Paducah, Ky. – A still, clear dawn settled over the Ohio Valley early Thursday, the kind that whispers of crisp air and patchy frost on open ground. The chill marks one last brush with near-freezing temperatures before a weekend shift toward warmer, wetter weather across western Kentucky, southern Illinois, and parts of southeast Missouri.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, frost is expected late Thursday night into Friday morning, particularly across low-lying valleys and rural fields. Temperatures will dip near 35°F under calm skies — just cold enough to nip unprotected plants and signal fall’s steady march toward winter’s doorstep. Gardeners and farmers should cover sensitive vegetation or bring potted plants indoors before sunset.
Thursday itself will stay pleasant and bright, with highs near 68°F and a gentle north breeze. By Friday, clouds will begin to filter in from the west, a sign of change ahead. Lows will hover near 40°F early Friday before climbing toward a milder, moisture-filled setup for the weekend.
Saturday brings a partly cloudy sky with highs around 70°F — ideal for late yardwork or Halloween prep. However, by late Saturday night and Sunday, a developing system will push rain into the region. Light to moderate showers are likely Sunday into Monday, with a few isolated thunderstorms possible south of I-24.
Beyond the weekend, another cold push may follow by midweek, dropping highs back into the upper 50s. Across the Midwest, residents are on alert for the first whispers of snow in northern states, but here in Kentucky, the seasonal handoff is more subtle — frost now, rain next, and the quiet approach of true November chill.
Five-Day Forecast for Paducah, KY:
Thu: 68/37 – Sunny; calm and mild, frost returns late.
Fri: 66/40 – Increasing clouds; cool start, milder afternoon.
Sat: 70/52 – Partly cloudy; pleasant and breezy.
Sun: 65/51 – Showers likely; cooler, unsettled pattern.
Mon: 57/48 – Cloudy; scattered rain, fall chill returns.
