LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – A warm front is lifting through the region to start your Friday, setting the stage for a significant warm-up this afternoon. A few showers and perhaps a thunderstorm are possible early in the day, but temperatures will quickly surge into the upper 70s, potenti ally reaching 80 degrees in some spots. This warmth will be accompanied by a gusty southerly breeze. While an isolated pop-up shower or rumble of thunder could develop late this afternoon and into the early evening, chances remain low. The weekend will feature above-average warmth with additional chances for showers and storms. A weak system will bring scattered rain showers Saturday afternoon and evening, but the bigger system arrives late Sunday into Sunday night. The ABC 36 Storm Team has now designated Sunday evening through Monday morning as a Weather Impact Day for the entire viewing area. Central Kentucky is now under a Level 3 out of 5 severe risk for Sunday night, while eastern Kentucky falls under at least a Level 2 risk for Monday. Severe Weather Potential: Sunday Night into Monday Morning Confidence continues to grow in a strong storm system arriving late Sunday night into early Monday. A deepening low-pressure system will drag a strong cold front through the Ohio Valley, bringing the threat of severe thunderstorms overnight. All modes of severe weather—damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes—will be possible, especially in central Kentucky. The greatest concern is for storms to remain strong into the overnight hours, making it critical to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts before heading to bed Sunday night. Big Temperature Drop to End March & Start April Following Monday’s storm system, temperatures will take a sharp downturn as cooler air filters in. Highs on Monday will start in the 60s but fall throughout the day. By Tuesday morning, temperatures will dip into the 30s, potentially bringing a frost risk. The cool spell will be short-lived, however, as another strong system approaches by midweek, bringing renewed chances for rain and storms late Wednesday into Wednesday night. Bottom Line: Enjoy the warmth this weekend but stay weather-aware Sunday night into Monday morning. Severe storms are possible, especially for central Kentucky, with damaging winds and isolated tornadoes as key threats. Make sure to have your weather alerts enabled and a safety plan in place. Cooler weather follows to start April, but another active system arrives midweek. Categories: Featured, Local Weather Headlines, Storm Team Weather Blog, Weather, Weather Forecast Tags: ABC 36 Hour Forecast, ABC 36 Second Forecast, Kentucky, Lexington, Meteorologist Dillon Gaudet, weather forecast, Weather Impact Day, Weather Video, Weekend Forecast ...read more read less