Active Spring Pattern To Begin May

Howdy friends, and happy first day of May! It’s hard to believe how fast 2019 has been going by. We ended April with some pretty good weather, but unfortunately some changes are coming. The forecast calls for an active spring pattern to begin May.

Cant believe it's May! (Giphy) — Cant believe it’s May! (Giphy)

Breezy Wednesday

We’ll start off our Hump Day with gusty winds and increasing cloud cover. Southwest winds are at 10-15 mph, and wind gusts up to 30 mph are possible today. These strong winds will help make it another muggy day.

Gusty Wednesday as southwest winds up to 20 mph are possible today. (Pivotal Weather) — Southwest wind gusts up to 30 mph are possible today. (Pivotal Weather)

Temperatures will max out around 85ºF, with dew point temperatures in the mid 60s. A low pressure system off to the west will be bringing in rain chances later today.

By the evening hours, we can expect to see some showers and a few storms. Overall, storms should remain marginal, but a few strong storms are possible.

I mean, it is spring after all. Showers and storms are a part of it. (Giphy)

Rainfall totals should also remain rather light, unless caught in a thunderstorm. Chance of rain showers continue overnight as temperatures dip to around 65ºF.

Showers/Storms Continue For Thursday

Let’s be honest, folks…it’s springtime, so showers and storms are a part of it. The low pressure system will take its time to pass over our area.

Maximum temperatures for tomorrow will reach 82ºF, under cloudy skies. Strong southwest winds will again be present with wind gusts up to 20 mph.

All day showers and storms possible. (Pivotal Weather)

Rain showers and storms will be possible throughout the entire day tomorrow, from morning to night. The Storm Prediction Center has placed part of our region in a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) on Thursday, so there is a possibility of some severe storms tomorrow.

Slight risk for severe storms on Thursday. (SPC)

Rainfall amounts could measure up to 1/4 of an inch, but locally higher amounts are possible if caught in a thunderstorm. Overnight, temperatures will drop to around 60ºF, with rainy conditions continuing. The image below shows the GFS indicating rain showers at 1 AM on Friday morning.

GFS showing continued showers/storms at 1 AM on Friday. (Pivotal Weather)

Derby Weekend

Since we have a pretty big weekend coming up, Friday will be included in the weekend forecast.

Friday: Continued chance of showers and storms, with high temperatures around 78ºF. Precipitation chances will continue overnight, with low temperatures dipping to 60ºF.

Continued showers on Friday. (Pivotal Weather)

Derby Day: Unfortunately, rain showers will stick around for the Kentucky Derby. Temperatures will be much cooler though as the cold front finally passes through.

This is what Derby will probably look like. (Giphy)

High temperatures will be around 70ºF. Showers are possible in the morning, and heavier showers and a thunderstorm will be possible during the afternoon.

Rain showers and storms possible for Derby. (Pivotal Weather)

Showers should *finally* move out by the late hours on Saturday/early Sunday morning. Temperatures will be around 55ºF, a bit cooler thanks to that cold front.

Sunday: A return of partly sunny skies, with high temperatures reaching 75ºF. Much calmer weather will be needed after the continuous streak of springtime showers and storms. Skies will remain clear overnight, with temperatures dropping to 55ºF. High pressure filters in after this low pressure, so sunshine will stick around for the start of the new week.

That wraps up today’s forecast. Hope you have a great Wednesday and rest of the week! Make sure to look for the Afternoon Video Update on Facebook and the Afternoon Weather Story on Twitter/Instagram, only on @wxornotBG.