The National Weather Service in Paducah says that temperatures are expected to continue their slow upward trend over the New Year’s holiday weekend. Highs will generally remain in the 40s throughout the weekend, while overnight lows will dip into the chilly but manageable 25 to 35-degree range. If you’re heading out to celebrate tonight, be sure to keep a coat handy, as conditions will stay crisp.
As we move into Thursday, New Year’s Day, weather conditions should remain typical for this time of year, with no unusual temperature swings anticipated.
The primary question on many minds is whether we’ll see rain. Forecasters have been monitoring a weather system set to move through later this week. The latest data indicates that the best chance for precipitation—mainly light showers—will be over the southern half of the region, primarily Friday afternoon and evening. However, the likelihood is low, with only a 10–30% chance, and any rainfall should be light, with less than a tenth of an inch expected.
Looking past Friday, a brief surge of cooler air is expected on Saturday behind the system, which will keep high temperatures below normal for the day.
The forecast turns more optimistic as we move into Sunday and especially Monday, when a significant warming trend is anticipated. Increasing heights aloft and low-level warm advection will allow temperatures to climb above the 50-degree mark, and highs could even approach 60 degrees.