Kentucky wakes to a quiet but uneasy Christmas morning as patchy fog drifts across the lower Ohio Valley, blurring riverbanks and dimming headlights on early drives. The air feels unusually mild, but the calm hides a weather pattern that turns more active as post-Christmas travel ramps up.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, patchy dense fog is possible early this morning across portions of western Kentucky, southern Illinois, and southeast Missouri. Visibility may briefly drop in low-lying areas, especially near rivers and open farmland. Drivers should slow down and expect sudden changes along U.S. 60, I-24, and local rural roads.
Fog thins later this morning, giving way to partly sunny skies and unseasonably warm air. Highs climb into the lower 70s today and remain warm through Saturday. To be fair, it feels more like early fall than late December, and travel conditions stay generally favorable through most of the weekend.
Attention turns to Sunday as moisture increases and clouds thicken. Latest models show showers developing mainly Sunday afternoon and evening. A few thunderstorms are possible, though widespread severe weather is not expected at this time. Gusty winds could briefly affect high-profile vehicles during peak return travel.
Behind the rain, colder air moves in fast. Temperatures drop sharply Sunday night, falling toward the upper 20s by early Monday. Wet pavement may refreeze before dawn, creating isolated slick spots for early commuters and holiday travelers heading home.
Monday stays sunny but cold, with highs struggling to reach the lower 30s. Winter jackets return, and the mild stretch ends abruptly. Meteorologists continue tracking late-December trends, and additional weather alerts may be issued if rain timing or cold intensity shifts. Plan ahead, drive cautiously this morning, and prepare for a colder finish to the holiday travel window.
