Chilly mornings give way to milder afternoons across central and eastern Kentucky We’re starting the day on a cold but calm note across the region, with temperatures sitting in the mid to upper 20s under mostly clear skies. With melting snow still lingering in spots, some areas are dealing with patchy frost and black ice early this morning. If you’re heading out the door, give yourself a few extra minutes, both for defrosting the windshield and for slick spots on roads and sidewalks. Thankfully, sunshine will help us warm back into the low 40s this afternoon. Clouds will slowly increase later today, but conditions stay dry and quiet. Another cold night brings a return of slick spots Tonight will once again be cold, with temperatures dropping back into the mid 20s across much of the area. With light winds and leftover moisture from snow melt, there’s another chance for refreezing overnight. That means patchy black ice could develop again, especially on bridges and shaded areas. It’s a quiet night weather-wise, but still one where caution is important if you’re out late or early Friday morning. Milder air settles in for Friday and Valentine’s Day Friday brings a noticeable warm-up as sunshine returns and temperatures climb into the upper 40s. Winds will slowly shift out of the south, helping keep the warming trend going. Valentine’s Day is shaping up beautifully across Kentucky. Expect partly sunny skies and highs in the low 50s, a great day to get outside or make those dinner plans without worrying about winter weather. Rain moves in late Saturday and lingers through Sunday Changes arrive this weekend as a stronger system moves across the Southeast. Clouds will increase Saturday evening, and rain will begin developing late Saturday night. Widespread rain is expected through much of Sunday, with central and southern Kentucky picking up the highest totals. Many locations could see between three-quarters of an inch to over an inch of rain before it clears out Sunday afternoon. While flooding isn’t expected to be a major concern, some ponding in low-lying areas will be possible during heavier downpours. Warmer and drier weather returns next week Once the rain moves out, high pressure builds back in to start next week. Presidents Day looks sunny and pleasant with temperatures climbing into the mid 50s. The warming trend continues Tuesday and Wednesday, when some areas could reach the low to even mid 60s, a big shift from the icy mornings we’ve been dealing with lately. ABC 36 Storm Team 36-Hour Forecast Thursday: Partly sunny and chilly early, warming into the low 40s by afternoon. Thursday Night: Mostly clear and cold. Lows fall into the mid 20s with patchy black ice possible. Friday Night: Partly cloudy and not as cold. Temperatures near freezing with calmer conditions. Categories: Featured, Local Weather Headlines, Storm Team Weather Blog, Weather, Weather Forecast Tags: central Kentucky temperature outlook, central kentucky weather, eastern Kentucky forecast, eastern Kentucky rain forecast, Kentucky cold mornings, Kentucky extended forecast, Kentucky rain chances, Kentucky temperatures rising, Kentucky warming trend, Kentucky weather update, Kentucky weekend rain, Kentucky winter conditions, Lexington KY weather ...read more read less