Louisville, Ky. – Most of Kentucky will enjoy a quieter weather pattern Monday, but residents across eastern portions of the state should remain alert for isolated afternoon thunderstorms capable of producing locally heavy rainfall before hotter weather returns later this week.
According to the National Weather Service in Louisville, a nearby area of low pressure will continue drifting south as drier air spreads into the Ohio Valley. Areas north of and along the Ohio River, including Louisville and Owensboro, are expected to remain mostly sunny and dry, while communities farther east could see scattered thunderstorms develop between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.
High temperatures will range from 81 to 87 degrees, with the warmest conditions expected across western Kentucky. Storm chances of 20% to 40% are focused across eastern and southeastern Kentucky, including Lexington, Richmond, Campbellsville, Somerset and surrounding communities.
While most locations will receive less than one-quarter inch of rainfall, isolated thunderstorms could produce 1 to 2 inches of rain in a short period, leading to brief ponding on roads and localized flooding in poor drainage areas. Frequent lightning and gusty winds are also possible with the strongest cells.
Residents with outdoor plans in eastern Kentucky should monitor radar through the afternoon and be prepared to move indoors if thunderstorms develop. Travelers should slow down in heavy rain and never drive through water-covered roadways.
The unsettled weather is expected to move south by Monday night, allowing a drier pattern to settle across Kentucky through midweek. Temperatures will then begin climbing, with highs returning to the lower 90s by Tuesday and continuing through the latter half of the week.
