LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – After a chilly start to the morning, St. Patrick’s Day will see clearing skies and a gradual warm-up. Some areas even saw a few stray snowflakes early this morning, but as drier air pushes in, clouds will give way to more sunshine by the afternoon. Highs wil l still be on the cooler side, only reaching the low 50s, which is slightly below normal for mid-March. Warming Trend Ahead A big temperature turnaround is on the way for Tuesday. With a steady southerly breeze, temperatures will climb into the low 70s by the afternoon, making for a fantastic weather day across central and eastern Kentucky. This warming trend will continue into Wednesday, but the increasing winds will be a sign of changes ahead. Gusts could exceed 30 mph at times as a strong cold front approaches from the west. Storms & Sharp Temperature Drop Wednesday Night into Thursday By Wednesday evening, the approaching front will trigger showers and storms across the region, lasting into the overnight hours. While widespread severe weather isn’t expected at this time, some storms could be on the stronger side, with gusty winds being the main concern. Behind the front, temperatures will take a significant tumble. Afternoon highs on Thursday will struggle to reach the mid-40s, possibly even lower, making for a much colder day compared to the start of the week. As colder air moves in, some lingering moisture could lead to light snow showers or a wintry mix Thursday. Brief Improvement Before Another Weekend System Friday will bring a brief break in the active weather, featuring dry conditions and seasonable temperatures. However, another weather system is set to arrive over the weekend, bringing increased rain chances by Saturday night into Sunday. While this system looks weaker than the midweek front, it will still provide another period of unsettled weather. Categories: Featured, Local Weather Headlines, Storm Team Weather Blog, Weather, Weather Forecast Tags: ABC 36 Hour Forecast, ABC 36 Second Forecast, Meteorologist Dillon Gaudet, weather forecast, Weather Video, Weekend Forecast ...read more read less