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Kentucky AI Weather Engine

Kentucky AI Forecasting Beta

Wed, Jul 15
Fri, Jul 17
Forecast For

Thursday, July 16

Updated Jul 16, 7:16 AM EDT

NWS Alerts Active This Day

Air Quality Alert

Jul 15, 12:01 AM -> Jul 15, 9:15 PM
Unknown Severity

Air Quality Alert issued July 15 at 12:01AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Air Quality Alert

Jul 15, 2:13 PM -> Jul 15, 9:15 PM
Unknown Severity

Air Quality Alert issued July 15 at 2:13PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Air Quality Alert

Jul 15, 2:26 PM -> Jul 15, 9:15 PM
Unknown Severity

Air Quality Alert issued July 15 at 2:26PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Air Quality Alert

Jul 15, 2:49 PM -> Jul 15, 9:15 PM
Unknown Severity

Air Quality Alert issued July 15 at 2:49PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Air Quality Alert

Jul 15, 5:00 PM -> Jul 15, 9:15 PM
Unknown Severity

Air Quality Alert issued July 15 at 5:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Air Quality Alert

Jul 15, 9:35 PM -> Jul 16, 9:15 PM
Unknown Severity

Air Quality Alert issued July 15 at 9:35PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Air Quality Alert

Jul 16, 12:16 AM -> Jul 17, 12:00 AM
Unknown Severity

Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 12:16AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Air Quality Alert

Jul 16, 12:23 AM -> Jul 17, 12:00 AM
Unknown Severity

Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 12:23AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Special Weather Statement

Jul 16, 5:17 AM -> Jul 16, 1:00 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:17AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Air Quality Alert

Jul 16, 9:21 AM -> Jul 17, 12:15 AM
Unknown Severity

Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 9:21AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Special Weather Statement

Jul 16, 10:33 AM -> Jul 16, 3:00 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 10:33AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV

Air Quality Alert

Jul 16, 10:53 AM -> Jul 17, 12:15 AM
Unknown Severity

Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 10:53AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Special Weather Statement

Jul 16, 12:09 PM -> Jul 16, 8:00 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 12:09PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Air Quality Alert

Jul 16, 2:18 PM -> Jul 17, 12:15 AM
Unknown Severity

Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 2:18PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Special Weather Statement

Jul 16, 2:47 PM -> Jul 16, 8:00 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 2:47PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV

Air Quality Alert

Jul 16, 3:18 PM -> Jul 17, 12:15 AM
Unknown Severity

Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 3:18PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Flood Advisory

Jul 16, 5:15 PM -> Jul 16, 8:15 PM
Minor Severity

Flood Advisory issued July 16 at 4:15PM CDT until July 16 at 7:15PM CDT by NWS Louisville KY

Confidence
85%

Sultry Heat with Scattered Showers and High Humidity

A stagnant, humid airmass will be perturbed by a weak mid-level shortwave, triggering scattered light rain showers across western and central Kentucky while the north and east remain hot and mostly dry.

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

High agreement on the overall humid airmass and temperature trends, with moderate uncertainty regarding the precise western edge of measurable rainfall and the impact of cloud debris on peak heating.

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
Damp and Muggy with Light Rain
Rain
86°/ 73°

Northwest Pennyrile

NUISANCE
Owensboro, Henderson, Morganfield
Humid with Scattered Afternoon Showers
Rain
87°/ 75°

Southwest Pennyrile

NUISANCE
Hopkinsville, Madisonville, Princeton
Patchy Rain and High Humidity
Rain
86°/ 72°

Barren River

NUISANCE
Bowling Green, Glasgow, Franklin
Scattered Light Rain Throughout the Day
Rain
87°/ 74°

Louisville Metro

NUISANCE
Louisville, La Grange, Shepherdsville
Hot and Humid with a Stray Shower
Rain
92°/ 77°

Lincoln Trail

NUISANCE
Elizabethtown, Bardstown, Leitchfield
Likely Morning and Afternoon Showers
Rain
87°/ 73°

Lake Cumberland

NUISANCE
Somerset, Columbia, Monticello
Intermittent Showers and Very Muggy
Rain
88°/ 72°

Northern Kentucky

Covington, Florence, Independence
Sunny and Very Warm
Sunny
93°/ 74°

Inner Bluegrass

NUISANCE
Lexington, Georgetown, Winchester
Mainly Cloudy with a Stray Shower
Rain
89°/ 74°

Bluegrass Foothills

NUISANCE
Richmond, Danville, Berea
Hazy and Humid with Isolated Showers
Rain
88°/ 72°

Northeast Kentucky

Ashland, Morehead, Grayson
Very Hot and Mostly Sunny
Sunny
93°/ 74°

Southeast Kentucky

NUISANCE
Hazard, Pikeville, Harlan
Hot Day with Late Evening Sprinkles
Rain
90°/ 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 involves the shortwave slowing down and interacting with higher-than-modeled instability, resulting in localized downpours exceeding 0.75 inches in central Kentucky and more widespread 90+ degree heat reaching the eastern valleys.

💨

The 'Bust' Scenario

The 'Bust' scenario occurs if mid-level dry air entrainment is more aggressive, leading to widespread virga where rain evaporates before reaching the ground, leaving most of the state dry but still oppressively humid.

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.

Northeast Kentucky Heat Spike

The GFS is an outlier forecasting a high of 97F in the Northeast, whereas the NAM and Euro keep temperatures in the low 90s due to expected cloud debris.

GFS
VS
NAM
VS
EURO
Why BLEND Wins

While the GFS likely overestimates the peak heat, the subsidence in the northeast will lead to significant insolation. A blend between the Euro and GFS results in a more plausible 93-94F.

Affected Regions
NORTHEAST KYNORTHERN KY

The Western Saturation Conflict

The GFS and Euro models suggest widespread light rain across the Purchase and Pennyrile regions driven by synoptic shortwave forcing, while the NAM remains significantly drier, keeping the moisture focused further east.

NAM
VS
GFS
VS
EURO
Why EURO Wins

The Euro provides the most realistic middle ground, accounting for the synoptic lift of the shortwave while avoiding the NAM's localized dryness and the GFS's tendency to over-spread light precipitation.

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

The vertical profile shows a standard moist adiabatic lapse rate with high surface dew points (~70-74F). No significant capping inversion is present, but mid-level stability is high.

Thermal Boundary

A weak, diffuse moisture boundary is stalled across the I-65 corridor, serving as the primary focus for lift.

Diurnal Trend

Standard diurnal curve with a notable urban heat island signature in Louisville. Heat indices will reach the mid-to-upper 90s where sun breaks occur.

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 organized surface front. Evidence of a weak surface trough is present through light and variable wind shifts.

Jet Stream Support

The state is located in a region of weak synoptic lift beneath the right entrance region of a 70kt jet at 300mb.

Energy Status

A compact, low-amplitude shortwave trough is pivoting through the central Ohio Valley.

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 nearly saturated below 700mb in central KY, while the Northeast remains dry in the low-to-mid levels.

Precipitation Character

Primarily stratiform with localized areas of drizzle or light rain; lightning potential is very low due to lack of CAPE.

Flooding Context

No flooding risk. Rainfall rates will be low and soils are capable of absorbing the forecasted light totals.

Celestial Almanac

Moon Phase

Waxing Crescent

6% Illumination
Moonrise
9:13 AM
Moonset
10:35 PM
Purchase Area
Sunrise
6:48 AM
Sunset
9:14 PM
Civil Dawn
6:18 AM
Civil Dusk
9:44 PM
Northwest Pennyrile
Sunrise
6:40 AM
Sunset
9:10 PM
Civil Dawn
6:09 AM
Civil Dusk
9:41 PM
Southwest Pennyrile
Sunrise
6:44 AM
Sunset
9:09 PM
Civil Dawn
6:14 AM
Civil Dusk
9:39 PM
Barren River
Sunrise
6:39 AM
Sunset
9:06 PM
Civil Dawn
6:10 AM
Civil Dusk
9:36 PM
Louisville Metro
Sunrise
6:33 AM
Sunset
9:06 PM
Civil Dawn
6:02 AM
Civil Dusk
9:37 PM
Lincoln Trail
Sunrise
6:35 AM
Sunset
9:05 PM
Civil Dawn
6:05 AM
Civil Dusk
9:35 PM
Lake Cumberland
Sunrise
6:32 AM
Sunset
8:59 PM
Civil Dawn
6:02 AM
Civil Dusk
9:29 PM
Northern Kentucky
Sunrise
6:26 AM
Sunset
9:04 PM
Civil Dawn
5:55 AM
Civil Dusk
9:35 PM
Inner Bluegrass
Sunrise
6:29 AM
Sunset
9:01 PM
Civil Dawn
5:58 AM
Civil Dusk
9:31 PM
Bluegrass Foothills
Sunrise
6:29 AM
Sunset
8:59 PM
Civil Dawn
5:58 AM
Civil Dusk
9:29 PM
Northeast Kentucky
Sunrise
6:20 AM
Sunset
8:54 PM
Civil Dawn
5:49 AM
Civil Dusk
9:25 PM
Southeast Kentucky
Sunrise
6:26 AM
Sunset
8:53 PM
Civil Dawn
5:55 AM
Civil Dusk
9:23 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.