kywx
Kentucky AI Weather Engine

Kentucky AI Forecasting Beta

Thu, Aug 6
Sat, Aug 8
Forecast For

Friday, August 7

Updated Aug 7, 7:14 AM EDT

NWS Alerts Active This Day

Flood Advisory

Aug 6, 6:42 PM -> Aug 6, 9:45 PM
Minor Severity

Flood Advisory issued August 6 at 6:42PM EDT until August 6 at 9:45PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Flood Advisory

Aug 6, 7:06 PM -> Aug 6, 10:15 PM
Minor Severity

Flood Advisory issued August 6 at 7:06PM EDT until August 6 at 10:15PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Flood Advisory

Aug 6, 7:11 PM -> Aug 6, 10:15 PM
Minor Severity

Flood Advisory issued August 6 at 7:11PM EDT until August 6 at 10:15PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Flood Advisory

Aug 6, 7:22 PM -> Aug 6, 10:30 PM
Minor Severity

Flood Advisory issued August 6 at 7:22PM EDT until August 6 at 10:30PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Flash Flood Warning

Aug 6, 7:39 PM -> Aug 6, 10:45 PM
Severe Severity

Flash Flood Warning issued August 6 at 7:39PM EDT until August 6 at 10:45PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Flood Advisory

Aug 6, 7:51 PM -> Aug 6, 10:45 PM
Minor Severity

Flood Advisory issued August 6 at 6:51PM CDT until August 6 at 9:45PM CDT by NWS Louisville KY

Flood Advisory

Aug 6, 7:53 PM -> Aug 6, 11:00 PM
Minor Severity

Flood Advisory issued August 6 at 7:53PM EDT until August 6 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Flash Flood Warning

Aug 6, 8:10 PM -> Aug 6, 10:00 PM
Severe Severity

Flash Flood Warning issued August 6 at 8:10PM EDT until August 6 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Flood Advisory

Aug 6, 8:12 PM -> Aug 6, 11:15 PM
Minor Severity

Flood Advisory issued August 6 at 8:12PM EDT until August 6 at 11:15PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Special Weather Statement

Aug 6, 8:18 PM -> Aug 6, 8:45 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued August 6 at 7:18PM CDT by NWS Louisville KY

Special Weather Statement

Aug 6, 8:20 PM -> Aug 6, 8:45 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued August 6 at 8:20PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Flood Advisory

Aug 6, 8:37 PM -> Aug 6, 11:45 PM
Minor Severity

Flood Advisory issued August 6 at 8:37PM EDT until August 6 at 11:45PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Flash Flood Warning

Aug 6, 8:49 PM -> Aug 6, 11:45 PM
Severe Severity

Flash Flood Warning issued August 6 at 7:49PM CDT until August 6 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Louisville KY

Flood Advisory

Aug 6, 8:51 PM -> Aug 7, 12:00 AM
Minor Severity

Flood Advisory issued August 6 at 8:51PM EDT until August 7 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Flash Flood Warning

Aug 6, 8:51 PM -> Aug 7, 12:00 AM
Severe Severity

Flash Flood Warning issued August 6 at 8:51PM EDT until August 7 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Flash Flood Warning

Aug 6, 9:09 PM -> Aug 6, 10:45 PM
Severe Severity

Flash Flood Warning issued August 6 at 9:09PM EDT until August 6 at 10:45PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Flash Flood Warning

Aug 6, 9:14 PM -> Aug 7, 12:00 AM
Severe Severity

Flash Flood Warning issued August 6 at 9:14PM EDT until August 7 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Flash Flood Warning

Aug 6, 9:31 PM -> Aug 7, 12:45 AM
Severe Severity

Flash Flood Warning issued August 6 at 9:31PM EDT until August 7 at 12:45AM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Flash Flood Warning

Aug 6, 9:34 PM -> Aug 7, 12:30 AM
Severe Severity

Flash Flood Warning issued August 6 at 9:34PM EDT until August 7 at 12:30AM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Flash Flood Warning

Aug 6, 9:50 PM -> Aug 6, 11:45 PM
Severe Severity

Flash Flood Warning issued August 6 at 8:50PM CDT until August 6 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Louisville KY

Special Weather Statement

Aug 7, 4:31 PM -> Aug 7, 5:00 PM
Moderate Severity

Special Weather Statement issued August 7 at 4:31PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Flood Advisory

Aug 7, 5:14 PM -> Aug 7, 8:15 PM
Minor Severity

Flood Advisory issued August 7 at 5:14PM EDT until August 7 at 8:15PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Aug 7, 6:40 PM -> Aug 7, 7:15 PM
Severe Severity

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued August 7 at 6:40PM EDT until August 7 at 7:15PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV

Confidence
80%

Sultry Summer Heat with Scattered Light Showers

Kentucky will see a typical humid summer day with temperatures in the upper 80s and low 90s. A weak upper-level disturbance will bring scattered light rain showers, though a dry layer near the ground will likely evaporate much of the moisture before it reaches the surface, especially in western and central areas.

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

High confidence in the presence of an upper-level disturbance; moderate confidence in how much rainfall actually reaches the surface due to dry air at the ground level.

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
Sunny and Sultry
Sunny
90°/ 71°

Northwest Pennyrile

Owensboro, Henderson, Morganfield
Hot with Passing Clouds
Cloudy
89°/ 72°

Southwest Pennyrile

Hopkinsville, Madisonville, Princeton
Late Day Sprinkle Possible
Cloudy
91°/ 71°

Barren River

Bowling Green, Glasgow, Franklin
Humid and Partly Cloudy
Cloudy
89°/ 71°

Louisville Metro

Louisville, La Grange, Shepherdsville
High Clouds and Humid
Cloudy
92°/ 75°

Lincoln Trail

Elizabethtown, Bardstown, Leitchfield
Morning Clouds, Hot Afternoon
Cloudy
88°/ 71°

Lake Cumberland

NUISANCE
Somerset, Columbia, Monticello
Scattered Light Showers
Rain
88°/ 70°

Northern Kentucky

NUISANCE
Covington, Florence, Independence
Frequent Light Showers
Rain
89°/ 71°

Inner Bluegrass

NUISANCE
Lexington, Georgetown, Winchester
Cloudy with Light Rain Possible
Rain
87°/ 71°

Bluegrass Foothills

NUISANCE
Richmond, Danville, Berea
Multiple Rounds of Light Rain
Rain
86°/ 71°

Northeast Kentucky

NUISANCE
Ashland, Morehead, Grayson
The State's Wettest Spot
Rain
85°/ 71°

Southeast Kentucky

NUISANCE
Hazard, Pikeville, Harlan
Rain Arriving for the Mountains
Rain
84°/ 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

If the low-level moisture overcomes the dry layer as suggested by the ECMWF, Kentucky could see a widespread 0.25 to 0.50 inches of rain, providing relief from the heat but increasing local humidity significantly.

💨

The 'Bust' Scenario

If the mid-level cap holds and the sub-cloud dry layer persists, many areas will see nothing more than high clouds and a few isolated sprinkles, with temperatures pushing into the mid-90s.

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.

Afternoon Highs Dispute

The GFS and NAM forecast highs in the low 90s, while the wetter/cloudier ECMWF keeps the state in the mid-80s.

NAM
VS
GFS
VS
ECMWF
Why GFS Wins

The GFS logic regarding the dry sub-cloud layer suggests more solar insolation will reach the surface than the ECMWF expects.

Affected Regions
PURCHASEBARREN RIVERNORTHWEST PENNYRILE

The Saturation Struggle

The ECMWF shows a deeply saturated column capable of widespread light rain, whereas the NAM and GFS show a significant dry layer at the surface (virga risk).

NAM
VS
GFS
VS
ECMWF
Why BLEND Wins

A blend is necessary as the ECMWF likely over-forecasts moisture in a non-frontal setup, but the GFS/NAM may be too aggressive with the dry air in the eastern regions where terrain aids lift.

Affected Regions
PURCHASELOUISVILLE METROBLUEGRASS 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

The vertical stack is characterized by a deep, well-mixed boundary layer with an adiabatic lapse rate. Freezing levels are well above 14,000 feet.

Thermal Boundary

No distinct surface boundaries are present; the state remains in a uniform maritime tropical airmass.

Diurnal Trend

A standard diurnal curve with rapid heating after 0900 local time, peaking around 1600. High dew points will limit overnight cooling.

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 frontal passage. Winds will remain light and southwesterly with shifts only occurring near localized showers.

Jet Stream Support

The state is on the southern edge of a 75kt mid-level jet, providing subtle large-scale lift.

Energy Status

A series of weak vorticity maxima are pulsing through the zonal flow, primarily affecting the northern half of 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

Deeply saturated aloft (700-500mb), but dry at the surface (dewpoint depressions of 15-20F), indicating a significant virga risk.

Precipitation Character

Stratiform light rain and sprinkles. Rain rates will be very low.

Flooding Context

Zero flood risk; soil moisture is normal and rain rates are minimal.

Celestial Almanac

Moon Phase

Waning Crescent

33% Illumination
Moonrise
1:18 AM
Moonset
4:55 PM
Purchase Area
Sunrise
7:05 AM
Sunset
8:57 PM
Civil Dawn
6:37 AM
Civil Dusk
9:25 PM
Northwest Pennyrile
Sunrise
6:58 AM
Sunset
8:52 PM
Civil Dawn
6:29 AM
Civil Dusk
9:21 PM
Southwest Pennyrile
Sunrise
7:01 AM
Sunset
8:52 PM
Civil Dawn
6:33 AM
Civil Dusk
9:20 PM
Barren River
Sunrise
6:57 AM
Sunset
8:48 PM
Civil Dawn
6:29 AM
Civil Dusk
9:16 PM
Louisville Metro
Sunrise
6:51 AM
Sunset
8:48 PM
Civil Dawn
6:23 AM
Civil Dusk
9:17 PM
Lincoln Trail
Sunrise
6:53 AM
Sunset
8:47 PM
Civil Dawn
6:24 AM
Civil Dusk
9:16 PM
Lake Cumberland
Sunrise
6:49 AM
Sunset
8:41 PM
Civil Dawn
6:21 AM
Civil Dusk
9:09 PM
Northern Kentucky
Sunrise
6:45 AM
Sunset
8:45 PM
Civil Dawn
6:15 AM
Civil Dusk
9:14 PM
Inner Bluegrass
Sunrise
6:47 AM
Sunset
8:42 PM
Civil Dawn
6:18 AM
Civil Dusk
9:11 PM
Bluegrass Foothills
Sunrise
6:47 AM
Sunset
8:41 PM
Civil Dawn
6:18 AM
Civil Dusk
9:10 PM
Northeast Kentucky
Sunrise
6:38 AM
Sunset
8:36 PM
Civil Dawn
6:10 AM
Civil Dusk
9:05 PM
Southeast Kentucky
Sunrise
6:43 AM
Sunset
8:36 PM
Civil Dawn
6:15 AM
Civil Dusk
9:04 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.