Kentucky – Cold air bites early, with frost lining rooftops and a pale moon still hanging over the Ohio River. Temperatures hovered in the upper 20s at daybreak, enough to stiffen hands and refreeze damp pavement from the night before. For drivers heading out early, slick patches remain possible on bridges and shaded roads.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, clear skies and calm winds allow a quick warmup today, with highs reaching the upper 50s by afternoon. That sharp rebound marks the start of a noticeable February thaw spreading across western Kentucky and the lower Ohio Valley.
The warmth accelerates Tuesday as southwesterly winds pull in much milder air. Highs climb into the mid-60s, nearly 40 degrees warmer than the early-morning cold. To be fair, that rapid change comes with increasing clouds and a 50 percent chance of showers by Tuesday night. Wet pavement could become an issue during evening travel, especially along I-24 and local connectors.
By Wednesday, conditions settle briefly. Skies turn mostly sunny again, and highs ease back into the low 50s. That pause does not last long. Light rain chances return late Thursday into Friday as another system approaches, keeping temperatures above freezing but roads periodically wet.
This pattern reflects a broader shift across the central U.S., where winter ice remains locked on the Great Lakes while warmer air surges south and east. For Paducah, it means fewer hard freezes but more variability, a classic mid-February setup.
Plan layers each day, watch for slick spots early, and allow extra stopping distance during rain. Meteorologists are tracking additional systems into early next week, with signs pointing to above-normal temperatures continuing.
Five-Day Outlook for Paducah, Kentucky
Today: Sunny, high near 59.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, low around 38.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, high near 66.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high near 52.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy, high near 50.
