LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW)  – After a night of intense thunderstorms, central and eastern Kentucky remain in the crosshairs for more rounds of heavy rain and severe weather throughout Thursday. A Level 2 (Slight) Severe Risk remains in place for the entire area, while a significant Level 3 (Moderate) flash flood risk covers the Bluegrass region into northern Kentucky. Additional rounds of heavy rain, strong wind gusts, and isolated large hail are expected, particularly across southern Kentucky, where a low-end tornado risk remains in play throughout the day and into the night. For the Bluegrass region, this will be a significantly impactful event. Thunderstorms will remain widespread, with multiple rounds expected to train over the same areas, increasing the flood threat. Rainfall rates could reach up to half an inch per hour or more, contributing to rising streams and rivers, as well as flash flooding concerns in poor drainage areas. Those in flood-prone locations should remain vigilant and prepared to seek higher ground if necessary. Short-Term Forecast: Thursday – Friday Today’s storms are fueled by a stalled frontal boundary draped across central Kentucky, interacting with deep moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. A warm front lifting northward from Tennessee into southern Kentucky this afternoon will increase instability, bringing the potential for scattered severe storms. In southern Kentucky, large hail, damaging wind gusts, and isolated tornadoes remain possible, especially along and south of the Hal Rogers Parkway/KY-80 corridor. Heading into tonight and Friday, the front will begin to lift slightly north, potentially providing a brief break in heavier rainfall for portions of southern Kentucky. However, showers and storms will persist, particularly from the Bluegrass region northward, keeping the flood risk elevated. While the severe threat diminishes somewhat on Friday, areas north of I-64 could still see additional rounds of heavy rain. By the end of Friday, some locations may have already picked up between 3-6 inches of rain since Wednesday night. Weekend Forecast: More Heavy Rain & Strong Storms While we may catch a lull in rainfall late Friday into Saturday, another potent round of storms is set to arrive late Saturday night into Sunday morning. A Level 2 (Slight) Severe Risk and a Level 3 (Moderate) Flood Risk have already been issued for Saturday into Saturday night. This next wave of rain could push total rainfall amounts to near 8-9 inches across parts of central Kentucky by the end of the weekend—posing a serious risk for flash flooding and river flooding. The strong-to-severe storm risk also increases again Saturday night, with damaging winds, hail, and isolated tornadoes once again in play. By Sunday evening, colder air will finally arrive behind the departing system, bringing a sharp drop in temperatures into next week. Early Next Week: Colder Air Moves In By Monday, the long-awaited push of cooler air settles in. Highs will struggle to reach the 50s, with overnight lows dipping into the 30s. There’s even potential for frost or a light freeze early Tuesday morning as temperatures tumble into the upper 20s and low 30s. Some areas could see lingering showers, and if temperatures drop low enough, a few flakes of snow aren’t out of the question in the highest elevations. However, drier conditions should return by midweek, with temperatures gradually rebounding closer to seasonal norms. Categories: Featured, Local Weather Headlines, Storm Team Weather Blog, Weather, Weather Forecast Tags: ABC 36 Hour Forecast, ABC 36 Second Forecast, ABC 36 Storm Team Weather Impact Day, Meteorologist Dillon Gaudet, weather forecast, Weather Impact Day, Weather Video, Weekend Forecast ...read more read less