE

The QPF Bullseye Conflict

The GFS and NAM are aggressive with a heavy rain axis (0.6" to 0.9") across the Northern and Northeast regions, while the GEM and Euro are notably drier, suggesting a faster moisture exit.

GFS
VS
NAM
VS
GEM
Why GFS Wins

The GFS and NAM better resolve the moisture convergence in the right-entrance region of the upper-level jet, which typically enhances QPF in anafrontal setups over Kentucky.

Affected Regions
NORTHERN KYNORTHEAST KYLOUISVILLE METRO

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 sharp temperature gradient is evident with pre-frontal 850mb temperatures near +12C crashing to -2C post-passage. The vertical profile remains nearly adiabatic ahead of the front, transitioning to a stable, cold-core dome with moisture trapped below 600mb.

Thermal Boundary

The front enters the Purchase by 09z, the I-65 corridor by 15z, and exits the Southeast Coalfields by 22z.

Diurnal Trend

A classic non-diurnal curve will be observed; high temperatures for the day will likely occur before noon for the western half of the state.

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

The front is marked by a sharp 180-degree wind shift from SW to NW and surface pressure jumps of 3-5mb within two hours of passage.

Jet Stream Support

Excellent synoptic lift is provided by the right-entrance region of a 120kt polar jet streak situated over the Great Lakes.

Energy Status

A compact but potent shortwave trough is providing the necessary mid-level vorticity to maintain the post-frontal rain shield.

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 fully saturated from the surface to roughly 15,000 feet. There is a minimal risk of virga at the onset in Southern KY due to a thin dry layer at 800mb.

Precipitation Character

Precipitation will be primarily stratiform with steady rates, though some embedded heavier showers are possible near the I-64 corridor.

Flooding Context

Hydrologic threats are negligible as the system is progressive and total rainfall will remain under 1 inch in most locations.

Celestial Almanac

Moon Phase

Waxing Gibbous

69% Illumination
Moonrise
2:44 PM
Moonset
4:58 AM
Purchase Area
Sunrise
7:48 AM
Sunset
8:13 PM
Civil Dawn
7:22 AM
Civil Dusk
8:39 PM
Northwest Pennyrile
Sunrise
7:42 AM
Sunset
8:07 PM
Civil Dawn
7:16 AM
Civil Dusk
8:33 PM
Southwest Pennyrile
Sunrise
7:44 AM
Sunset
8:08 PM
Civil Dawn
7:18 AM
Civil Dusk
8:34 PM
Barren River
Sunrise
7:40 AM
Sunset
8:04 PM
Civil Dawn
7:14 AM
Civil Dusk
8:30 PM
Louisville Metro
Sunrise
7:37 AM
Sunset
8:02 PM
Civil Dawn
7:10 AM
Civil Dusk
8:28 PM
Lincoln Trail
Sunrise
7:37 AM
Sunset
8:02 PM
Civil Dawn
7:11 AM
Civil Dusk
8:28 PM
Lake Cumberland
Sunrise
7:32 AM
Sunset
7:57 PM
Civil Dawn
7:06 AM
Civil Dusk
8:23 PM
Northern Kentucky
Sunrise
7:31 AM
Sunset
7:57 PM
Civil Dawn
7:04 AM
Civil Dusk
8:24 PM
Inner Bluegrass
Sunrise
7:32 AM
Sunset
7:57 PM
Civil Dawn
7:05 AM
Civil Dusk
8:23 PM
Bluegrass Foothills
Sunrise
7:31 AM
Sunset
7:56 PM
Civil Dawn
7:05 AM
Civil Dusk
8:22 PM
Northeast Kentucky
Sunrise
7:24 AM
Sunset
7:49 PM
Civil Dawn
6:57 AM
Civil Dusk
8:16 PM
Southeast Kentucky
Sunrise
7:27 AM
Sunset
7:51 PM
Civil Dawn
7:01 AM
Civil Dusk
8:17 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.