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Kentucky AI Weather Engine

Kentucky AI Forecasting Beta

Sat, Jul 4
Mon, Jul 6
Forecast For

Sunday, July 5

Updated Jul 5, 7:15 AM EDT

NWS Alerts Active This Day

Air Quality Alert

Jul 4, 12:28 AM -> Jul 5, 1:00 AM
Unknown Severity

Air Quality Alert issued July 4 at 12:28AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Extreme Heat Warning

Jul 4, 12:14 PM -> Jul 4, 8:15 PM
Severe Severity

Extreme Heat Warning issued July 4 at 12:14PM EDT until July 4 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Heat Advisory

Jul 4, 12:14 PM -> Jul 4, 8:15 PM
Moderate Severity

Heat Advisory issued July 4 at 12:14PM EDT until July 4 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Heat Advisory

Jul 4, 2:13 PM -> Jul 4, 9:00 PM
Moderate Severity

Heat Advisory issued July 4 at 1:13PM CDT until July 4 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY

Heat Advisory

Jul 4, 3:35 PM -> Jul 4, 9:00 PM
Moderate Severity

Heat Advisory issued July 4 at 3:35PM EDT until July 4 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY

Special Weather Statement

Jul 4, 7:47 PM -> Jul 4, 8:30 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued July 4 at 6:47PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY

Special Weather Statement

Jul 4, 8:03 PM -> Jul 4, 8:45 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued July 4 at 8:03PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Jul 4, 8:38 PM -> Jul 4, 9:00 PM
Severe Severity

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 4 at 7:38PM CDT until July 4 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY

Special Weather Statement

Jul 4, 8:40 PM -> Jul 4, 9:15 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued July 4 at 8:40PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Flood Advisory

Jul 4, 9:10 PM -> Jul 5, 12:15 AM
Minor Severity

Flood Advisory issued July 4 at 8:10PM CDT until July 4 at 11:15PM CDT by NWS Louisville KY

Special Weather Statement

Jul 4, 9:20 PM -> Jul 4, 10:00 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued July 4 at 8:20PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY

Special Weather Statement

Jul 4, 9:30 PM -> Jul 4, 10:00 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued July 4 at 9:30PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV

Special Weather Statement

Jul 4, 9:54 PM -> Jul 4, 10:15 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued July 4 at 9:54PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY

Special Weather Statement

Jul 4, 9:56 PM -> Jul 4, 10:30 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued July 4 at 9:56PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV

Special Weather Statement

Jul 4, 10:12 PM -> Jul 4, 10:45 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued July 4 at 9:12PM CDT by NWS Louisville KY

Special Weather Statement

Jul 4, 10:23 PM -> Jul 4, 10:45 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued July 4 at 9:23PM CDT by NWS Louisville KY

Flood Advisory

Jul 5, 12:28 AM -> Jul 5, 4:30 AM
Minor Severity

Flood Advisory issued July 5 at 12:28AM EDT until July 5 at 4:30AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Air Quality Alert

Jul 5, 12:32 AM -> Jul 6, 12:00 AM
Unknown Severity

Air Quality Alert issued July 5 at 12:32AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Confidence
70%

Humidity and Scattered Showers to Impact Central Kentucky

A warm, humid summer day will bring scattered showers and isolated heavy rain to Kentucky. While the heaviest precipitation will likely focus on the Louisville and North-Central corridors, much of the state will deal with persistent cloud cover and muggy conditions. The Southeast remains the driest and warmest region.

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

Confidence is high on the warm/humid temperature profile but lower on rainfall totals due to significant disagreement between high-res and global models regarding the intensity of the shortwave forcing.

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
Afternoon Showers and High Humidity
Rain
84°/ 71°

Northwest Pennyrile

IMPACTFUL
Owensboro, Henderson, Morganfield
Periods of Heavy Rain Likely
Rain
85°/ 70°

Southwest Pennyrile

NUISANCE
Hopkinsville, Madisonville, Princeton
Warm and Muggy with Morning Rain
Rain
86°/ 71°

Barren River

NUISANCE
Bowling Green, Glasgow, Franklin
Overcast and Humid Day
Rain
85°/ 71°

Louisville Metro

IMPACTFUL
Louisville, La Grange, Shepherdsville
Persistent Rain Showers This Evening
Rain
87°/ 72°

Lincoln Trail

NUISANCE
Elizabethtown, Bardstown, Leitchfield
Damp Start with Lingering Clouds
Rain
85°/ 71°

Lake Cumberland

Somerset, Columbia, Monticello
Warm and Breezy near the Lake
Rain
87°/ 71°

Northern Kentucky

Covington, Florence, Independence
Mainly Cloudy and Humid
Cloudy
88°/ 72°

Inner Bluegrass

Lexington, Georgetown, Winchester
Light Evening Sprinkles Possible
Rain
88°/ 72°

Bluegrass Foothills

NUISANCE
Richmond, Danville, Berea
Showers Arriving After Dark
Rain
87°/ 72°

Northeast Kentucky

IMPACTFUL
Ashland, Morehead, Grayson
Hot Day with Late Evening Rain
Rain
90°/ 70°

Southeast Kentucky

Hazard, Pikeville, Harlan
Mostly Sunny and Hot
Sunny
88°/ 68°

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 NAM's high-resolution vorticity max verifies, leading to localized training of showers and totals exceeding 1.25 inches in the Louisville Metro and Northwest Pennyrile, with rain extending into the Southeast.

💨

The 'Bust' Scenario

The 'Bust' Scenario occurs if mid-level dry air, as suggested by GFS, limits vertical development, resulting in widespread virga and only trace amounts of rain for most, with the Southeast staying entirely sunny and dry.

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 Kentucky Smear

Global models (GFS/Euro) show widespread light rain in the Southeast, whereas the NAM keeps the region entirely dry under subsidence.

NAM
VS
GFS
VS
EURO
Why NAM Wins

GFS is known for 'phantom precip' smearing in summer; the NAM's reasoning regarding deep subsidence in the SE quadrant is more physically consistent with the shortwave track.

Affected Regions
SOUTHEAST COALFIELDS

The Louisville Deluge Debate

The NAM predicts a significant axis of heavy rain (over 1 inch) due to a localized vorticity max, while the GFS and Euro predict less than 0.15 inches.

NAM
VS
GFS
VS
EURO
Why BLEND Wins

While the NAM resolves the mesoscale training potential better, the lack of CAPE makes its 1.12-inch total an outlier; a weighted blend captures the high probability of rain without over-forecasting the total.

Affected Regions
LOUISVILLE METRONORTHWEST 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

The vertical stack follows a standard moist-adiabatic lapse rate. No significant capping inversions are present, but rain-cooled stabilization is expected in the afternoon for Central KY.

Thermal Boundary

The primary moisture axis is positioned along the Ohio River valley, drifting slowly south-southeast through the afternoon.

Diurnal Trend

The diurnal curve will be muted by cloud cover. Highs will occur early afternoon before precip-induced cooling begins.

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 distinct surface front is present; the event is driven by an upper-level impulse. Evidence: Winds remain light and variable with no sharp directional shift.

Jet Stream Support

Modest support is provided by the right-entrance region of a 250mb jet streak, primarily aiding lift in the northern half of the state.

Energy Status

A well-defined but compact shortwave trough is pivoting through, with peak vorticity focused over North-Central Kentucky.

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 largely saturated between 850mb and 500mb in the west and central regions; SE KY remains dry below 700mb.

Precipitation Character

Predominantly stratiform rain with light to moderate rates. High-intensity bursts are possible in Louisville due to moisture convergence.

Flooding Context

Ground is not saturated and totals are generally low, so flooding risk is minimal despite localized training potential.

Winter Physics

Accumulation & Layers

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

Layer Analysis

Not applicable; freezing level is above 14,000 feet.

Crystal Habit

Not applicable.

Road Impact

Not applicable; wet roads are the only concern.

Celestial Almanac

Moon Phase

Waning Gibbous

73% Illumination
Moonrise
12:10 AM
Moonset
12:07 PM
Purchase Area
Sunrise
6:41 AM
Sunset
9:18 PM
Civil Dawn
6:10 AM
Civil Dusk
9:49 PM
Northwest Pennyrile
Sunrise
6:33 AM
Sunset
9:14 PM
Civil Dawn
6:02 AM
Civil Dusk
9:45 PM
Southwest Pennyrile
Sunrise
6:37 AM
Sunset
9:13 PM
Civil Dawn
6:06 AM
Civil Dusk
9:44 PM
Barren River
Sunrise
6:33 AM
Sunset
9:10 PM
Civil Dawn
6:02 AM
Civil Dusk
9:40 PM
Louisville Metro
Sunrise
6:26 AM
Sunset
9:10 PM
Civil Dawn
5:55 AM
Civil Dusk
9:42 PM
Lincoln Trail
Sunrise
6:28 AM
Sunset
9:09 PM
Civil Dawn
5:57 AM
Civil Dusk
9:40 PM
Lake Cumberland
Sunrise
6:25 AM
Sunset
9:02 PM
Civil Dawn
5:54 AM
Civil Dusk
9:33 PM
Northern Kentucky
Sunrise
6:18 AM
Sunset
9:08 PM
Civil Dawn
5:47 AM
Civil Dusk
9:40 PM
Inner Bluegrass
Sunrise
6:22 AM
Sunset
9:05 PM
Civil Dawn
5:50 AM
Civil Dusk
9:36 PM
Bluegrass Foothills
Sunrise
6:22 AM
Sunset
9:03 PM
Civil Dawn
5:51 AM
Civil Dusk
9:34 PM
Northeast Kentucky
Sunrise
6:13 AM
Sunset
8:59 PM
Civil Dawn
5:41 AM
Civil Dusk
9:30 PM
Southeast Kentucky
Sunrise
6:19 AM
Sunset
8:57 PM
Civil Dawn
5:48 AM
Civil Dusk
9:28 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.