Recently, much of Eastern Kentucky has experienced abnormally dry and even drought-like conditions. However, officials with the National Weather Service predict that upcoming weather conditions will bring some much-needed rain to the Appalachian regions of the Commonwealth.
Philomon Geertson, lead meteorologist with the NWS in Jackson, said the combination of Thursday’s rain with the potential showers forming on Friday are going to make the weekend much cooler.
“Between these two fronts coming in, that should put a significant dent in the abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions that are currently being experienced across Eastern Kentucky,” he said.
However, this string of rainy and even stormy conditions doesn’t reflect a broader trend in the weather going into fall. Geertson said it is generally Kentucky’s dryest season and officials predict this year will be no different.
“At this point we are getting some much needed, beneficial rainfall but I wouldn’t necessarily count on this being a pattern change towards a consistently moist pattern, at least in the two-to-three-week range,” he said.
Geertson said while the rain is welcome for many Kentuckians, it may also pose a threat to some areas of the state. He added that many areas unaffected by the drought have a marginal risk of flash flooding and the strong winds and rain have a possibility of damaging property as the weather continues. Officials advise people to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of themselves and their property.