Paducah, KY – Western Kentucky may enter a wetter and cooler pattern for the Thanksgiving travel window, as new federal outlooks show above-normal precipitation from November 23 through November 29.
According to the Climate Prediction Center’s 8–14 Day Outlook, western Kentucky sits in a 40–50% probability zone for wetter-than-normal conditions. While temperatures may remain too warm for widespread snow, shallow cold air from the Midwest could produce brief mixed precipitation in some areas.
Paducah, Owensboro, and Hopkinsville all sit within the elevated precipitation corridor. With many systems expected to track across the central U.S., timing during peak travel days may produce pockets of heavy rain, slick roads, or brief mix overnight.
Thanksgiving week brings heavy travel volume along I-24, the Western Kentucky Parkway, and US-60, where even cold rain can reduce speeds. Air travel delays are also possible at Barkley Regional Airport in Paducah.
Forecasters expect more details as short-range models refine individual systems next week.
