kywx
Kentucky AI Weather Engine

Kentucky AI Forecasting Beta

Tue, Jun 9
Thu, Jun 11
Forecast For

Wednesday, June 10

Updated Jun 10, 7:17 AM EDT

NWS Alerts Active This Day

Flood Watch

Jun 9, 9:50 AM -> Jun 10, 6:00 AM
Severe Severity

Flood Watch issued June 9 at 9:50AM EDT until June 10 at 12:00PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY

Flood Watch

Jun 9, 9:50 AM -> Jun 10, 6:00 AM
Severe Severity

Flood Watch issued June 9 at 9:50AM EDT until June 10 at 12:00PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY

Heat Advisory

Jun 9, 2:34 PM -> Jun 9, 9:00 PM
Moderate Severity

Heat Advisory issued June 9 at 1:34PM CDT until June 9 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY

Flood Watch

Jun 9, 2:36 PM -> Jun 10, 12:15 AM
Severe Severity

Flood Watch issued June 9 at 2:36PM EDT until June 10 at 12:00PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Flood Advisory

Jun 9, 3:46 PM -> Jun 9, 9:45 PM
Minor Severity

Flood Advisory issued June 9 at 2:46PM CDT until June 9 at 8:45PM CDT by NWS Louisville KY

Flood Watch

Jun 9, 4:26 PM -> Jun 10, 4:30 AM
Severe Severity

Flood Watch issued June 9 at 4:26PM EDT until June 10 at 12:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Flood Watch

Jun 9, 5:21 PM -> Jun 10, 2:00 AM
Severe Severity

Flood Watch issued June 9 at 4:21PM CDT until June 10 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY

Flood Watch

Jun 9, 11:50 PM -> Jun 10, 8:00 AM
Severe Severity

Flood Watch issued June 9 at 11:50PM EDT until June 10 at 12:00PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Flood Watch

Jun 10, 1:38 AM -> Jun 10, 12:00 PM
Severe Severity

Flood Watch issued June 10 at 1:38AM EDT until June 10 at 12:00PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY

Special Weather Statement

Jun 10, 2:00 AM -> Jun 10, 12:00 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued June 10 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Louisville KY

Special Weather Statement

Jun 10, 2:37 AM -> Jun 10, 2:00 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued June 10 at 1:37AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY

Flood Watch

Jun 10, 3:01 AM -> Jun 10, 12:00 PM
Severe Severity

Flood Watch issued June 10 at 3:01AM EDT until June 10 at 12:00PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY

Special Weather Statement

Jun 10, 6:51 AM -> Jun 10, 12:00 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued June 10 at 6:51AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Special Weather Statement

Jun 10, 8:23 AM -> Jun 10, 9:30 AM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued June 10 at 8:23AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV

Flood Advisory

Jun 10, 8:39 AM -> Jun 10, 11:45 AM
Minor Severity

Flood Advisory issued June 10 at 8:39AM EDT until June 10 at 11:45AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Flash Flood Warning

Jun 10, 9:16 AM -> Jun 10, 1:15 PM
Severe Severity

Flash Flood Warning issued June 10 at 9:16AM EDT until June 10 at 1:15PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV

Special Weather Statement

Jun 10, 11:33 AM -> Jun 10, 8:00 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued June 10 at 11:33AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Special Weather Statement

Jun 10, 12:17 PM -> Jun 10, 11:00 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued June 10 at 12:17PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY

Confidence
70%

Heavy Rain Threat North; Summer Heat Persists South

A stalled surface boundary along the Ohio River will serve as a focal point for persistent rain and potential localized flooding across Northern and Northeast Kentucky. Meanwhile, the southern half of the Commonwealth will remain under the influence of a building subtropical ridge, resulting in hot, humid, and largely dry conditions.

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

High confidence in the temperature split between the hot south and cooler north; however, confidence is tempered by the significant model disagreement regarding the magnitude of rainfall totals in the Northern Kentucky flood risk zone.

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
Hot and Sunny
Sunny
89°/ 75°

Northwest Pennyrile

Owensboro, Henderson, Morganfield
Mostly Sunny and Humid
Sunny
89°/ 74°

Southwest Pennyrile

Hopkinsville, Madisonville, Princeton
Summer Heat Dominates
Sunny
88°/ 72°

Barren River

Bowling Green, Glasgow, Franklin
Dry and Humid
Sunny
88°/ 71°

Louisville Metro

NUISANCE
Louisville, La Grange, Shepherdsville
Morning Showers Possible
Rain
88°/ 73°

Lincoln Trail

Elizabethtown, Bardstown, Leitchfield
Cloudy and Muggy
Cloudy
87°/ 72°

Lake Cumberland

Somerset, Columbia, Monticello
Breezy and Cloudy
Cloudy
86°/ 70°

Northern Kentucky

IMPACTFUL
Covington, Florence, Independence
Heavy Rain and Flood Risk
Heavy_Rain
87°/ 72°

Inner Bluegrass

NUISANCE
Lexington, Georgetown, Winchester
Passing Showers
Rain
85°/ 71°

Bluegrass Foothills

Richmond, Danville, Berea
Mostly Cloudy Skies
Cloudy
86°/ 70°

Northeast Kentucky

NUISANCE
Ashland, Morehead, Grayson
Soggy Day with Rain
Rain
84°/ 71°

Southeast Kentucky

Hazard, Pikeville, Harlan
Overcast and Damp
Cloudy
85°/ 69°

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 occurs if the moisture-rich boundary remains anchored over Northern Kentucky with repetitive convective training, resulting in rainfall totals exceeding 5 inches and widespread flash flooding.

💨

The 'Bust' Scenario

The 'Bust' scenario occurs if the shortwave energy is more progressive and drier mid-level air entrains faster, shifting the rain shield out of the state by mid-morning and leaving only minor accumulations under 0.5 inches.

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 Great QPF Divide

A massive discrepancy exists between the mesoscale NAM and global models (GFS/Euro) regarding rainfall totals. The NAM is signaling an extreme 4-5 inch bullseye due to training convection, while the GFS and Euro suggest a more modest 0.5 to 1.0 inch stratiform event.

NAM
VS
GFS
VS
EURO
Why NAM Wins

The NAM traditionally handles shallow moisture convergence and the thermodynamics of stalled boundaries with higher precision than global models. Given PWATs over 2 inches and strong jet support, the potential for high-efficiency training rain is physically plausible, though the raw 4.5 inch total is likely an outlier.

Affected Regions
NORTHERN KYNORTHEAST KY

The Purchase Dry Slot

Models disagree on how far south the light precipitation shield will extend. The Euro brings light rain into the TN border, while the GFS and NAM maintain a sharp cutoff near the Western Kentucky Parkway.

NAM
VS
GFS
VS
EURO
Why GFS Wins

The building ridge to the southwest and significant dewpoint depressions in forecast soundings suggest a high risk of virga for any light echoes attempting to move into the Purchase and Pennyrile regions.

Affected Regions
PURCHASESOUTHWEST PENNYRILEBARREN RIVER

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 saturated, nearly pseudo-adiabatic profile exists north of the I-64 corridor. South of this line, a prominent capping inversion is noted at approximately 800mb, which will limit vertical growth of any diurnal cumulus.

Thermal Boundary

The thermal and moisture boundary is currently stalled along the Ohio River, propped up by weak surface waves tracking through the zonal flow.

Diurnal Trend

A non-diurnal temperature trend is expected in the far north due to thick cloud cover and evaporative cooling; elsewhere, a standard diurnal curve will push afternoon highs into the upper 80s and low 90s.

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

No true cold front passage is expected; however, a weak surface trough will shift winds from the southwest to the west-northwest by late afternoon across the Bluegrass.

Jet Stream Support

Strong upper-level support is present via the right entrance region of a 100kt jet streak centered over the Great Lakes, providing the necessary ventilation for sustained precipitation.

Energy Status

Vorticity is maximized within a compact shortwave trough currently traversing the I-75 corridor, with secondary lobes of energy expected to maintain lift through the evening.

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

Deep-layer saturation is evident in Northern KY (surface to 500mb). In the south, the mid-levels are notably dry, which will likely evaporate light precipitation before it reaches the surface.

Precipitation Character

Expect heavy stratiform rain with embedded convective elements and training cells in the north; light, scattered showers or drizzle are more likely in the Bluegrass.

Flooding Context

There is a heightened risk for localized flash flooding in Northern Kentucky if training occurs over urbanized watersheds, despite relatively dry antecedent conditions.

Winter Physics

Accumulation & Layers

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

Layer Analysis

Not applicable; freezing levels are above 12,000 feet.

Crystal Habit

Not applicable.

Road Impact

Not applicable; road temperatures are in the 80s.

Celestial Almanac

Moon Phase

Waning Crescent

26% Illumination
Moonrise
3:00 AM
Moonset
4:37 PM
Purchase Area
Sunrise
6:35 AM
Sunset
9:14 PM
Civil Dawn
6:04 AM
Civil Dusk
9:45 PM
Northwest Pennyrile
Sunrise
6:27 AM
Sunset
9:11 PM
Civil Dawn
5:56 AM
Civil Dusk
9:42 PM
Southwest Pennyrile
Sunrise
6:31 AM
Sunset
9:09 PM
Civil Dawn
6:01 AM
Civil Dusk
9:40 PM
Barren River
Sunrise
6:27 AM
Sunset
9:06 PM
Civil Dawn
5:56 AM
Civil Dusk
9:36 PM
Louisville Metro
Sunrise
6:20 AM
Sunset
9:07 PM
Civil Dawn
5:49 AM
Civil Dusk
9:38 PM
Lincoln Trail
Sunrise
6:22 AM
Sunset
9:05 PM
Civil Dawn
5:51 AM
Civil Dusk
9:36 PM
Lake Cumberland
Sunrise
6:19 AM
Sunset
8:59 PM
Civil Dawn
5:48 AM
Civil Dusk
9:29 PM
Northern Kentucky
Sunrise
6:13 AM
Sunset
9:04 PM
Civil Dawn
5:41 AM
Civil Dusk
9:36 PM
Inner Bluegrass
Sunrise
6:16 AM
Sunset
9:01 PM
Civil Dawn
5:45 AM
Civil Dusk
9:32 PM
Bluegrass Foothills
Sunrise
6:16 AM
Sunset
8:59 PM
Civil Dawn
5:45 AM
Civil Dusk
9:30 PM
Northeast Kentucky
Sunrise
6:07 AM
Sunset
8:55 PM
Civil Dawn
5:35 AM
Civil Dusk
9:26 PM
Southeast Kentucky
Sunrise
6:13 AM
Sunset
8:53 PM
Civil Dawn
5:42 AM
Civil Dusk
9:24 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.