LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – Spring may be officially here, but it sure doesn’t feel like it! A gusty cold front has swept through the region, leaving behind much colder temperatures, breezy conditions, and off-and-on showers today. Highs will struggle to climb out of the low 40s, and w ith a stiff westerly breeze, it will feel even colder. If you’re heading downtown for the NCAA Tournament games, be sure to bundle up—it’s going to be a raw, blustery day. Thursday: Cold, Breezy, and Showery Temperatures peaked early this morning in the lower 50s, but as cold air continues to rush in, afternoon readings will settle in the lower 40s. It will be a damp and dreary day, with intermittent rain showers continuing through the afternoon. The northwesterly breeze will persist at 10-20 mph, making it feel even chillier. By late afternoon and early evening, colder air could allow a few snowflakes to mix in, especially in the higher elevations of southeastern Kentucky. However, no accumulations or travel impacts are expected. As skies clear out tonight, temperatures will drop into the 20s, leading to a hard freeze by Friday morning. Friday: Cold Start, Milder Afternoon The deep chill will linger Friday morning, with lows in the mid-20s. If you have any early spring plants outdoors, be sure to protect them from the freeze. However, thanks to high pressure moving in and a shift to a southwesterly breeze, temperatures will rebound nicely. Highs will return to the mid-to-upper 50s under mostly sunny skies—still a bit below average, but much more comfortable than today. Saturday: Dry and Mild Before the Next System A weak system moving through late Friday night may bring a few sprinkles or light showers, but most areas will stay dry. The good news? Saturday looks better than previously expected, with highs climbing back to the upper 50s to near 60 under partly cloudy skies. Sunday: Watching for Stronger Storms The next significant weather system arrives Sunday into Monday, bringing widespread rain and the potential for strong storms. The Storm Prediction Center has already highlighted south-central Kentucky for a 15% or greater severe weather risk. This system will pull in warm, moist air ahead of a strong cold front, allowing temperatures to climb into the mid-to-upper 60s Sunday afternoon. Thunderstorms are expected to develop late Sunday and continue into the evening, with damaging winds and heavy rainfall possible. We’ll be closely monitoring this setup as details come into better focus. Next Week: Cooler and Unsettled Behind Sunday’s system, cooler air will return, dropping highs back into the low-to-mid 50s Monday and Tuesday. A deep trough will linger over the region, keeping us in a cool and somewhat unsettled pattern with occasional showers possible through midweek. 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